Overview of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (Wurundjeri Corporation) is a Registered Aboriginal Party appointed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The Corporation holds statutory responsibilities for the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage objects and places in Victoria. Additional functions of the corporation include, research, environmental land management, cross-cultural education, traditional welcome to country and smoking ceremonies, and cultural consultations.

Narrap Unit

The Narrap Unit is Natural Resource Management (NRM) department of the Wurundjeri Corporation. The unit is committed to creating culturally meaningful and secure work for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and other Aboriginal people through delivering high quality environmental work across Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.

NRM is a multi-layered sector that requires skills in on-ground works, participation in policy, science/reporting skill, and skill with broader community engagement. It is also a complex regulatory and policy framework for operation and the unit works with multiple stakeholders with differing levels of influence and capacity.

Whilst predominantly focused on delivering on Country management and restoration work, the Narrap Unit’s work also includes project design and management, as well as policy and strategy participation relating to the health and management of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.

Role Purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced leader to become the Forest and Fire Program Lead on a full-time basis. In this newly created role, you will be responsible for leading the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Forest and Fire program and progressing Wurundjeri objectives and visions for the management of Country. This position will have an important role in collating and articulating Wurundjeri Corporations objectives relating to forest and fire policies and activities. You will play also an active role in planning and coordinating forest and fire activities. This position will be based within the Narrap Unit and will work closely with the unit’s Manager and on-ground Ranger team.

An essential responsibility of this position is to work alongside and provide guidance to two Wurundjeri trainees, to help build internal capacity with Wurundjeri Corporation. The role is primarily based in Healesville, with options for flexible works arrangements including working from the Abbotsford Convent office and at home.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the newly created Forest and Fire Program to strategically progress Wurundjeri’s objectives, goals and visions for the management of Country
• Engage with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung community to understand objectives for the management of Country, and clearly communicate these to external stakeholders
• Lead the development of Country management strategic planning, particularly in relation to forests and fire
• Work closely with the Narrap Unit Manager to plan and coordinate forest and fire activities across Country
• Act as primary point of contact for forest and fire related activities across Wurundjeri Country
• Liaise with state government departments and agencies to progress Wurundjeri Corporations objectives in forest and fire, and where requested represent the Wurundjeri Corporation in meetings
• Advocate for Wurundjeri rights and interests as Traditional Owners
• Participate in developing, reviewing and responding to policy both internal and external
• Work alongside, provide guidance and manager two Wurundjeri trainees
• Other reasonable duties as required.

Essential Role Competencies

• Tertiary qualification or relevant industry experience in NRM, forest/fire ecology, environmental science, public policy or similar
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in relevant sector
• A strong team leader capable of delegating work and capable of directing and supporting the strategic development of the program
• An understanding of the importance of Country to Traditional Owners
• Experience working with government agencies
• A strong understand of Victorian environmental, forestry and fire sectors including on-ground operations and policy
• An ability to unpack and clearly communicate complex and technical information to a variety of audiences
• Contacts and relationships within the Victorian NRM, fire and forest sector
• Experience managing a small team, ideally including experience training and mentoring staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literacy including experience working with Excel and Word 

Desirable Role Competencies

• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be highly regarded
• General Fire Fighting accreditation or higher and on-ground fire experience
• Experience in NRM, fire and/or forestry delivery planning

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this important role. 

For all enquiries, Contact Sean Hunter: 0488 006 176 Email: [email protected], using the subject line: Forest and Fire Program Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.