Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) is located on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples and manages Melbourne Gardens, Cranbourne Gardens, and the National Herbarium of Victoria, which holds over one million plant, algae, and fungi specimens. As a Victorian Government agency, RBGV is committed to reconciliation by celebrating and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, acknowledging and respecting Traditional Owners, and fostering strong partnerships. We honour the deep connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the lands our sites are situated on and the plants within them, as well as their countries across Australia that our conservation, research, and education work extends to. RBGV’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024–26 can be found at www.rbg.vic.gov.au
What You'll Do
We're looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Aboriginal Programs Guide to lead a team of Aboriginal Guides at Melbourne Gardens, delivering engaging cultural tourism and education programs that connect visitors with the First Peoples plant stories and knowledge, and the landscapes of the Country the Gardens are situated on.
In this role, you'll:
- Lead and support the Aboriginal Programs Guide team, ensuring they have the skills and resources to deliver high-quality, culturally respectful programs.
- Work closely with First Peoples staff and key First Peoples stakeholders, with guidance from Traditional Owners, you will help to ensure programs are culturally safe and respectful.
- Design and lead plant knowledge tours for diverse audiences, from local communities to international visitors.
- Contribute to the development of First Peoples-focused programs and initiatives.
- Manage staff schedules, resources, budgets, and support team recruitment and development.
This position offers a supportive and collaborative team environment, with opportunities for community and educational outreach, and ongoing professional development.
What You'll Bring
Ideally you will have:
- A qualification or equivalent experience in First Peoples tourism, tour guiding and/or public program planning.
- A general knowledge of, or willingness to learn about Victorian indigenous and Australia wide native plants and their cultural uses and Healing Country approaches is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, community aspirations, and current opportunities and challenges in Victoria and beyond.
- Experience in developing, delivering, and interpreting cultural programs, events, or experiences for diverse audiences, with a focus on First Peoples plant knowledge and culture.
- Experience in building respectful networks with First Peoples communities, you will bring cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead, inspire and develop your team.
- Sound judgment skills, the ability to interpret cultural and scientific concepts for diverse audiences, and a flexible, collaborative approach to team and visitor experience.
- An ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, demonstrating good time management, planning, and organisational skills.
All other key selection criteria can be found in the position description which is located under the attachments heading on the Victorian Government Careers website.
This is a designated position under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.
Working with Us
At RBGV you'll be part of a nationally recognised organisation that makes a genuine impact on a local and international scale. As an employee you will benefit from flexible working arrangements to assist in creating genuine work/life balance, annual leave loading, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much more.
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please visit the Victorian Government Careers website at http://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au. You must submit a recent resume along with a cover letter (max. two pages) prior to the deadline. General enquiries can be directed by email to [email protected]. Should you have any specific enquiries or require support submitting your application, please contact Vanessa Elvins on 9252 2413.
Applications will only be accepted via the Victorian Government website.