Operations Manager Unit Support - Barwon

Victoria State Emergency Service; Geelong; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria State Emergency Service Geelong is seeking an Operations Manager – Unit Support to lead a Unit Support Team, guide volunteer units and strengthen regional readiness for emergencies.

You will work closely with senior officers to plan operations, develop capability, and sustain readiness to respond effectively. This is a community‑facing leadership role with travel as required, including Duty Officer responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in emergency management and working with volunteers.
• Strong leadership and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Unit Support Team (UST) and provide general guidance to VICSES Volunteer Units.
• Collaborate with SACO and ACO to develop business plans and operational readiness.
• Engage with local Government Authorities and emergency partners to enhance regional response capabilities.

Job description

Operations Manager Unit Support - Barwon

Victoria State Emergency Service – Geelong VIC

Lead where it matters most — supporting volunteers, strengthening capability, and keeping communities safe.
Use your operational leadership and emergency management experience to lead a dedicated team that partners with VICSES Volunteer Units to build readiness, capability and confidence on the ground. In this influential role, you’ll work alongside dedicated volunteers and emergency service partners, providing practical guidance and leadership that enables effective response to communities.

This is an opportunity for a community-focused manager who understands volunteers, values collaboration, and thrives in dynamic operational environments to make a difference across their region.

• $116,413 to $128,631 + 15% Commuted Allowance + 12% Super
• Ongoing - Full Time
• Meaningful leadership role with real community impact

Operational requirement: Ability to travel from home or another non-work location to the Regional Office or nominated Incident Control Centre (ICC) within 60 minutes when rostered as Duty Officer (Outside Ordinary Hours of Work)

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Operations Manager – Unit Support leads a Unit Support Team (UST), and is responsible for ensuring service delivery, general guidance and support of VICSES Volunteer Units in collaboration with the Senior Assistant Chief Officer - Unit Support & Regional Operations (SACO) and the Assistant Chief Officer - Unit Support, Community Engagement and Emergency Management (ACO). This includes business planning and operational capability, developing and maintaining the required standard of operational readiness to enable effective response to emergencies, emergency management including engagement with Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and Emergency Services, community engagement incorporating volunteer recruitment and retention.

This role will actively undertake operational command and control functions during specific local, regional and/or state‑wide operations performing the Duty Officer function and/or Incident Management Team (IMT) role.

For more information on Commuted Allowance/IMT/Duty Officer role, please see this factsheet

WHO WE ARE:

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer‑based emergency service. Our highly skilled and equipped Volunteers are trained comprehensively in a wide range of emergency environments. To minimise the impact of emergencies when they occur and strengthen the community's capacity to recover swiftly and safely, VICSES focuses on working with communities and partners in building resilience to achieve more aware, informed and prepared communities. We support them to understand their risk and the relevance of taking action before, during and after emergency events.

As the largest road rescue network in Australia we have specialist teams that provide a 24/7 response to road accident and trauma incidents. We assist Victoria Police in search and rescue operations, and play an important role in supporting the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) during major bushfire and emergency incidents.

Applications close Monday, October 26, 2026.

VICSES is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable people, upholding the highest standards of integrity and community trust, and leading gender equality in the emergency management sector. All applicants are required to complete the relevant screening processes prior to appointment. VICSES also supports flexible working arrangements, subject to operational and business requirements. For more information on our values, benefits, and recruitment process, please visit ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/careers