Policy and Communications Officer

The Policy and Communications Officer plays a key role in supporting the Workforce & Skills Unit to design and deliver targeted strategies and activities to improve farm safety, skills and workforce engagement for Victoria’s agriculture sector. A key focus for this position is developing, facilitating and delivering communication and engagement activities, maintaining collaborative relationships with farm safety communications partners and managing the tracking and reporting of projects for the Farming Safe and Well Program. The position will also support delivery of other priorities for the Workforce and Skills Unit including policy analysis, communications, project management, stakeholder engagement and secretariat support for:

• Young Farmers Advisory Council
• Rural Womens Network
• Young Farmers Scholarships
• Other agriculture workforce projects and initiatives.

The position works collaboratively across Agriculture Policy and Programs and government engagement channels to deliver on objectives. The position also supports the Manager and Senior Policy Officer with research and analysis to formulate strategic policy advice to the Director of Transition, Development & First Peoples and to the Minister, Secretary and the DEECA Executive on a range of agriculture policy issues, with a focus on workforce, farm safety and skills in agriculture.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary degree would be well regarded.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 12 months. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria 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 Wednesday, 26 August 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.

A Diverse, Inclusive 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.