Manager Area

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Goorianawa; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued days off

Fitness Passport

In-house training & learning

Job summary

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is seeking an Area Manager, Castlereagh to lead a dispersed, multi-disciplinary team across Baradine and Coonabarabran. You will shape conservation outcomes, visitor experiences and park operations while delivering strategic and practical results.

This senior role offers regional influence, a competitive salary package of 154,231–178,369 AUD plus superannuation, and opportunities to work with Aboriginal communities on joint management across 33 parks.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading diverse, dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver park management ops and visitor services.
• Strong judgement in senior advisory, budgeting and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire incident planning, preparedness and response.
• Deliver safe, high-quality visitor experiences.
• Guide environmental assessment and conservation planning.
• Drive threatened species conservation programs.
• Coordinate feral animal and weed management.
• Build partnerships with Aboriginal communities and support joint management.
• Oversee assets and infrastructure.
• Protect and conserve historic heritage.
• Manage budgets and financial performance.
• Maintain governance and operational systems.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Incident management

Strategic planning

Aboriginal partnerships

Job description

Lead with purpose. Care for Country. Make a lasting difference in regional NSW.

An exceptional regional leadership opportunity with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

• Area Manager, Castlereagh (Clerk Grade 11-12) Ongoing full-time role
• Work from Baradine or Coonabarabran
• Package includes salary $154,231-$178,369 plus employer’s contribution to superannuation (and other incentives)
  

About the role

This is the kind of leadership role that can define a career. As Area Manager, Castlereagh, you will lead people and operations across some of the state’s most distinctive landscapes - making decisions that protect natural and cultural values, support safe and memorable visitor experiences, and deliver genuine benefits for local communities.

Working from Baradine or Coonabarabran, you will have the scope and influence of a senior regional role while remaining closely connected to the people, places and communities your team serves. You will join the Northern Inland Branch management team and lead a committed, multidisciplinary workforce delivering practical outcomes across conservation, visitor services, infrastructure and park operations.

The Castlereagh Area includes 33 parks extending from the tall montane landscapes of Coolah Tops through the extensive Pilliga forests and Warrumbungle National Park to the internationally recognised Macquarie Marshes. The Area includes campgrounds, walking tracks and two NPWS-managed visitor centres, with up to 31 staff working across Coonabarabran, Warrumbungle National Park, Baradine, Gunnedah and the Macquarie Marshes. The Area Manager also supports and participates in the Deriah and Pilliga Gawaambaraay Aboriginal Joint Management Committees.

You will oversee specialist teams in the management of park operations and conservation delivery across the Area, including:

• Lead fire incident planning, preparedness and response
• Deliver safe, high-quality visitor experiences
• Guide environmental assessment and conservation planning
• Drive threatened species conservation programs
• Coordinate Feral animal and weed management
• Build strong partnerships with Aboriginal communities and support cultural heritage and joint management outcomes
• Oversee assets and infrastructure
• Protect and conserve historic heritage
• Manage budgets and financial performance
• Maintain effective governance and operational systems
  

About you

You may already be leading in land management, regional operations, emergency or incident management, infrastructure, conservation, community services or another complex operational setting. What matters is that you know how to bring people together, set clear direction and turn strategy into practical results.

You will be a relatable and credible leader who is comfortable working across dispersed locations, balancing competing priorities and building trusted relationships with Aboriginal communities, local communities, partners and stakeholders. You do not need to be actively looking for your next move - if you are an experienced operational leader seeking meaningful work, regional influence and the opportunity to care for Country, we encourage you to consider what this role could offer.

• Extensive experience managing diverse, dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver a diverse range of park management operations and visitor services aligned to strategic organisational outcomes and competence in incident management planning and control.
• Extensive experience and proven ability to exercise sound judgement in working in a senior function including the provision of advice on management of various issues and provision of high level support.
• Proven ability to work in collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal communities to deliver cultural and environmental outcomes; and/or demonstrated ability in working with Aboriginal boards and committees under joint management arrangements.
• Current NSW Driver’s License.
  

For more information read the - Manager Area

NPWS is committed to building a robust pipeline of talent and ensuring strong representation of women in leadership roles. We aim to achieve a balanced and diverse leadership team. As such, we strongly encourage female candidates who possess the necessary capabilities and experience for these roles to apply.

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

What we can offer you

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is a great place to expand your career and grow your skills and knowledge.

• Accrued days off in addition to Annual Leave
  
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
  
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training.
  

What we do

• About NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
• Visit a park
• Northern InlandBranchOverview
  

Employment eligibility and visa sponsorship

Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur where no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified and must not exceed the duration or conditions associated with the current visa.

Sponsorship may be considered for applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and are eligible for sponsorship, where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident has been identified.

Applications close: Sunday, 8 November 2026 at 11:55pm

We are expecting your call and are really keen to discuss this position with prospective applicants. Please contact John Whittall, Director Northern Inland Branch on 0428 693 909 or [e-mail]

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.