Culture and Creativity Place Officer

Do you like creativity, connecting communities and making things happen? If yes, definitely keep reading.

Our Culture and Creativity Place Officer will work across the region—on the ground, in the community and alongside local creatives—to spark ideas, support projects and make space for culture to thrive.As part of Council’s 10-year Culture and Creativity Strategy we have committed to nurturing the growth of the region’s cultural and creative communities, supporting districts to undertake their own initiatives, to champion the region’s diverse cultures and to ensure we embed creativity into the fabric of the Shire.

As the Culture and Creativity Place Officer you will ensure Council is closely engaged with community to deliver complex strategy, community development and champion the arts in community planning initiatives. You will also support the activation of space and will ensure East Gippsland can grow to accommodate the different cultural, creative and technical needs of our region.

If you love working with people, know how to turn a great idea into a meaningful outcome and believe creativity belongs everywhere (not just in galleries), this could be the opportunity for you.

We Are East Gippsland Shire

East Gippsland is a natural playground with over 21,000 square km of land including ski fields, high country, nine national parks, two significant marine parks, Australia’s largest navigable inland lake system and stunning coastlines included!

East Gippsland Shire Council is a large regional council covering 10% of Victoria. With a workforce of passionate, multiskilled community members, EGSC offers challenging and rewarding skills development and the ability to work with a range of teams across a range of locations.

A unique blend of nature, arts, culture, and recreational opportunities, East Gippsland Shire is a captivating destination for those looking to broaden their skills whilst enjoying an enviable lifestyle.

The Opportunity

As the Culture and Creativity Place Officer, you’ll promote the growth of cultural and creative communities, supporting creative initiatives.

Working closely with the community, you will:

• Work out in the region to understand and facilitate growth in creativity across community programs, place facilitation and events
• Support our local creative communities to build on their existing capacities
• Work with communities to identify and support cultural events that attract content and opportunities for the region
• Establish and maintain a mentoring program connecting early career practitioners with local professionals
• Identify and establish public exhibition spaces for community art in East Gippsland towns and create exhibition programs
• Promote local art and cultural activity, opportunities and resources
• Build relationships with migrant communities across the Shire to understand cultural needs

This is a permanent, part time opportunity (4 days per week). The main office is in Bairnsdale, but you’ll be expected to travel around the Shire to work with communities.

We also offer our staff:

Work-Life Balance:

• 60/40 Hybrid office/WFH options
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Flexible start and finish times
• Extra time off over Christmas
• Discounted memberships to our Recreation Centres

Competitive Salaries:

• Banded salaries with built in yearly increases!
• Annual leave loading paid as a lump sum in December!

A Supportive environment:

• 17 weeks paid parental leave
• Additional special leave available for chronic health conditions and other special needs
• Learning and Development team to keep your skills up to date and give you the opportunity to develop your career!
• Employee Assistance Program offering counselling support when you need it
• Staff consultative committee – management consult staff on big decisions

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and experience in arts, culture, or community development.
• Strong communication, engagement, and partnership-building skills with diverse communities.
• Proven ability to deliver cultural programs, events, and initiatives that align with Council objectives.
• Knowledge of government policies and trends in the arts, cultural, and events sectors, with the ability to work independently and in a team.

If successful, you will need to hold a current Working with Children Check and undertake a police check. You must also be legally entitled to work in Australia.

How To Apply

If this sounds like your next move, apply now and attach:

• What was the goal the project set out to achieve?
• How did you measure whether the goal was achieved?
• What lessons did you learn through the project about community engagement?
• If you were to do it again, is there anyone else you would involve or engage differently?
• What challenges did you face during the project, and how has that influenced your approach to work since?

Applications close at 11.59pm on 16 July 2025

Questions? For a confidential discussion about the position or to learn more, please contact Ashley Ball, Culture and Creativity Coordinator, on 0448 015 440

East Gippsland Shire Council is committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, gender diverse people, religiously, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people of any age.

East Gippsland Shire Council is committed to upholding the Child Safe Standards and has a zero tolerance for child abuse and harm. To uphold these standards a valid working with children check is required to be held for applicable positions.