Forest and Fire Operations Officer (Lorne)

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Lorne; Hybrid; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in Victoria seeks a Forest and Fire Operations Officer to support forest and fire management across the public land estate. You will perform road and track maintenance, vegetation management, fuel reduction, and assist with bushfire response and planned burning.

Roles involve operating equipment and working in remote outdoor environments with a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• Experience working in bushfire response or forest operations is desirable.
• Understanding of safe work practices including awareness of regulations and codes of practice and safety documentation systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake road, track and culvert maintenance
• Assist with vegetation management, tree felling and fuel reduction works
• Operate equipment such as chainsaws, pumps and whipper snippers
• Support planned burning and bushfire response activities
• Work in remote outdoor environments as part of a dedicated team

Skills

Bushfire response

Safe work practices

Job description

Forest and Fire Operations Officer (Lorne)

Help protect Victoria's forests, parks and communities.

DEECA is seeking motivated individuals to join our Forest and Fire Operations team. This hands‑on role combines land management, fire prevention and emergency response activities across Victoria's public land estate.

In this role you will:

• Undertake road, track and culvert maintenance
• Assist with vegetation management, tree felling and fuel reduction works
• Operate equipment such as chainsaws, pumps and whipper snippers
• Support planned burning and bushfire response activities
• Work in remote outdoor environments as part of a dedicated team

About you:

• Enjoy working outdoors in all conditions
• Have a strong commitment to safety
• Are physically fit and capable of working in steep, remote terrain
• Work well in a team and are willing to learn
• Can be deployed across Victoria for up to 7 days during emergency response and planned burning operations

This is a rewarding opportunity to build practical skills while making a real contribution to the management and protection of Victoria's public land and communities.

Join DEECA and help protect Victoria's forests, parks and communities.

This hands‑on outdoor role includes forest management, fire prevention and emergency response activities. You'll operate equipment, undertake vegetation and road maintenance, support planned burning, and assist with bushfire response.

We're looking for people who are safety-focused, physically fit, enjoy working outdoors, and can work in remote locations. Successful applicants may be deployed across Victoria for up to 7 days during emergency response and planned burning operations.

Make a real difference while building practical land management and firefighting skills.

Applicants must hold a current manual Drivers Licence (conditions A, I & V not acceptable for employment).

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Experience working in bushfire response or forest operations is desirable.
• Understanding of application of safe work practices including awareness of regulations and codes of practice and safety documentation systems is desirable.

This position is ongoing, available in the regional location of Lorne, Victoria.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and meet the medical and fitness requirements outlined in the position description.

Successful applicants will be required to successfully complete the DEECA General Firefighter accreditation.

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 [e-mail] .

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.