Aerial Land Management - Mission Command

Parks Victoria; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Parks Victoria is seeking an experienced operational leader to support and, at times, lead the safe coordination of statewide aerial land management programs in Victoria. The role focuses on coordinating aircraft, personnel and contractors while delivering conservation outcomes.

You will act as Mission Commander under PRO-715, ensuring safety, compliance and effective resource use across diverse projects, with travel across Victoria and potential remote work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in aerial land management, emergency management, biosecurity, wildlife management, conservation or related fields.
• Strong project management, operational planning and coordination skills.
• Solid knowledge of emergency management arrangements and incident management systems.
• A current Victorian Driver Licence is required.
• Forest Fire Management Victoria Air Attack Supervisor Accreditation is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver aerial land management and aerial shooting activities within established operational frameworks.
• Act as the designated Mission Commander under Aerial Shooting Procedure PRO-715.
• Coordinate aircraft, personnel, contractors, equipment and operational resources.
• Oversee operational planning, risk management, resource allocation and field delivery.
• Provide expert technical advice to support aerial shooting and conservation programs.
• Monitor program progress, quality, budgets and resource use.
• Develop and improve procedures, systems, reports, training materials and advisory tools.
• Build productive relationships with regional teams, government agencies, contractors and aviation service providers.
• Ensure compliance with relevant aviation, firearms, safety, financial and governance requirements.
• Mentor and support personnel involved in aircraft operations while promoting operational safety and professionalism.

Skills

Aerial operations

Stakeholder management

Project management

Emergency management

Risk management

Safety governance

Leadership

Communication

Briefings & reports

Education

Environmental science / conservation degree

Job description

Aerial Land Management - Mission Command

• Lead the safe and compliant coordination of statewide aerial missions.
• Coordinate aircraft, contractors and operational teams in complex environments.
• Apply your aviation expertise to conservation and land management programs.
• Fixed term opportunity until 30 June 2027
• See our Careers Page for more information about what we can offer.

• Lead the safe and compliant coordination of statewide aerial missions.
• Coordinate aircraft, contractors and operational teams in complex environments.
• Apply your aviation expertise to conservation and land management programs.
• Fixed term opportunity until 30 June 2027
• See our Careers Page for more information about what we can offer.

About Parks Victoria

At Parks Victoria, we're passionate about connecting people with nature and protecting some of Victoria's most treasured landscapes. We're seeking an experienced operational professional to support and, at times, lead the safe coordination of statewide aerial land management programs.

We offer

• Meaningful work that supports communities and the environment.
• A collaborative and supportive team culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
• The opportunity to support conservation, environmental protection and land restoration across Victoria.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Fire, Emergency and Aerial Land Management Coordinator, you will provide operational, technical and coordination support for Parks Victoria's aerial land management programs.

You will support and, at times, lead the coordination of statewide aerial operations, with a strong focus on aerial shooting programs. This will involve coordinating aircraft, personnel, contractors, equipment and operational resources while ensuring activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with relevant aviation, firearms, risk and governance requirements.Acting as the designated Mission Commander you will oversee operational planning, risk management, resource allocation and field delivery. You will work closely with regional conservation teams, contractors and partner agencies to ensure aerial projects achieve their conservation and land management objectives.

You will also contribute to the development and continuous improvement of operational procedures, reporting systems, training materials and work practices. Your technical advice and leadership will help maintain high standards of safety, compliance and professionalism across aerial operations.This position requires travel throughout Victoria, including overnight and multi-day travel. The role may also involve working in remote locations, driving long distances on unsealed roads and walking long distances in forests and parks.

• Coordinate and deliver aerial land management and aerial shooting activities within established operational frameworks.
• Act as the designated Mission Commander under Aerial Shooting Procedure PRO-715.
• Coordinate aircraft, personnel, contractors, equipment and operational resources.
• Oversee operational planning, risk management, resource allocation and field delivery.
• Provide expert technical advice to support aerial shooting and conservation programs.
• Monitor program progress, quality, budgets and resource use.
• Develop and improve procedures, systems, reports, training materials and advisory tools.
• Build productive relationships with regional teams, government agencies, contractors and aviation service providers.
• Ensure compliance with relevant aviation, firearms, safety, financial and governance requirements.
• Mentor and support personnel involved in aircraft operations while promoting operational safety and professionalism.

About You

You are an experienced operational professional with strong planning, coordination and stakeholder-management skills. You bring experience in aerial land management, emergency management, conservation, biosecurity, wildlife management, natural resource management or a related field.

You are confident coordinating aircraft, people, contractors and operational resources in complex and dynamic environments. You demonstrate sound judgement, initiative and attention to detail, together with a strong commitment to safety, integrity and continuous improvement.

Your communication and relationship-building skills enable you to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, regional stakeholders and government agencies. You can analyse complex information, manage competing priorities and provide practical advice that supports safe and effective operational delivery.

You'll bring

• Forest Fire Management Victoria Air Attack Supervisor Accreditation is highly desirable
• A current Victorian Driver Licence.
• Demonstrated experience in aerial land management, emergency management, biosecurity, wildlife management, conservation, natural resource management or a related field.
• Experience coordinating multi-agency programs or emergency preparedness initiatives.
• Strong project management, operational planning and coordination skills.
• Sound knowledge of emergency management arrangements and incident management systems.
• Demonstrated leadership and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, safety, governance and compliance frameworks.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience preparing reports, briefings and strategic advice for senior stakeholders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in environmental science, biosecurity, emergency management, ecology, conservation or a related discipline is desirable.

Your application will need to include

• A current resume.
• A cover letter.

Application close date:Sunday 18th of October 2026

To be eligible for employment at Parks Victoria, you must be legally entitled to work in Australia.

Employment Requirements

Parks Victoria is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children, in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All prospective employees will undergo a National Police Record Check and require a Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment.