Collections Officer, First Nations (Id)

Collections Officer, First Nations (ID)

Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change  

About the Role 

A core pillar for the AM is to ‘Be a Leader and Advocate for First Nations History’ and to enhance our workforce in the First Nations Collection area. This is a full time temporary role (2 years, with the possibility of extension) in our First Nations Division.

The Collections Officer, First Nations is an identified position responsible for the engagement, interpretation, research, logistics, storage, and handling aspects of the Australian Museum’s First Nations Cultural Collection located across several AM sites.

The Collections Officer, First Nations works within a small team (led by the Head of First Nations Collections & Research) to support the curation and appropriate custodial care of the AM’s First Nations Cultural Collection, including community consultations and collaboration on projects, and online content to ensure the information shared is culturally appropriate, community-led and enriches the care and understanding of the Collection.

Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM

·      Role Description 

·      AM Candidate Pack

You will be paid a competitive annual salary $79,032 - $86,539, plus employer's contribution to superannuation (currently 11%) and annual leave loading.

About You  

To be successful in this role you will have:

·        An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural practices, including Aboriginal cultural heritage management and cultural protocols. 

·        Proven ability to develop and care for cultural collections of high quality, including the ability to recognise the quality of objects, their conditions, provenance, and authenticity. 

·        Demonstrated experience in contemporary collection management practices, including the use of databases such as KE EMu.

·        Data manipulation and database skills, including data entry, data clean up, Excel proficiency, and file management.

·        Experience in the professional handling, packing, transport and storage of cultural objects.

·        Understanding of culturally appropriate collection practices, cultural awareness, and terminology in order to perform in processes that are culturally aware and appropriate. Capacity to embed ICIP into work practice.

·        Proven record in community consultation, especially with First Nations, Pasifika, and/or CALD (cultures and languages other than English) communities.

·        Holds a current full NSW Driver’s Licence. The role holder must be prepared to travel between the AM’s various sites which holds its collections, and to external stakeholders as needed to support the work of the First Nations Collections team. 

Essential requirements 

·       Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Aboriginality/Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). 

·       Appropriate approved tertiary qualifications in a relevant subject area, or relevant equivalent professional practice and research experience. 

About The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.  

Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction 

The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.