Community Pathways Officer – Ongoing, Full Time (5 days per week)
This position is an identified position. AFTRS considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Salary: AFTRS Level 6 ($88,343) + 15.4% super, and excellent benefits.
Close Date: The closing date for applications is Sunday 7 June 2026 11:59pm. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Apply: via the AFTRS Jobs Portal
AFTRS is the national screen and audio school – the only Australian education institution to consistently make The Hollywood Reporter‘s prestigious annual list of the top film schools in the world. Working hand-in-hand with the screen and broadcast industries, AFTRS is a global centre of excellence that delivers the highest level of screen and audio education, training and research across Australia.
We’re looking for a Community Training Officer to join our First Nations & Outreach team and help strengthen pathways for First Nations and other underrepresented communities.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Community Engagement, the Community Pathways Officer strengthens AFTRS’s engagement with First Nations and other underrepresented communities through internal and external collaboration.
Externally, the role builds and maintains strong relationships with First Nations, Pacific and other underrepresented communities. The role works closely with industry partners, external agencies, and community organisations, applying community governance knowledge and cultural protocols to support the design and delivery of safe, inclusive and accessible training programs for emerging First Nations peoples and other underrepresented groups.
Internally, the role supports student recruitment by connecting high potential First Nations talent with AFTRS Recruitment and Admissions team to strengthen and grow the AFTRS First Nations Cohort. The role also works closely with the Student Centre and First Nations students to contribute to initiatives such as the Elder in Residence program, mentoring and masterclasses
Key Accountabilities
Stakeholder Engagement
- Actively build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including Community and Industry, to support meaningful partnerships and opportunities.
- Act as a key point of contact for training participants, ensuring effective communication and engagement throughout program delivery.
- Represent AFTRS through active networking and professional engagement with external stakeholders.
Training Design, Delivery and Facilitation
- Develop, deliver, monitor and evaluate training programs as directed for First Nations and other underrepresented communities, using data including participant feedback and engagement outcomes, to ensure high-quality, culturally safe learning experiences.
- Use evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement of training design, delivery and stakeholder engagement approaches, and contribute to AFTRS strategic objectives by supporting increased participation of Fist Nations learners through AFTRS pathways.
- Contract, induct and manage trainers and mentors, providing ongoing feedback to ensure high quality learning experiences for participants.
Internal Collaboration and Advocacy
- Liaise effectively with internal divisions across AFTRS to maximise the impact of training programs and identify opportunities for cross divisional collaboration.
- Work closely with the Student Recruitment Team to build relationships with First Nations talent across Australia and support pathways into AFTRS through Award Courses, Short Courses, Outreach Programs and employment opportunities
- Liaise with First Nations visitors, teachers, guests, participants, and students to facilitate friendly and meaningful engagements with AFTRS, guided by First Nations values and protocols.
Project and Program Administration
- Undertake project administration including developing, monitoring and managing project budgets, scheduling, resource booking, statistical reporting and records management.
- Undertake general administrative tasks to support the team, including financial administration and record keeping. This may include iPOS processing, credit card reconciliations, other general financial data record keeping and processing.
- Assist the Head of Community Engagement with information and data towards preparing ad hoc reports, briefing papers and administrative support for the senior management team as required.
- Monitor and track deliverables for assigned projects and ensure completion on time and within budget.
WHS
- Conduct Work Health and Safety risk assessments as required, including for regional and remote localities.
Other Duties
- Occasional work will be required outside of standard hours including regional, interstate or international travel.
- There may be a requirement to undertake tasks outside the scope of the responsibilities listed to support the organisation. AFTRS will engage in a conversation should these tasks arise.
About You
- First Nations Cultural Knowledge: Demonstrable knowledge of First Nations culture and protocols with the ability to build relationships with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations.
- Project Leadership & Collaboration: Demonstrated experience leading and contributing to complex community-based projects through collaborative partnerships with First Nations communities, industry and other stakeholders.
- Industry Knowledge: Understanding of screen and audio industry pathways, including the ability to work with industry partners and community organisations to nurture and support emerging practitioners.
- Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with ability to nurture meaningful relationships, manage competing priorities and sensitively negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple community projects simultaneously, including planning, scheduling, delivery, evaluation, risk management and reporting.
- Administration & Financial Management Skills: Strong administrative skills, including experience with contracting, budget management, reporting, data tracking and records management.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated success in designing and implementing stakeholder engagement plans, including facilitating panels and forums, and use of new technologies and social media platforms.
- Collaboration Skills: Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally to enhance program outcomes and organisational impact.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to exercise sound judgement and solve complex problems in time-sensitive environments.
- Safe Work Environments: Experience in fostering culturally and psychologically safe work environments.
Please note that the successful applicant will be required to:
- A Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent form executed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation with a common seal.
- The occupant of this position must hold the unrestricted and indefinite Right to Work in Australia.
- The occupant of this position must possess qualifications or be willing to be trained in Mental Health First Aid.
Diversity, Flexibility and Accessibility
As a creative organisation, we understand the importance of offering flexible working to support your own creativity, wellbeing, and balance. We will genuinely consider applications for job share and part time working. We also support working from home and flexible working hours.
AFTRS is committed to building a richly diverse staff and faculty. AFTRS actively supports and appreciates workplace diversity, First Nations values, and we strongly encourage and welcome applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a wide range of backgrounds, and people with a disability.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments through our recruitment and selection process. Requests for reasonable adjustments will be treated confidentially and will not disadvantage your application. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email [email protected] or call 02 9805 6610. Further information can be found in the AFTRS Candidate Accessibility Pack.
