AddressVACANT POSITION: SEA COUNTRY COORDINATOR
Salary Package Range: $99,000-$112,000
Want to work with a Traditional Owners, Indigenous Rangers and a diverse variety of stakeholders on some of the most spectacular and remote Kimberley coastline? Based at Dambimangari and working in close partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, this role is responsible for operations, partnerships, budgets and staff, and oversees management of Dambimangari Sea Country and the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park under the strategic direction of the Joint Management Body.
- Competitive salary package ($99,000-$112,000) plus super with salary sacrificing up to $15,899.
- Training and development opportunities in a supportive team environment.
- 5-weeks annual leave with office closure over the Christmas period.
The Sea Country Coordinator is responsible for the oversight and management of Dambimangari Sea Country and Lalang-gaddam Marine Park, including operations, staff, budgets and partnerships. The position is based within the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) and takes strategic direction from the Joint Management Body (JMB) to ensure programs align with Traditional Owners aspirations. Supported by the Healthy Country Manager and working collaboratively with the Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions (DBCA), the Sea Country Coordinator will manage key partnerships and stakeholder engagement, particularly the Joint Management Agreement and Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between DAC and the DBCA in line with the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park Management Plan 2022.
The position also takes the lead in planning of all Dambimangari Sea Country operations and projects, working collaboratively with the DAC Healthy Country team and DBCA to plan both DAC-led activities and joint DBCA-DAC marine park patrols, ensuring programs align with both the DAC Healthy Country Plan 2023-32 and the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park Management Plan.
About the Role:
The Sea Country Coordinator is responsible for the oversight and management of Dambimangari Sea Country and Lalang-gaddam Marine Park, including operations, staff, budgets and partnerships. The position is based within the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) and takes strategic direction from the Joint Management Body (JMB) to ensure programs align with Traditional Owners aspirations. Supported by the Healthy Country Manager and working collaboratively with the Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions (DBCA), the Sea Country Coordinator will manage key partnerships and stakeholder engagement, particularly the Joint Management Agreement and Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) between DAC and the DBCA in line with the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park Management Plan 2022.
The position also takes the lead in planning of all Dambimangari Sea Country operations and projects, working collaboratively with the DAC Healthy Country team and DBCA to plan both DAC-led activities and joint DBCA-DAC marine park patrols, ensuring programs align with both the DAC Healthy Country Plan 2023-32 and the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park Management Plan.
About Us:
We are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters along the north-west Kimberley coastline, extending from the Robinson River, just north of Derby to the Prince Regent River in the far north of the Kimberley region in WA. It has been our home for many thousands of years. We carry the cultural responsibilities of our ancestors to look after Country. Our Country is of great conservation significance, home to many threatened and endemic species, mighty rivers, coral reefs, powerful whirlpools, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and more than 700 islands.
Dambeemangaddee are part of the Wandjina Woongudd community. We all share a unique body of beliefs and cultural practices going back to Lalai, the Dreaming when the creator beings Wandjina and Woongudd helped shape the land, sea, heaven, and all living things in our Country. They set out how we must look after culture, plants, animals, people, and country to keep them healthy. We maintain strong connections to our land through our Law, Culture, songs and stories. We visit our Country when we can and have set up homeland communities on our remote coastline. We want to return to Country, live on our homelands, regain control, and teach future generations.
About the Corporation:
Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) provides a unique opportunity to work closely with Aboriginal people in one of the most remote and spectacular regions of the Kimberley. DAC is a small Aboriginal Corporation dedicated to the benefit of our members, Dambimangari Traditional Owners. DAC is the governing body for all Dambimangari business on behalf of our members, and in line with traditional Law and Culture. We employ more than 30 staff, the majority of whom are Traditional Owners. The Corporation’s key functions include:
- Managing Native Title including engaging with mining, tourism and other access and development proposals.
- Members Services like health and education.
- Land and sea management (Indigenous Protected Area, Ranger Program & Jointly Managed Marine Park).
- Cultural heritage management.
- Economic development.
- Visitor management.
- Cultural programs.
- Remote infrastructure.
- Corporate Services including finance, administration and payroll.
The Healthy Country Team and Ranger program provides jobs for our young people and supports them to work on Country and reconnect with culture. The broader Healthy Country Team consists of the Ranger operations, led by the Ranger Coordinator and supported by the Marine Operations Officer, seven full-time and ten casual rangers, both men and women, working across land and sea Country.
The Ranger team is supported by a Healthy Country Manager, Ranger Coordinator, Marine Operations Officer, Marine Park Joint Management team and other staff. They also work closely with the Visitor Management team and new Cultural Programs Team. Ranger Operations are overseen by the Healthy Country Advisory Committee and the Marine Park Joint Management Body. The Dambimangari Rangers deliver activities across the Indigenous Protected Area and Lalang-gaddam Marine Park including:
- Fire management, including aerial burning.
- Feral animal & weed management.
- Biodiversity and threatened species.
- Cultural heritage management.
- Visitor management and education.
- Marine Park Patrols and Sea Country science.
- Back to Country trips and community events.
- Biosecurity.
- Indigenous knowledge transfer.
- Training and development.
What We Are Looking For:
You will be someone with strong experience in diverse and collaborative stakeholder management, including managing complex projects and supervising and motivating teams. We’re looking for someone with background in marine science, policy or Indigenous-led conservation, with high attention to detail, professional flexibility and adaptability. You will be comfortable working in a cross-cultural setting, keen to further develop your knowledge of Indigenous culture and explore the remote Kimberley. You will be a leader who has strong financial management, including the ability to source new grant funding and partnerships. You are a positive problem-solver who can work under pressure and respond quickly to change in a dynamic, remote and challenging work environment.
Duties will include:
- Coordinate and maximise Dambimangari participation in management of the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park, including Joint Management, governance and operations, ensuring alignment with JMB priorities as set out in the Lalang-gaddam Marine Park Joint Management Plan 2022, and with DAC priorities and Traditional Owner aspirations as set out the DAC Healthy Country Plan.
- Work with the Marine Operations Officer and DBCA to develop a joint annual work plan for all marine park operations, including both DAC-led and joint DBCA-DAC activities.
- In collaboration with DBCA and with support from the Marine Park Project Officer, plan & coordinate regular meetings of the Marine Park JMB and other sub-committees to seek guidance and ensure programs align with the ILUA and Joint Management Agreement and support Traditional Owner aspirations.
- Work with the Marine Operations Officer and Ranger Coordinators to plan and deliver all Sea Country operations including marine park patrols, visitor management, training and development, cultural activities and back to country programs. This includes trip planning, logistics, resources, equipment, staffing, safety & communications.
- Work closely with partners, stakeholders, JMB and JMB sub-committees to promote opportunities that enhance community ownership and involvement in the Marine Park through employment opportunities, skills development, governance, consultation, and promotion.
- Collaborate with DBCA on reporting, including providing timely and relevant monthly reports (verbal and written) to DAC CEO, Board, HCAC, JMB and relevant sub-committees regarding all marine park activities and projects including performance and significant issues.
Experience:
- Experience in natural resource management, preferably marine conservation, science or policy or Indigenous land and sea management.
- Extensive experience and capability leading and supervising teams and the capacity to plan work, motivate staff and monitor performance in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Understanding of occupational, health and safety, and equity and diversity principles and practices.
- Experience working in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and with Indigenous communities. (desirable)
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge:
- High level of competency in stakeholder engagement and collaborative working relationships with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, community members and industry to further the reputation and success of DAC.
- Be able to manage multiple complex projects and meet deadlines effectively with a high degree of flexibility, attention to detail and confidentiality within a changing environment.
- Ability to compile, manage and deliver budgets, financial management, reporting and compliance.
- Proven ability to work independently and take ownership to resolve factors that may influence the delivery of service to client a timely and accurate manner.
- Proven capability to source new grant funding and partnerships.
- Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills, ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including Aboriginal people in remote Australia. (essential)
- Strong written communication skills, including ability to produce a range of documents for diverse audiences
- Current ‘C’ class driver’s license and remote 4WD experience.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
- Strong existing industry networks. (desirable)
- Possess and maintain a level of physical fitness for working in remote, hot, humid Kimberley conditions.
How to Apply:
We request candidates to apply by providing the following to *****@wcasolutions.com
- Cover letter, briefing addressing the selection criteria (max 2 pages)
- Current CV/Resume including referees.
Further Information:
For more information about the role please email Ryan via *****@wcasolutions.com or call (08) 9383 3***.
Role is based in Derby WA 6728, relocation support provided to the successful candidate. All appointments are subject to the successful applicant having at least two COVID-19 vaccinations, WWC check and police clearance prior to commencement of employment.
Full Australian Working Rights are a requirement of this role.
Additional information
- Competitive salary package ($99,000-$112,000) plus super
- Training and development opportunities in a supportive team environment
- 5-weeks annual leave with office closure over the Christmas period
