Warrnambool, Victoria
1.0 FTE to 30 June 2027
Reports to Healthy Country Manager
Salary: Band 2 + super
This is a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appointment.
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.
What you’ll be doing:
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 Wuro Wuruuk Statement
General duties may include:
- Provide regular updates on opportunities, challenges and issues
- Perform other duties as may be directed or implied from time to time.
- Be aware and adhere to The Privacy Act, OH & S Legislation and other relevant legislations.
- Be aware and adhere to EMAC Policy and Procedure manuals.
- Be aware and participate in staff performance reviews.
- Attend all mandatory training as required.
Selection criteria
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- Strong understanding of the importance of Country to Traditional Owners and recognition of the Eastern Maar as Traditional Owners of the south-west region of Victoria.
- Commitment to and appreciation of Eastern Maar culture, values, perspectives, and heritage, including impacts of colonisation and importance of cultural continuity.
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting aspirations of the Eastern Maar community.
- Demonstrated understanding of the regulatory framework in which EMAC operates.
Other requirements
- Holder of a Working with Children Check
- Holder of a Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
- Undertaken a National Police Check for Employment Purposes within the last 3 months
Note: A request to conduct probity checks does not guarantee an offer of employment.
For further details, read the full position description here.
Working with EMAC
At EMAC, we are committed to fostering a supportive, culturally safe, and empowering workplace. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy:
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements, subject to written agreement
- Salary packaging benefits in accordance with the ATO-approved rates for Public Benevolent Institutions. Currently up to $15,900, plus Meal and Entertainment benefits up to $2,650 per year.
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional development opportunities
- A friendly and supportive culture
- Reasonable relocation assistance may be provided, subject to prior approval and negotiation with the successful candidate.
How to apply
Applications close: 11:59pm, Wednesday 29 July 2026
To apply, please send:
- Your resume outlining your employment history, and
- A cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria
To Bansri Dave, HR Officer | bansri.dave@easternmaar.com.au
If you have any questions about the role, please email Emma Peace, Healthy Country Manager, at emma.peace@easternmaar.com.au.
