Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• Permanent full-time opportunity (35 hours/week)
• Based at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $113,574 to $125,720 + super

The role
At the heart of this role is the opportunity to lead the creation of meaningful First Nations learning experiences across the stunning sites of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. You’ll shape programs that celebrate and share First Nations knowledges, cultures, and histories, helping visitors of all ages connect with Country in thoughtful and engaging ways.

You’ll bring your creativity and cultural insight to design programs that respect cultural protocols, align with curriculum needs, and support the Gardens’ strategic goals. This is a hands-on role where you’ll guide and mentor team members, build strong relationships with community and collaborate with partners to deliver high‑quality cultural learning experiences.

You’ll also oversee the day‑to‑day operations that keep programs running smoothly, from rostering and budgeting to working with schools, community groups, and other Botanic Gardens teams. A key part of the role is leading a dispersed casual team who support program delivery, ensuring cultural integrity across all programs, and making sure each experience is inclusive, accessible, and grounded in community expectations.

For more information read the full Role Description:  First Nations Learning Leader (Aboriginal Identified)


What you will bring to the role

• Experience creating and running great, engaging education programs for different types of audiences.
• An understanding of how schools work, and how informal learning happens for all ages.
• Experience leading a team and supporting people to do their best work.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the ability to build connections with several local Aboriginal communities.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal cultures and histories to help enrich learning programs.
• Experience developing and delivering education programs, ideally in cultural, community, or environmental settings.
• Ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and deliver education programs that make an impact.

What is an essential requirement:

• This is an Identified role under the Section 14d of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and as such Aboriginality is an essential requirement of the role. Aboriginal identified positions are developed where Aboriginal identity, cultural knowledge or connections are a genuine aspect of the role. Positions are specifically noted under the provisions of the NSW Anti-discrimination Act (1977) for Aboriginal people who can provide evidence that they meet the following criteria:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

• A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) is an essential requirement for this role. The role has been identified as requiring this check in line with the Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012.

About us
Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.


Join us
If you are excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close 11.55pm on Sunday 8th March 2026.

An online information session will be held at 12.00pm-1.00pm on Tuesday 24^th February 2026. Click here to attend the online information session (via MS Teams).


Should you require further information about the role please contact:

1. Colleen Fitzgerald on 0438 772 461 or  colleen.fitzgerald@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or
2. Kate Heywood on 0400 276 658 or kate.heywood@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6363 7676​ - HR Support, option 3, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role on the Our Mob on Country webpage. You can also contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn about the role or supporting applying.