Make a meaningful contribution to how Aboriginal heritage is protected and considered in land use and development across Western Australia. The Aboriginal Heritage team supports heritage management including the identification, preservation and protection of places, sites and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance.

The team is responsible for assessing complex Aboriginal heritage matters, providing expert advice to stakeholders, and supporting informed decision making on significant government and private sector projects. Bringing together expertise in heritage, legislation and stakeholder engagement, our work supports practical and balanced outcomes to preserve and protect Aboriginal heritage while enabling social and economic development across the State.

Manager Level 7 Position Overview:

The Manager leads an operational team responsible for the delivery of complex Aboriginal heritage management functions that support the identification, preservation and protection of places, sites and objects of Aboriginal heritage significance, in line with the Department’s broader strategic objectives and priorities.

Assistant Manager Level 6 Position Overview:

The Assistant Manager in the Heritage and Property Services division, will support your team to create opportunities enabling sustainable growth, ensuring communities can thrive by developing places where people want to live, work and recreate. We do this while respecting our past and learning from our stories.

This role will help build effective partnerships with Government, agencies, community service providers and citizens, enabling the strategic management and use of the State’s heritage and property assets. The Assistant Manager may be responsible for supporting or delivering one or more of the key statutory, engagement, governance and technical programs that deliver the strategic objectives and statutory duties of the Department and its boards and committees.

There is one permanent Manager position and one permanent Assistant Manager positions available. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment. 

To be successful for the Manager, Level 7 position, you need to demonstrate: 

• Significant demonstrated experience leading and managing multiple priorities, preferably in an Aboriginal heritage environment.
• Flexibility, initiative and sound judgement when making decisions in complex and challenging circumstances, with the ability to negotiate outcomes and deliver on priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective and respectful relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and promote an overall vision for the effective delivery of strategic goals in line with stakeholder and broader community values.
• Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.

To be successful for the Assistant Manager, Level 6 position, you need to demonstrate: 

• Proven ability to effectively lead and develop a team in the delivery of outcomes.
• Good working knowledge and understanding of cultural heritage, including the ability to identify and apply current and emerging trends.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret and effectively apply legislation across multiple contexts.
• Knowledge and experience in developing, leading and managing complex projects.
• High level communication skills demonstrating ability to establish and maintain effective relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Good understanding of effective business, financial and human resource management obligations in a public sector context.
• Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to both roles and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high-quality work that contributes to the agency.

The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.

About us

Our Perth office is centrally located in the CBD, above the Perth Underground rail station and close to major transport links.  We also have a number of offices located in the regions.

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.

We have a comprehensive  Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.

Benefits of Working at DPLH

DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options
• Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
• Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
• Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.

How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:

• Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
• A maximum three‑page cover letter clearly demonstrating your skills and experience against the position requirements, as detailed above and in the JDF.
• Please confirm whether you are applying for the Manager, Assistant Manager or both positions in your application.

Further Information: 

If you would like to know more, please give Ashleigh Freeman a call on (08) 6551 9163 or email Ashleigh.Freeman@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Ashleigh Freeman or to seek their assistance with lodging your application. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Jake Louthean or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Jake at 0428429486 or Barb at 0408 895 002 or alternatively email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.

Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:
TTY/voice calls – 133 677
Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
SMS relay – 0423 677 767.

Special Requirements for this position:

The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process. 

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.  

Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted. 

If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.

DPLH reserves the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date should circumstances around the vacancy change.

Closing Date – Tuesday, 24 November 2026 @ 4:00pm AWST