Manager, Forest and Fire Engagement

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Flexible hours

Job summary

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA in Melbourne VIC is seeking a Manager, Forest and Fire Engagement to lead stakeholder conversations and translate complex needs into practical outcomes. The role sits at the intersection of community, strategy and delivery and will guide a team of engagement professionals alongside operational staff.

You’ll work across the Hume Region to support forest and fire management programs, including planning communications for planned burns and building strong

Qualifications

• Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to lead diverse engagement teams across programs.
• Knowledge of land management or emergency services is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead conversations with communities, First Nations, partner agencies and land managers to turn shared interests into practical outcomes.
• Directly support forest and fire management programs alongside operational staff.
• Build partnerships that shape future land management decisions and planned burning communications.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Strategic communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in Communications or equivalent

Job description

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA – Melbourne VIC

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Do you thrive on bringing people together to solve complex challenges and deliver outcomes that matter?

Across the Hume Region, communities, first nations people, partner agencies and land managers all have a stake in how we manage forests and reduce bushfire risk. As the Manager, Forest and Fire Engagement, you'll lead the conversations that help turn those shared interests into practical, meaningful outcomes. This is a role for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of community, strategy and delivery. You'll lead a team of skilled engagement professionals who work alongside operational staff to support some of the region's most important forest and fire management programs. From helping communities understand planned burning programs to building strong partnerships that shape future land management decisions, your work will have a direct impact on both people and the environment.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience of working in complex environments with multiple stakeholders and building strong working relationships (mandatory)
• A tertiary qualification in Communications and/or equivalent experience (desirable)
• Experience in or knowledge of Victoria's land management or emergency services (desirable)
• A current employee Working with Children Check or ability to obtain this (mandatory)

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Hume Region with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

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 ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

• 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.