Collection Officer Pasifika (ID)
Join us at the Australian Museum and help us to achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change.
About the Role
We are looking for a Pasifika Collections Officer to support the engagement, interpretation, research, and care of the Australian Museum's Pasifika Collections, held across several AM sites. Working within the Pasifika Collections & Engagement team, you will collaborate with Pasifika communities to ensure collections are managed in a culturally appropriate, community-led way, and contribute to their accessibility through collections management systems.
Employment Status:
You will be paid a competitive total remuneration package of $98,970 - $108,372, including an annual salary of $87,199 - $95,482, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation (currently 12%) and annual leave loading.
Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM
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Role Description
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AM Candidate Pack
About you
We are seeking a Pacific Islander collections professional with hands-on experience in the physical care, logistics, storage, and handling of cultural objects. You are confident working across multiple sites, managing the movement and housing of collections with precision and in accordance with cultural protocols, including Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) considerations. You are proficient in collections management systems and bring strong record-keeping and data skills to ensure collections remain accessible and well-documented. Your proven track record in community consultation with Pasifika communities underpins everything you do, and you are committed to ensuring that the care and representation of Pasifika collections is accurate, community-led, and culturally appropriate.
To be eligible for this role at the Australian Museum, you must hold full working rights in Australia and meet all essential requirements listed in the position description.
Essential requirements
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Pacific Islander descent - Pacific Islander descent is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
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Appropriate approved tertiary qualifications in a relevant subject area, or relevant equivalent professional practice and research experience.
Knowledge & Experience
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Experience regarding Pasifika arts and cultural practices, including understanding and applying Pasifika cultural heritage management and cultural protocols.
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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.
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Demonstrated experience in contemporary collection management practices, including the use of databases such as KE EMu or similar.
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Data manipulation and database skills, including data entry, data clean up, Excel proficiency, and file management.
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Experience in the professional handling, packing, transport and storage of cultural objects.
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Application 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.
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Proven record in community consultation, especially with Pasifika communities in the Pacific region as well as in diaspora communities in Australia.
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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 Pasifika Collections & Engagement team.
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Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends to support public programs, events and engagement activities.
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.
The Australian Museum acknowledges that we operate on the lands, waters and skies of many First Nations Peoples. As Australia’s first museum, we share the responsibility of advocating for Country and honouring First Nations Peoples and knowledges.
Check out our current exhibitions and events here
Benefits
Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development opportunities and dedicated Wellbeing programs.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit
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A one to two page covering letter which address the role descriptions essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.
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Resume
As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer the following targeted questions:
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Describe your experience working with Pasifika communities in a collections, cultural heritage, or community engagement context. How have you ensured that your work was culturally appropriate and community-led? What was the outcome? (300 words maximum)
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Tell us about your experience managing or caring for a cultural collection. How did you apply relevant cultural protocols, and what systems or practices did you use to maintain collection integrity and accessibility? (300 words maximum)
The successful candidate applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.
Contact person: Melissa Sutton, Senior Pasifika Collection Officer, [email protected]
Inclusive and Welcoming
The Australian Museum is committed to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
We actively encourage applications from First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people with disability, including physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, neurological, psychosocial, and chronic health conditions, whether visible or hidden; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people of all ages; members of the LGBTQIA+ community; and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager or include your requirements in your application. This may include alternative formats, communication support, flexible interviews, accessible locations, or extra assessment time. Any information you share will be kept confidential.
