On Offer

• Salary range between $118,464 – $122,291 per annum depending on qualifications, skills and experience plus superannuation. 

• Annual salary increase every year based on CPI. 

• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 a year, + meal/entertainment benefit of $2,650 a year). 

• 5 weeks annual leave per year + additional leave to cover the Christmas shut down period + 17.5% leave loading 

• 10 days Noongar Cultural Leave per annum.

• 5 days compassionate leave per occasion.

• Employee Assistance Program.

The Role

The Anthropologist / Archaeologist works within a multi-disciplinary team of heritage specialists to protect the cultural heritage of Noongar people throughout the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar (WKSN) Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) area. This involves working to identify and record sites on behalf of Noongar people, developing projects and strategies to protect and promote Noongar heritage, and responding to external stakeholders within set regulatory processes. The role includes planning and undertaking Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Surveys alongside Noongar Knowledge Holders, consultations with Noongar people, report writing, desktop research, working within the NSHA framework, and interacting with external stakeholders in relation to the approval and commencement of works, advocating for the protection of Noongar heritage, and co-managing stakeholder compliance within regulatory processes and agreed Noongar heritage protection outcomes.

Location 

The position is based in Albany, Western Australia.

Hours

Full time (37.5 hours per week). 

About us

The Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (WKSN AC) was formed as a result of the South West Native Title Settlement (Settlement). WKSN AC has been established to assist the Noongar people from the Wagyl Kaip & Southern Noongar area to protect and promote Noongar culture and to manage land and waters within their country. WKSN AC is party to one of six Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) that comprise the Settlement.

Wagyl Kaip & Southern Noongar people are the Traditional owners of an approximately 52,246 sq km region and includes the towns of Boyup Brook, Gnowangerup, Walpole, Denmark, Mt Barker, Cranbrook, Tambellup, Katanning, Jerramungup, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, Bremer Bay and Albany.

One of the cornerstones of the Settlement is the establishment of the Noongar Land Estate (NLE). The NLE comprises 320,000 hectares of land allocated as reserve or freehold tenure for cultural or economic development purposes. The WKSN AC will hold and manage a significant amount of NLE Cultural land that is intended to provide significant opportunities for the Noongar community to achieve sustainable economic, social, and cultural outcomes.

WKSN has assumed the role of Aboriginal Heritage Service Provider under the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement, meaning we undertake all aspects of heritage services within the WKSN area.

Key Responsibilities

1. Promote the protection and understanding of Noongar Cultural Heritage including sites, values, culture, and Noongar connection to land.

2. Work with Noongar Knowledge Holders to identify, record and register heritage sites.

3. Design and implement field surveys in collaboration with Noongar Knowledge Holders and the Heritage Team, including undertaking fieldwork, and assisting with the organisation of all heritage activities.

4. Undertake desktop research on Noongar Cultural Heritage, and specifically in relation to proponent activities, and historical land uses.

5. Contribute to the Heritage Team’s delivery of NSHA matters, including working with commercial proponents, external consultants, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure Noongar Cultural Heritage values are understood, respected, and protected.

6. Write heritage survey reports and other documents, including briefing papers, correspondence, submissions, advice on operational heritage and cultural issues, and contribute to peer reviewed publications.

7. Undertake GIS mapping tasks to maintain spatial understanding of Noongar Cultural Heritage.

8. Present information to the WKSN Cultural Advice Committee (CAC) on specific Cultural Heritage matters.

9. Work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues, board and committee members, proponents, stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and members.

10. Promote understanding of, and respect for, Noongar Cultural Heritage sites and values, culture, attachment to Country and contemporary issues.

11. Contribute to investigation of compliance or enforcement activities under relevant legislation.

12. Participate in the business planning activities of the Heritage Team, in line with strategic plans, and contribute to the development of operational budgets, corporate plans and grant requirements.

13. Liaise and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including State agencies, local authorities, and local government agencies.

14. Undertake other duties as directed.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

1. Hold a tertiary degree in Anthropology, or Archaeology, or both, preferably with Honors, or equivalent qualifications and/or experience.

2. Experience working with Aboriginal people and communities to build effective and culturally appropriate relationships based on mutual respect.

3. Experience conducting and leading Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Surveys and undertaking community consultations.

4. Experience managing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey programs from inception to acquittal, including dealing with external heritage consultants, field logistics, and reporting.

5. Experience conducting desktop research.

6. IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft 365, and the Microsoft Office Suite.

7. Excellent written communication and report writing skills.

8. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

9. Valid C-class driver’s license.

Desirable:

1. Understanding of the South West Settlement, the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, and the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement.

2. Ability to use GIS and mapping software.

3. 4WD training and experience.

4. First Aid training and certification.

Specific Requirements

Diversity:

Under section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, WKSN AC seeks to increase diversity of our workforce to better meet the needs of our clients and stakeholders, and to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply and identify themselves as being of Aboriginal descent in the recruitment process.

Physical Requirements:

A level of physical fitness is an inherent requirement of this position. The position requires the ability to work outside and to be able to walk moderate distances for extended periods.

Apply now: 

Submit your resume and a cover letter showing how your skills and experience meet the job requirements, and letting us know why you would like to join our team.

For queries, please contact our heritage team at ••••@wagylkaip.org.au.    

Please note that people without a relevant qualification in anthropology or archaeology will not be considered for this role.

Applications close COB Friday 7th August 2026.