Fisheries Officer

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; Narooma; On-site; AUD 91,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is recruiting a Fisheries Officer to join the Fisheries Compliance Unit. You will ensure fishers comply with regulations, provide guidance, and take appropriate actions to protect aquatic resources.

As a Fisheries Officer Grade 1/2, you will allocate resources, prepare evidence, present at court, liaise with stakeholders, and support educational programs across fishing, aquaculture and conservation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ability to build and manage effective stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge and interest in fisheries compliance.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Problem solving and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in fisheries compliance activities using surveillance and evidence collection.
• Prepare evidence, prosecution briefs and notes; present evidence in court.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders; escalate complex issues.
• Assist in operational planning and patrol duties to optimise compliance outputs.
• Contribute to education programs on fishing, aquaculture and conservation.
• Maintain departmental equipment and materials in good condition.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Problem solving

Education

HSC or Equivalent

Job description

• Full Time, 38hours per week
• ongoing Full Time
• Location:
  • Sydney North District – Wollstonecraft (3)
  • Montague District – Narooma
  • Far South Coast District – Eden
  • Special Operations & Investigations Group – Merimbula
  • New England District - Inverell
  • Snowy Mountains District – Jindabyne
  • Snowy Mountains District – Tumut
• Fisheries Officer– salary from $91,107 to 102,256 per annum(FTE)plus super and leave loading

About the Role

You will be joining theFisheries Compliance Unitwithin theDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries.As a Fisheries Officeryour primary purpose is to ensure all fishers arecomplying withfisheries rules,advisingand educating whereappropriate, and taking compliance actions,whererequiredto protect our fisheries and aquatic resources. Have a look at our latest recruitment video for more information about the role of a Fisheries Officer and for more detailed information use this link. Also have a look at some of thegreat workwe do on theDPIRD Fisheries Facebook Page.

You will also need the skills and experience to allocate resources to meet compliance objectives, drive priorities, exercise sound judgement, prepare and present evidence, compile and review prosecution briefs, and generate reports in line with Fisheries Compliance policies.

As a Fisheries Officer Grade 1/2, you will be:

• Assist in fisheries compliance activities using a range of surveillance mechanisms and evidence collection processes in line with relevant work instructions to meet District/Operational Unit objectives
• Prepare evidence, prosecution briefs, briefing notes and correspondence in line with the Fisheries Compliance Prosecution Work Instructions, and present evidence at court on behalf of DPIRD Fisheries
• Liaise effectively with clients, members of the public and external stakeholders by exercising sound judgement and providing informed advice, and escalating more complex issues to the supervisor
• Assist in the development of operational planning material and participate in routine patrol duties and planned operations to optimise compliance outputs
• Assist in the design and delivery of informative educational programs associated with commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture and conservation programs to convey a knowledge and understanding of issues and legislation to stakeholders and clients
• Undertake routine maintenance of departmental equipment and materials to ensure they are kept in good operational condition

About You-what you need to apply

To be considered for this role, in your application you need to demonstrate and provide good clear examples how you meet the following essential criteria:

1. Ability to build and manage effective stakeholderrelationships.
2. Knowledge and interest in fisheries compliance.
3. Excellent communication skills both verbal andwritten.
4. Problem solving and prioritisation skills.

In addition to the above it is critical that you have the following in line with the Crown Employees Fisheries Staff Award which includes:

1. Current manual driver’s licence, and capability to drive a manual and four-wheel drive vehicle
2. A current boat licence
3. Colour vision
4. Swimming ability (200m)
5. HSC or Equivalent

PLEASE NOTE – YOU NEED ALL OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA AT THE TIME OF SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED AS IT IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE FISHERIES STAFF AWARD.

As part of the recruitment process for this role, you will be required to complete a Police check, health/medical assessment and other assessments as required.

We encourage you to contact us for further information about the role and your application. Please contact hiring manager Christine Rae at [e-mail] or 0400 839 976. You can also view the role description Role Description - Fisheries Officer Grade 1-2 - Fisheries Officer - Fisheries.pdf for further details.

Applications close: Sunday 18 October 2026 at 11:55pm AEST

After applying:

• You’ll receive a confirmation email
• We’ll review all applications once the ad closes
• If shortlisted, you may be invited to interview (in person or Microsoft Teams video)
• Further assessments will follow (e.g. writing task, skills test, psychometric test)
• Reference checks will be completed for final candidates
• The preferred candidate for this role may be required to undergo reference checks, a national police check, bankruptcy check, health assessment and/or other assessments as required.
• Atalentpool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same type that may arise within the next18 months.

About us – together, we are DPIRD

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRDRD) protects,supportsand develops primary industries and regional economies.

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans,vegetationand forests.

The department brings together:

• Local Land Services
• NSW Resources
• Agriculture and Biosecurity
• Fisheries and Forestry
• Regional Development and Delivery.

We have skilled and dedicated teams working in 200 locations across regional NSW. Withnearly 5,000employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRDRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve. Learn more about the benefits of joining our diverse and talented DPIRDRD team.

At DPIRDRD, we are committed to fostering a diverse,equitableand inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, cultural heritage, disability,religionand sexual orientation.

DPIRDRD is a proud Disability Confident Recruiter, Family Inclusive Employer and Carer Friendly Employer

We are committed to ensuring every stage of the recruitment process is accessible and free from barriers. If you require adjustments or information in an alternative format to participate, please contact [e-mail] or the hiring manager listed for a confidential discussion.

We also understand that work is just one part of life. Our Family Inclusive Employer and Carers + Employers Accreditations reflect our commitment to supporting employees to balance work and family responsibilities.