Project Officer (Aboriginal community engagement in Collie)

$49.23 per hour (HEW 4)

Casual position - 5-10 hours per week until 31 December 2026

South West Campus

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

SOUTH WEST CAMPUS

****$49.23 PER HOUR

**CASUAL POSITION, 5-10 HOURS PER WEEK UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2026

This opportunity is offered in accordance with section 50d of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are eligible to apply.

Edith Cowan University

Are you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we’re inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we’re united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research.

Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary.

The School of Arts and Humanities

The School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) is one of the largest at ECU with many diverse academic disciplines arranged into three main clusters: Creative Humanities; Psychology, Counselling, and Criminology; and Social Sciences, Social Work, and Youth Work. The School operates across four campuses, with more than 100 academic and professional staff, and has a strong online education presence. The diversity of the School is a strength, enabling interdisciplinary innovation, a sustainable financial platform, and many opportunities for collaborations with industry and community. In 2026, the school will begin to operate its Creative Humanities program from our new ECU City Campus while maintaining and expanding operations at the Joondalup and South-West (regional) campuses and building our program at the newly opened ECU Sri Lanka campus.

Edith Cowan University’s School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) is committed to understanding how changes to Country (climate change) affects Aboriginal Peoples.

The Opportunity The community of Collie on Wilman and Kaneang Noongar Boodja (Country) is experiencing a transition to phase out coal-fired power by 2029. Since 2021, Noongar Traditional Owners and community members in Collie have been working alongside Climate Justice Union WA and ECU researchers for a just transition for Collie that leaves no one behind. This Project Officer role will join a project called Inclusive community planning for a just transition to net zero emissions. This project involves research and action to understand how community planning for Collie’s transition can support Aboriginal self-determination. The project is co-led by a group of Noongar Elders and community members who live in Collie.

This Project Officer role will support Noongar Elders and community members in Collie to participate in project activities. The role involves planning and organising project meetings and workshops in Collie, supporting community participation in the project, and communicating with community members. On the job training will be provided.

The employee’s tasks include:

Organise meetings and project activities for Noongar community members in Collie, such as workshops and Elders’ meetings.

Support Noongar Elders and other Traditional Owners in Collie to participate in project activities.

Communicate with Noongar community members in Collie about the project, activities and events.

Contribute to writing forms, reports and grant applications for the project.

Employees are required to participate in all ECU, team, and individual planning activities; comply with ECU policies and practices in all aspects of their work and conduct; and ensure the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others by complying with WHS and EO requirements.

It is a role requirement for candidates to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and who reside within the Collie Shire.

Selection criteria

Experiences: Has positive relationships with Noongar community members in Collie, and is respectful, empathic and caring.

Capabilities

Interpersonal skills: Ability to work cooperatively in a team to complete joint tasks and meet common objectives.

Accountability: Taking ownership of the task and the outcome with initiative and commitment. Is organised, self-reliant and can work independently.

Communication: Verbal and written communication skills, including in contributing to writing reports, and a willingness to learn.

Information technology: Experience using computers and Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Contact

Please contact Naomi Godden on 9780 7670 or n.godden@ecu.edu.au for more information.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and a two-page CV.

Advert Closure

Applications close Wednesday, 29th April 2026 at 11:30pm AWST.

ECU reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date, and encourage applicants to submit their applications early.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.

ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace with specific strategies and initiatives in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. We strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and faith. For more information on our commitment to equity and diversity, please visit our Inclusive Workplace website.

At ECU, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively encourage people with disability to apply to ECU. To discuss how we can support adjustment requirements, please contact the person listed above.