Species and Land Management Officer (8x Positions)

The Species and Land Management Officer will support Committees of Management in responding to H5N1 Bird Flu impacts and deliver a range of environmental resilience activities. The role delivers field-based vertebrate pest management and invasive species activities, environmental monitoring, emergency response support and public land support activities. The role protects biodiversity and biosecurity values, supports safe public access and contributes field intelligence for evidence-based work planning. Work is undertaken through regionally prioritised programs developed with Public Land Services and relevant DEECA functions, and sits within Vertebrate Species Management Program supervision, safety systems, authorisations and tasking.

The role supports voluntary Committees of Management and DEECA land managers by undertaking site inspections, environmental monitoring, pest and weed assessments, data capture, hazard identification.  The officer may undertake visitor amenity and minor preventative activities where these are clearly scoped and supported by PLS relationship leads.  This position will be based at Beaufort and requires flexibility to deliver fieldwork in remote areas across the Western Victorian regions.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Current Drivers Licence
• 4WD experience

Preferred but not essential:

• Current Firearm Licence
• Agricultural Chemical Users Permit with 1080 endorsement
• DEECA recognised 4WD accreditation

Specialist/Technical Expertise:

• Ability to undertake site inspections, assess and record disease, pest or weed presence, hazards and basic site condition, and provide factual field information to support land manager prioritisation and approved work planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of vertebrate pest management methods, relevant legislation and practical field activities that manage invasive species impacts on biodiversity and biosecurity values. Experience in pest plant identification, monitoring or treatment is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply safe work practices, standard operating procedures, job safety plans, work orders, authorisations and escalation requirements relevant to VSMP and approved public land field activities.
• Proven ability to effectively engage with various stakeholders, land managers and voluntary Committees of Management through positive communication and interpersonal skills and work flexibly within a team environment.

There are 8 fixed term positions available until 31 December 2027. The work location for these positions are:

• 1 x Beaufort (50970791)
• 1 x Colac (50970793)
• 1 x Epsom (50970795)
• 2 x Heywood (50970797 & 50970799)
• 1 x Irymple (50970805)
• 2 x Noojee (50970801 & 50970803)

To be considered for these positions, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience. Please indicate in your cover letter which locations you would like to be considered for. 

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, 11 November 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.