Senior Policy Officer (Nature Next Door)

Are you looking for a policy role where your skills help protect some of Victorias’s most valuable threatened species? The Senior Policy Officer plays a key role in shaping and delivering the ‘Nature Next Door’ Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program, one of Victoria’s most significant long term environmental planning and conservation initiatives.

Working as part of a high performing and collaborative team, the role contributes to achieving Victoria’s commitments under the Melbourne Strategic Assessment by leading and supporting strategic policy and regulatory initiatives and preparing and providing well-informed and high level policy advice to executives and Ministers.

The position plays a lead role in stakeholder engagement and consultation activities, establishing and managing effective relationships with State and Commonwealth government agencies, internal and external stakeholders to inform policy development and support program delivery.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary degree in any of the following fields - environmental management, science, natural resource management, economics, public policy, or another relevant discipline would be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, high-value policy programs and initiatives across government, and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, is highly desirable.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 12 months. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria (8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne for CBD) with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers. 

Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

Applications close 11.59pm on Thursday, 1 September 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.  We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.  If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.  For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.