Plant Operators - Bombala

Forestry Corporation of NSW; Mount Darragh; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regional Talent Incentive

Job summary

Forestry Corporation of NSW is seeking a permanent or fixed-term Plant Operator to support plantation forestry across Tumut and Bombala. You’ll operate heavy plant, help maintain forest road networks and contribute to firefighting activities in a safety-focused team.

The role requires HC licence, manual labour capacity, and willingness to undertake fire standby and extended hours. Training, Go1 learning access, and a range of outdoor duties are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience safely operating dozers, graders or heavy plant in road construction/maintenance.
• Current HC driver licence with ability to transport heavy plant.
• Good verbal communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to undertake manual labour.
• Complete daily heavy plant prestart inspections and report maintenance needs.
• Willingness to undertake fire standby, fire suppression and hazard reduction activities.
• Basic computer skills and comfort using tablets (iPads) and new tech.
• Interest in forestry operations, weed/pest control, fire management and silviculture.
• Willingness to undertake training and courses for the role.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Heavy machinery

HC License

Communication

Manual labour

Prestart inspections

Fire standby

Digital literacy

Forestry knowledge

Training willingness

Tools

iPads

Go1 online learning

Job description

Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is the largest manager of commercial plantation and native forests in NSW. We manage more than two million hectares of forests for the environmental, economic, and social benefit of the people of NSW and Australia. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and are focused on empowering our people to use their creativity, authenticity and innovative thinking to be the champions of change now and into the future. That is why no matter who you are, we encourage you to apply for the job that’s right for you. We aim to have a workforce that reflects the diverse communities in which we work and so we strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

Plant Operators Tumut & Bombala

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 Tumut and Bombala Regions. 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

• Tumut: Lisa Davies, Roading Operations Coordinator via: 0428 113 362.
• Bombala: Brody Caddis, Roading Supervisor via: [e-mail]

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 8 November 2026 @ 11:59PM AEDST

Depending on the role the preferred candidate will be required to satisfactorily complete a Drug and Alcohol screening, and/or Medical Assessment and/or a Fire Task Based Assessment (TBA). For roles requiring, the successful candidate(s) must be fit to perform firefighting activities, which may include working in smoky conditions and the ability to be physically active in uneven or steep terrain. Offers of employment for these roles are subject to the results of the pre-employment Medical Assessment which may preclude candidates high risk conditions from being able to meet the inherent requirements of the role.