Australia's natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future. Kakadu National Park is a world-heritage listed site for its natural and cultural values, and one of three national parks, leased by their Aboriginal owners to the Director of National Parks, and jointly managed by Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Parks Australia assists with ongoing management of the park's natural and cultural heritage. In addition to ongoing management of the park's natural and cultural heritage, this branch also manages strategic priorities for Parks Australia, managing a range of strategic planning and major capital projects across the three jointly managed parks. The Cultural Heritage Team works side by side with Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners to look after Kakadu's cultural values. Guided by Traditional Owner led decision making, we help Bininj/Mungguy care for rock art, sacred sites and cultural landscapes, and support the passing on of knowledge to future generations. We work closely with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal organisations, ranger groups, researchers and tourism partners to keep Kakadu's culture strong and thriving. The key duties of the position include Under the supervision of the EL1 Manager Culture, working in a small team and in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Senior Cultural Heritage Coordinator will help to implement the delivery of Kakadu's cultural heritage program, guided by park management governance and policies including the cultural heritage working group, An-Garragen - Cultural Heritage Management Plan, the Bim Strategy, and associated action plans. This role works closely with Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners and other partners to protect, manage and promote Kakadu's cultural values, and involves a mix of office-based coordination, stakeholder engagement, and field-based work across the park. Key duties include: Program leadership - Coordinate and implement cultural heritage activities and projects across Kakadu, ensuring cultural knowledge, law and custom guide all decision-making. Consultation and engagement - Facilitate effective consultation with Traditional Owners, ranger groups, Aboriginal organisations, researchers, and other stakeholders to plan, deliver and review cultural heritage work. Field-based activities - Collect field data on the monitoring and maintenance of cultural and historic heritage places using digital data capture devices, and undertake site visits for recording, assessment, and conservation. Oral histories and cultural records - Work with Bininj/Mungguy to record, collate and archive oral histories, cultural narratives and stories, ensuring sensitive and secure management of cultural information in line with CARE principles and Indigenous data sovereignty. Cultural camps and activities - Support and participate in on-Country cultural camps and Traditional Owner-led activities that strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer. Risk management - Identify emerging issues or risks to cultural and historic heritage, analyse potential impacts, and determine appropriate actions to correct, prevent or mitigate risks. Information management - Maintain and update the park's cultural heritage databases and records management systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Education and awareness - Deliver programs related to the Cultural Information Management System (CIMS), and promote cultural heritage awareness among park staff, visitors, and external partners. Training and mentoring - Provide on-the-job training, advice, and guidance to staff, supporting skill development in a cross-cultural workplace. Program integration - Work with other park sections to ensure cultural heritage considerations are embedded in fire management, feral animal and weed control, tourism planning and infrastructure works. Reporting and compliance - Monitor and report on cultural heritage programs to the Kakadu Board of Management and other forums, ensuring work aligns with management plans and legislative requirements. Team contribution - Participate in other activities that support the work of the park and contribute to a positive, respectful, and collaborative team culture. This position requires working both in an office environment and on Country, sometimes in remote and challenging conditions, and plays a central role in ensuring Kakadu's living cultural landscape is cared for now and into the future.
