Senior Fire Planning Officer

Ready to help shape forest and fire management in the Gippsland Region?

As a Senior Fire Planning Officer, you'll play a key role in developing the Joint Fuel Management Program, planning activities such as planned burning and mechanical fuel treatment to reduce bushfire risk while delivering important ecological outcomes.

In this role, you'll develop high quality operational plans that align with strategic objectives and legislative requirements. You'll address complex planning challenges, support risk reduction outcomes, and ensure fuel management activities are effective, evidence-based and fit for purpose.

Working closely with districts, Traditional Owners and a range of stakeholders, you'll help co-design and refine programs that reflect local priorities and values, including opportunities to support and integrate Cultural Burning practices.

Your expertise will contribute to informed decision-making, strong stakeholder partnerships, and the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable forest and fire management outcomes that benefit communities, landscapes and the environment across the Gippsland Region.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification (s) in science, public policy, natural resource or environmental management, business management or equivalent (desirable).
• Proven experience leading and applying planning processes for programs and/or projects (on public land, desirable), including complex stakeholder engagement and adherence to legislation.
  

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Gippsland Region 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 October 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.