Fisheries Officer

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

Job summary

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW – Wollstonecraft NSW is hiring a Fisheries Officer Grade 1/2 in the Sydney region. The role focuses on ensuring fishers comply with fisheries rules, advising and educating as needed, and taking compliance actions to protect aquatic resources.

Key duties include allocating resources to meet objectives, preparing evidence and prosecution briefs, and generating reports in line with policies.

Qualifications

• Ability to build and manage effective stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge and interest in fisheries compliance.
• Problem solving and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in fisheries compliance activities using surveillance methods and evidence collection.
• Prepare evidence, prosecution briefs, and briefing notes; present evidence in court for DPIRD Fisheries.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders; provide informed advice and escalate complex issues.
• Assist in operational planning and routine patrols to optimise compliance outputs.
• Deliver educational programs on commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, and conservation.

Skills

Fisheries compliance

Surveillance

Evidence handling

Job description

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW – Wollstonecraft NSW

• 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


• 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:

• Ability to build and manage effective stakeholderrelationships.


• Knowledge and interest in fisheries compliance.


• 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:

• Current manual driver’s licence, and capability to drive a manual and four-wheel drive vehicle


• A current boat licence


• Colour vision


• Swimming ability (200m)


• 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.

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 WalesDepartment 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 benefitsof 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 proudDisability Confident Recruiter,Family Inclusive EmployerandCarer 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 toparticipate, please contact***************@dpird.nsw.gov.au 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.