Engagement Officer, Eastern Group

Engagement Officer, Eastern Group - North Queensland Are you ready to make a real impact in some of Australia's most vibrant and diverse communities? As an APS 5 Engagement Officer based in Cairns, Mount Isa or Townsville, you'll be at the heart of meaningful change, helping shape services that reflect the voices and values of North Queensland. This role offers the opportunity to work across the North Queensland Region, including Cape York, the Torres Strait, North West, the Gulf of Carpentaria and other communities. You’ll be the trusted face of the Agency, building strong relationships, fostering cultural understanding, and ensuring local perspectives influence national policy and programs. Whether you’re facilitating community forums, supporting First Nations partnerships, or responding to high‑priority needs, your work will be dynamic, rewarding, and deeply connected to the people you serve and will include the following: Building trust and relationships with diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Promoting culturally safe practices and ensuring First Nations voices are central to service delivery Convening forums and consultations to ensure local priorities shape policy and program design Collaborating with local organisations and government partners to broker solutions and enable effective partnerships Assisting the Regional Manager in maintaining frontline capacity and delivering responsive services Providing insights and feedback that inform national strategies based on local needs Our Ideal Candidate We’re looking for someone who’s passionate about making a difference in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across North Queensland. You’ll be a natural relationship builder—someone who listens deeply, communicates clearly, and works collaboratively to support place‑based solutions. Ideally, you’ll have: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the Agency in community forums and government settings Project management experience, including the ability to juggle competing priorities and deliver outcomes on time Sound judgement and initiative, especially when working independently in remote or high‑risk areas Administrative and procedural capability, to support frontline engagement and ensure operational continuity A safety‑first approach to travel, particularly in remote and geographically complex regions A current driver's licence and the ability to travel by small aircraft and boats, including undertaking overnight stays in remote communities to support engagement activities Respect and empathy in all interactions, especially with First Nations peoples and communities Adaptability and resilience, with the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances Collaboration and teamwork, contributing to a positive and supportive workplace culture Accountability and integrity, with a strong sense of responsibility for your work and its impact Curiosity and creativity, always looking for better ways to engage, solve problems, and deliver outcomes Formal qualifications aren’t essential, but experience working in or with First Nations communities, government agencies, or service delivery organisations will be highly regarded What We Offer We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it’s our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference. We value our employees —they’re the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development. Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders. To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen. The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level. The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre‑employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check. How to apply If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by 11:30pm AEDT. Job details Seniority level : Not Applicable Employment type : Full‑time Job function : Other Industries : Government Administration and Government Relations Services Locations : Cairns, Mount Isa, Townsville #J-18808-Ljbffr