Forest Officer

EMAC is a formally recognised Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP), with responsibilities for protecting and managing cultural heritage across a broader area extending to Winchelsea and Landsborough.

As the representative body for Eastern Maar citizens, EMAC leads the advancement of native title rights and interests, cultural heritage protection, high-quality policy advice, and initiatives aligned with the inherent rights, aspirations, and independence of its people.

Purpose of the Position

The Forest Officer will support planning and management of healthy forests and related projects across the Eastern Maar Ancestral estate.

The Forest Officer will foster strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, maintaining and building connections with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Great Ocean Road Coasts and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), Parks Victoria, Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC), Melbourne University, and other agencies involved in land management and environmental research, to share knowledge and further Eastern Maar's future position in forest management.

The Forest Officer will be representing, liaising, and organising advice from Eastern Maar Elders and Citizens in planning and development of the proposed Gadubanud Meerreeng Coastal Trail, supporting an established Working Group, to ensure Eastern Maar rights, assertions, cultural obligations and opportunities are considered throughout this and other relevant projects.

This position will work with the Eastern Maar community to understand, document and advocate for their rights, assertions and cultural obligations for Forest Country in finalising the draft Wooroo Woorook (Forest Country) Statement, and will participate in monitoring and on ground actions in forest management, including fire.

Key Roles And Responsibilities

Be EMAC's operational point of contact for Gadubanud Meerreeng Coastal Trail project related matters, including:

• Representing, liaising, and organising flow of advice from Eastern Maar Elders and Citizens to understand, document and advocate for their rights, assertions and cultural obligations for Forest Country.
• Working with DEECA, GORCAPA, CEC and other organisations, to develop, facilitate or coordinate any collective and common planning and project initiatives related to the Gadubanud Meerreeng Coastal Trail, Resilient Forests, and other relevant projects.
• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of forest/ trail related activities or opportunities such as Aboriginal businesses and/or employment; naming; signage and interpretation.
• Promote, educate and advocate for EMAC (and the members and Eastern Maar community it represents), its ways of working and aspirations and assertions.
• Build capacity and share knowledge related to biocultural landscape management including the completion of Eastern Maar's Wooroo Woorook Statement.

Key Selection Criteria

• Ability to communicate respectfully, sensitively and effectively with Eastern Maar Citizens and all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated experience of working collaboratively and influencing across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Sound project management skills with ability to take initiative and manage issues.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to communicate ideas using a wide range of tools.
• Proficiency in the use of computer and telecommunications technology.

Working with EMAC - Our offer to you

At EMAC, We Are Committed To Fostering a Supportive, Culturally Safe, And Empowering Work Environment. When You Join Our Team, You'll Enjoy

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements are available, subject to written agreement.
• Salary packaging benefits are available in accordance with the ATO-approved rates for Public Benevolent Institutions, currently up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment benefits up to $2,650 per year.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• A friendly and supportive culture.
• Professional development opportunities.

See the position description attached below for further information about this role.

nrmjobs.com.au/job/20029512