Plant Operator - Bathurst

Forestry Corporation of NSW; Bathurst; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regional Talent Incentive

Go1 online learning access

Employee benefits package

Job summary

Forestry Corporation of NSW is seeking skilled Plant Operators to join our Bathurst region teams on permanent or maximum term contracts. You will operate and maintain heavy plant across forest road construction and maintenance, contributing to safe haulage routes and environmental compliance.

This hands-on outdoor role requires HC driving licence, experience with dozers or graders, and readiness for fire standby duties. You will work with a safety-focused crew and access ongoing learning via Go1.

Qualifications

• Experience safely operating dozers, graders or heavy plant in road construction/maintenance.
• Current HC driver licence with ability to transport heavy plant.
• Willingness to undertake fire standby and after-hours work.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain heavy plant across forest road construction and maintenance.
• Help maintain safe, reliable haulage routes while meeting safety and environmental standards.
• Participate in recurring fire standby roster and after-hours/weekend work.

Skills

Heavy plant operation

HC licence

Manual labour

Tools

iPads

Job description

At Forestry Corporation of NSW, we’re passionate about caring for country, community, and each other. Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do - everyone home, injury free, every day. We respect our environment and each other, act with integrity, and challenge ourselves to innovate for a better future.

The opportunity:

Join Forestry Corporation of NSW as a permanent or maximum term Plant Operator, supporting sustainable plantation forestry across the Bathurst Region. These roles help construct and maintain our strategic forest road network, including key haulage routes that keep timber moving safely and efficiently from plantation to customers. Plant Operators also assist with firebreak maintenance and are important contributors to our firefighting activities.

What we can offer you:

• A mix of Permanent and maximum term roles offering stability and meaningful work on essential forest road operations
• Hands-on outdoor work across the plantation forest estate, operating a range of heavy plant
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to build your operational capability and knowledge, including access to self-paced online learning through Go1
• A supportive, safety-focused team environment where people look out for one another and work together to deliver practical outcomes.
• Access to a range of employee benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and working life
• Regional Talent Incentive

About the role:

As a Plant Operator, you will operate and maintain a range of heavy plant and vehicles across forest road construction and maintenance activities. Working under general direction, you will help maintain safe, reliable haulage routes while meeting environmental, safety and quality standards. You will also be required to participate on a recurring fire standby roster which involves after hours (weekday) and weekend work (penalty rates apply).

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience safely and efficiently operating dozers, graders, or other heavy plant machinery in road construction and maintenance, with sound knowledge of quality control, safety and environmental standards.
• Current Heavy Combination (HC) driver licence, with the ability to transport heavy plant using a tri-axle plant trailer and gravel tipper trailer.
• Good verbal communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, follow complex instructions and plans, read maps, navigate, and accurately interpret and record figures and basic field data.
• Ability to undertake manual labour.
• Ability to complete daily heavy plant prestart inspections and report maintenance requirements.
• Capacity and willingness to undertake fire standby, fire suppression and hazard reduction activities, including operating heavy plant on a fire line, working extended hours and maintaining sufficient fitness for the role.
• Basic computer skills and the ability and willingness to use iPads, learn new technologies and complete administrative tasks.
• An interest in or knowledge of forestry operations and protection activities, including weed and pest control, fire management, planning and suppression, and silviculture.
• Willingness to undertake and complete all training and courses required for the role.

For further information about the role, please contact:

Kobus Maree, Roading operations controller via: 0428 638 795

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Sunday 22 November 2026 @ 11:59PM AEDST