Vacancy Details
Avondale University is seeking a Cultural Support Officer to join Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic team on an initial full-time 2-year contract. Contract renewal is conditional on funding approval.
Be challenged and imagine with us
This exciting role involves working with staff and students to support people of different cultures.
What will you do?
Some of the main duties will include:
Student Support
- Provide culturally safe support and advice for students on the Lake Macquarie Campus and online students, with a primary but not exclusive focus on students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island descent.
- Assist in the creation of culturally appropriate student resources.
Staff Support
- Provide advice and feedback for staff on all matters relating to cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication.
- Provide assistance for academic staff seeking culturally appropriate and authentic content and perspectives, especially indigenous, for course development across all fields of study.
Liaison and Coordination
- Assist with building relationships and partnerships to support Avondale in the areas of curriculum development, cultural events, and guest lecturers and speakers.
- Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and service standards in all communications.
Compliance and Quality
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
- Maintain accurate records of activities and outcomes.
About you
To be successful in the Cultural Support Officer role, you will be a dynamic and responsive team player committed to providing guidance and support for University staff and students that lead to effective and appropriate communication between people of different cultures.
Essential criteria
- A willingness to strongly support the mission, values, and ethos of Avondale.
- Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal cultural protocols and cultural safety, with the ability to build and maintain respectful relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal communities and to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-cultural contexts.
- Well-developed organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders and in different cultural contexts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, willingness and demonstrated ability to learn University systems and procedures.
- Cooperate with all work health and safety policies and procedures related to the work being undertaken and ensure that their actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of others at Avondale. Promote a safe workplace and identify unsafe practices.
- Understand and support equal opportunity principles.
Desirable criteria
- Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised by Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW.
- Familiarity with university policies, procedures, or student administration systems.
- Experience supporting academic staff or course administration functions.
- Understanding of the student lifecycle and common course-related processes.
Please visit www.avondale.edu.au/employment for the job description and details of this position. For further information about the role, please email Avondale University’s People and Culture Manager at [email protected].
Email your application to [email protected], including:
- A resume (four-page maximum)
- A statement addressing the selection criteria
- Contact details of three referees
Please note that we will be conducting interviews as applications come in, so please do not delay in submitting your application.
Salary: Avondale Higher Education Worker Level 5 $77,375 - $86,586 per annum, plus superannuation.
Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. Avondale is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to make a delayed appointment, not appoint, or appoint by invitation.
