• Full Time (fixed term contract until June 2025)

• Band 6, $93,000 to $102,000 plus 10.5% super

• Coburg Melbourne

This is a designated position under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About the organisation

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council, proudly diverse. Our council area includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Pascoe Vale, Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park, and Gowanbrae, and sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek. Our city is vibrant and energetic, and is known for its active community, and creative industries. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. Merri-bek City Council has adopted a Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality. In 2022, following a formal request by the Traditional Owner representatives of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, the Council went through a major process to change its name. In a ceremony, Elders offered three Woi-wurrung words as options for new names. A community consultation process chose “Merri-bek” which means “rocky country” in Woi-wurrung.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants with a disability, people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age, and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and have zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.

Our organisation vision is: One team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

About the role

This is a newly developed role and will be responsible for contributing to the implementation of the First Peoples Employment Plan. This involves supporting recruitment and cultural awareness and safety work around Council to become an employer of choice. Through this work you will contribute to the growth of First Peoples employment and development opportunities at Council.

Council’s leadership is deeply committed to supporting the work of this role and to ensuring the success of the First Peoples Employment Plan.

The successful candidate would join the People and Safety Team; this branch consists of Human Resources Business Partnering, Human Resources Admin, Safety, Child Safe, Payroll, Learning and Development, and Recruitment. This role will report to Merri-bek's Recruitment Business Partner.

For a full description of the role, please contact Pipeline Talent at [email protected] using the subject line: First Peoples Employment Officer - Merri-bek City Council enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About you

This position is integral to leading some of the actions within our First Peoples Employment Plan, supporting further work in our Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) and Workforce Plan. This includes having the ability to review a range of organisational policies and procedures and creating strategic improvements to our employment practices in areas of recruitment attraction, selection and onboarding, retention, mentorship, and career pathways. As the First Peoples Employment Officer, you will work with internal stakeholders, organisations, and vendors in managing the project work that will have a positive impact on organisational change and safety for our First People employees.

Selection Criteria

1. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Able to demonstrate a genuine understanding of the responsibilities that this entails, and have the presence, and influence to support the Council’s important work.
2. Demonstrated experience or capacity to develop and implement First Peoples’ recruitment and retention’ strategies across a large organisation; including the support in design and delivery of cultural safety training.
3. Experience driving positive change, leading, and delivering initiatives that measurably improve diversity and inclusion outcomes.
4. Strong interest in advocacy, policy, strategy, change, and project management to lead the development and implementation of plans in collaboration with a range of stakeholders.
5. Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the demonstrated ability to discuss and partner with others to influence change.
6. Willingness and ability to undergo probity checks, including but not limited to National Police Check, and commitment to working at a Child-Safe Organisation.
7. Relevant tertiary qualification would be highly regarded but is not essential.

What we can offer you

• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options (hybrid working arrangements)
• Monthly RDO
• Salary sacrifice options
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs
• Primary and secondary carer parental leave
• Ceremonial leave, Pandemic, Gender affirmation & Family violence leave
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave.

How to apply

All applications must be made in writing and include the following:

• Up to date CV
• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining why you have applied for the position and how you meet the seven (7) selection criteria of the position.

Applications are to be submitted through clicking Apply Now.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

How to get more information

Additional information is available in the role description or by contacting the team.

Lily Coleman | Bundjalung

Senior Recruitment Consultant

[email protected] using the subject line: First Peoples Employment Officer - Merri-bek City Council enquiry via EthicalJobs.

02 8001 6603| 0457 581 174.