Manager Regulatory Operations Port Phillip

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA in Knoxfield (Port Phillip Region) seeks a collaborative leader to head Regulatory Operations. The role focuses on education, compliance and enforcement across wildlife, public land use and fire prevention, balancing risk with program delivery.

You'll lead a regional team, translate intelligence into targeted action, oversee wildlife authorisations and make complex regulatory decisions, building strong partnerships with regulators and communities while

Qualifications

• Knowledge of conservation regulatory legislation and policy.
• Strong analytical and risk assessment abilities.
• Understanding of health and safety risk in regulatory work.
• Experience in business process mapping and design.
• Analytical assessment and evaluation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a regional team delivering education, compliance and enforcement.
• Turn intelligence and risk assessments into targeted actions.
• Oversee regional wildlife authorisations.
• Make complex regulatory decisions balancing priorities.
• Foster collaborations with regulators and communities.

Skills

Conservation regulatory legislation

Analytical and risk assessment

Health and safety risk assessment

Business process mapping and design

Regulatory decision making

Education

Degree in regulatory/environmental field

Job description

Manager Regulatory Operations Port Phillip

Bushfire and Forest Services - DEECA – Knoxfield VIC

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Take on a key leadership position in the Conservation Regulator's Regulatory Operations Branch, with responsibility for the Port Phillip region and influence across our statewide work.

In this fast-paced, varied role, you'll lead a regional team delivering education, compliance and enforcement across wildlife, public land use and fire prevention. You'll turn intelligence and risk assessments into targeted action, oversee regional wildlife authorisations and make complex regulatory decisions, balancing emerging issues with planned compliance programs.

Working closely with regulatory partners and communities, you'll build effective relationships, strengthen compliance and help prevent environmental harm. Alongside fellow leaders, you'll contribute to branch-wide priorities and improvements in how we regulate.

We're looking for a collaborative, decisive leader who develops people, exercises sound judgement and provides clear direction when priorities compete. You'll foster a safe, inclusive and accountable team culture and bring the strategic perspective and operational focus to turn priorities into results.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of conservation regulatory legislation, policy and implementation.
• Well-developed analytical and risk assessment skills
• Good knowledge of health and safety risk assessment relating to regulation work.
• Skills in business process mapping and design.
• Analytical assessment and evaluation skills

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is Knoxfield (Negotiable within Port Phillip Region)

with hybrid work arrangements available.

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

Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 22 November 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.