Local History Specialist
Are you passionate about the history and heritage in the City of Canning? This position plays a key role in preserving, curating and promoting our history and the development and maintenance of our local history collection and services.
About the role
We are seeking a passionate and community-focused Local History Specialist to preserve, curate and share the stories that shape the City of Canning’s identity.
This is a dynamic role where you will develop and maintain the City’s local history collection, oversee digitisation projects, deliver engaging programs, and collaborate with individuals, families and community groups to capture materials of historical significance. Your expertise in heritage, archives and inclusive storytelling will help ensure our local history is accessible, celebrated and relevant for generations to come.
Reporting to the Coordinator Library Services, this is a permanent, part-time position (0.8 FTE) in a welcoming and thriving local council. If you want to make a real difference by protecting and promoting the history of your community, read further and apply now!
What you’ll be doing in the role
- Developing, maintaining and preserving the City’s local history collection in both physical and digital formats
- Leading digitisation initiatives, metadata creation and ensuring accessible digital pathways
- Acquiring, organising and cataloguing materials in line with best practice and collection development guidelines
- Designing and delivering engaging programs, exhibitions, talks, workshops and community partnerships that celebrate local history
- Working with individuals, families and community groups to identify, record and acquire materials of historical significance
- Producing accessible content to share local stories across a range of platforms including digital exhibitions, social media and publications
- Coordinating a calendar of local history activities that align with the City’s strategic priorities
- Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to promote awareness and strengthen community connections through heritage
What you can bring to the role
We’re after someone with a passion for local history and heritage, and the skills to preserve and share stories that matter to our community. You’ll need to be confident managing collections, comfortable with digitisation and archival standards, and proactive in engaging people and partners. You will also bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in Information Management, Archival Studies, History, Anthropology, or a related discipline
- Demonstrated experience managing local history, heritage or archival collections, including digital archives and digitisation projects
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives and deliver them effectively
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage confidently with individuals, families, community groups and internal stakeholders
- High level of digital literacy, including experience with content management systems, digitisation tools and metadata standards
- A community-focused approach to storytelling and heritage, with the ability to work respectfully across diverse cultural narratives
- Flexibility to work evenings or weekends for programs and events, when required
- A current WA Driver’s Licence, valid Working with Children Check, and National Police Clearance (less than 6 months old)
Why you’ll love working at the City!
- Work in a welcoming and thriving team environment at one of WA’s largest and most diverse local councils
- A rewarding permanent part-time position (0.8 FTE, 121 hours over a 4 week period)
- $87,219.60 – $97,630.49 per annum pro rata + super
- 17.5% paid Annual Leave Loading when you take annual leave
- Free onsite parking
- We match super contributions to help you save for your future
- Discounted health insurance, free flu vaccinations, skin checks and other well-being events
- Genuine commitment to learning and development opportunities
- Free confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional support
- Membership to Cannington and Riverton Leisureplexes (gym, aquatics, sauna, group fitness)
Impact the Community in a Big Way
The City of Canning aims to be a welcoming and thriving city, giving our people an opportunity to thrive through work that truly makes a difference! With a population of around 100,000 over 64 square km of land, we provide services to support and develop our community every day. We believe that engaging people with diverse backgrounds and all abilities will assist in delivering superior services to our community and are committed to the principles of equal opportunity for all.
Ready to apply? If you’re passionate about library services and thrive in a busy administrative role, we’d love to hear from you!
To view the position description and complete an application including your Resume and Cover Letter (PDF format preferred), visit www.canning.wa.gov.au/jobs, select the position and click “APPLY”. You may also contact Osman Masnor, Coordinator Library Services on 0478 918 568 for a confidential discussion.
Applications are open until 5.00pm Sunday 21 September 2025. We reserve the right to contact applicants and close the advertising period early.