Bushfire Recovery Project Officer

Careers at Council; Colac; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking a Bushfire Recovery Project Officer to support local recovery initiatives, strengthen community resilience and help deliver projects that make a real and lasting impact.

This temporary full-time 12-month fixed-term contract offers hands-on engagement with communities, grants knowledge, and reporting responsibilities, with salary in the mid-to-high range plus superannuation.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.
• Experience researching, analysing and preparing information or reports.
• Collaborative, community-minded approach.
• Understanding of grants, funding programs and basic budget processes.
• Current Victorian Driver's Licence
• Experience with Crisisworks or community recovery, emergency management or local government would be highly regarded

Responsibilities

• Support community emergency resilience workshops and engagement activities
• Assist community groups with grant and funding applications
• Help plan and coordinate community events and recovery initiatives
• Provide information and support to bushfire-affected residents
• Contribute to recovery communications, including webpages, social media and community resources
• Prepare reports and help track progress on recovery projects and emerging community needs

Skills

Communication

Facilitation

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Grant writing

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Crisisworks

Job description

Temporary Full-Time | 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract | Colac Otway Shire Council

Help Communities Recover. Build Resilience. Make a Difference.

The January 2026 Otway bushfires impacted lives, properties and communities across our region. Now is your opportunity to be part of the recovery journey and help build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking a passionate and community-focusedBushfire Recovery Project Officerto support local recovery initiatives, strengthen community resilience and help deliver projects that make a real and lasting impact.

What You'll Be Doing

As part of our Bushfire Recovery Program, you will:

• Support community emergency resilience workshops and engagement activities
• Assist community groups with grant and funding applications
• Help plan and coordinate community events and recovery initiatives
• Provide information and support to bushfire-affected residents
• Contribute to recovery communications, including webpages, social media and community resources
• Prepare reports and help track progress on recovery projects and emerging community needs

About You

You're someone who enjoys connecting with people, solving problems and making things happen.

You will bring:

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously
• Experience researching, analysing and preparing information or reports
• A collaborative, community-minded approach
• Understanding of grants, funding programs and basic budget processes
• Current Victorian Driver's Licence
• Experience withCrisisworksor community recovery, emergency management, local government or community development will be highly regarded

Why Join Us?

At the Colac Otway Shire Council, our people live our values every day. We are supportive, inclusive, respectful, accountable, proactive and committed to making a positive difference in our community.

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Support community recovery and resilience
• Work closely with local communities and stakeholders
• Develop valuable project, engagement and grant-writing experience
• Be part of meaningful work that genuinely impacts people's lives

Salary information: $77,392.64 to $88,025.60 per annum plus superannuation

For further information regarding the duties and requirements of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications Close Monday 28 September 2026 at 11:59pm

Please note: we reserve the right to conduct interviews with suitable candidates prior to the closing date.

Colac Otway Shire Council is a child safe organisation and is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer