OO5 Ranger (Fire Operations)

Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Ranger (Fire Operations) role in Townsville seeks experienced leaders for fire management across Central Region. You will deliver planned burning, bushfire response and broader land management outcomes while collaborating with rangers, fire specialists and stakeholders.

You will participate in incident management, emergency operations and disaster response, leading field programs and maintaining records in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in fire management, bushfire operations or emergency response.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to coordinate competing priorities and perform under pressure.
• Sound planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading or supervising operational activities and field-based work programs.
• Commitment to workplace health and safety and risk management principles.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement planned burning and wildfire management activities.
• Participate in bushfire response, incident management and emergency operations.
• Coordinate and lead operational projects and field activities.
• Assist with fire planning, operational preparedness and resource management.
• Maintain fire management records, reporting and operational documentation.
• Support training, exercises and capability development activities.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to natural and cultural resource management outcomes in protected areas.
• Operate and maintain specialised plant, equipment and vehicles.
• Support disaster response and recovery operations as required.

Skills

Fire management

Incident response

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Planning

Communication

Risk management

Field operations

Education

Conservation & ecosystem management / fire management / emergency management (related discipline)

Job description

Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation – Townsville QLD

Join the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Central Region Fire Team. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Ranger with demonstrated skills in fire operations, incident response and land management to help deliver fire management outcomes across Central Region. In this role, you will contribute to planned burning programs, bushfire response operations and emergency management activities while working closely with operational staff, First Nations partners, the Queensland Fire Department and key stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to further develop your operational fire management expertise, leadership skills and incident management experience while helping protect Queensland's parks, forests, communities and environmental values.

OO5 Ranger (Fire Operations)

Are you passionate about fire management, conservation and operational leadership? Join the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Central Region Fire Team and play a key role in delivering fire management outcomes across some of Queensland's most significant protected areas.

As a Ranger (Fire Operations), you will contribute to the delivery of planned burning programs, bushfire response operations, emergency management activities and broader land management outcomes across Central Region. The role supports a strategic and consistent approach to fire management while working closely with operational rangers, fire specialists and key stakeholders.

You will work collaboratively with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS&P), the Queensland Fire Department, First Nations peoples, neighbouring landholders and partner agencies to deliver safe and effective fire management outcomes.

This role offers a diverse mix of field-based and office-based responsibilities. Duties may include:

• Planning and implementing planned burning and wildfire management activities.
• Participating in bushfire response, incident management and emergency operations.
• Coordinating and leading operational projects and field activities.
• Assisting with fire planning, operational preparedness and resource management.
• Maintaining fire management records, reporting and operational documentation.
• Supporting training, exercises and capability development activities.
• Building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to natural and cultural resource management outcomes across protected areas.
• Operating and maintaining specialised plant, equipment and vehicles.
• Supporting disaster response and recovery operations as required.

What we're looking for: We are seeking individuals who are passionate about conservation, fire management and operational excellence. You will thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, and demonstrate strong judgement, initiative and professionalism.

To succeed in this role, you'll need:

• Demonstrated experience in fire management, bushfire operations or emergency response.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to coordinate competing priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
• Sound planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading or supervising operational activities and field-based work programs.
• A commitment to workplace health and safety and risk management principles.
• Strong computer, administrative and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of natural resource management and conservation practices.

Requirements:

• A current unrestricted manual driver's licence is essential.
• Qualifications in conservation and ecosystem management, fire management, emergency management or a related discipline will be highly regarded.
• You must be willing and able to travel regularly, including extended deployments, overnight stays and after-hours work.
• A reasonable level of fitness is required to undertake field-based and emergency response activities.
• Successful applicants may be required to participate in bushfire response, incident management, disaster response and recovery operations.

This position is based in Central Region and Location is negotiable – Mackay, Townsville or Rockhampton preferred, please indicate your location preference for this role on your application.

Accommodation is not provided.

If you're ready to contribute to the protection of Queensland's natural landscapes while developing your fire operations and emergency management capability, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference:

QLD/704121/26

Closing Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026