Who we are

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) provides leadership in the best practice management of the official record of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

Our vision: National Archives is committed to being a world-leading archive and strives to strengthen Australia's cultural identity and democracy by connecting people with the evidence of Australian Government activities and decisions.

National Archives endeavour to meet the future needs of government and expectations of the Australian public in our rapidly changing digital environment. Underpinning the transformative strategies to enable, secure, connect and innovate is a drive for comprehensive digital capability and service delivery. National Archives is committed to:

• innovation
• collaboration
• inclusion

National Archives is also committed to developing the capability and expertise of our staff, we offer a Studies Assistance Program that supports staff to achieve individual goals as well as increasing their capacity to help achieve National Archives’ strategic objectives. Our Health and Wellbeing Program encourages and supports a healthier workplace and healthy lifestyle choices for all employees.

About the role

The Access and Public Engagement Branch is the public face of National Archives of Australia, delivering description, examination, and reference and research services, exhibition, education and lifelong learning programs, publishing, websites, marketing and events nationally. All public engagement programs and services support National Archives' key role of providing an accessible, visible and interpreted national archival collection.

Reference Services consists of two client-focussed teams that provide: strategic direction and oversight of the National Archives’ National Reference Service in an increasingly digital environment; onsite and online reference services to assist researchers, the community and government agencies to access the national archival collection; development and delivery of onsite, online and offsite programs to educate and connect communities to the collection; and co-ordination of the National Archives’ volunteer program.

Under broad direction the main duties of the role are to:

• Lead and manage a team engaged in the delivery of onsite, offsite and online services to government and the public to achieve organisational objectives in accordance with the National Archives' strategic directions, business plans and resource allocations with a focus on innovation, business improvement and service delivery
• Oversee the successful management and delivery of strategic projects and services with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and professional advice across the National Archives on complex access arrangements including official access.
• Contribute to the coordination and monitoring of the National Reference Service operations, including the development, review and implementations of policies and procedures that support consistent access and service delivery across all offices.
• Represent the organisation as required in a variety of activities, forums and meetings involving government agencies, the community and / or members of the public.
• Promote and apply the APS and National Archives values and contemporary people management principles and practices in diversity, workplace health and safety and participative management.
• Implement, promote and apply the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2025–2030: Evolving National Archives and Our Values.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to successfully undergo a pre-employment check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Negative Vetting Level 2 clearance level.

How to apply

You need to apply through our e-recruitment system.

Your application will need to include:

• the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor.
• your current resume.
• statement (1000 words maximum), describing how your skills, knowledge, and experience/qualifications would enable you to perform the duties of the role taking into account the “Performance Expectations” at the relevant classification and National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2025–2030: Evolving National Archives and Our Values.

Tertiary qualifications and/or experience in archives or cultural heritage collection service-related fields and/or membership of the Australian Society of Archivists or other relevant professional organisations, are desirable.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability