Program Leader Forest Operations Planning

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Shire Of Kellerberrin; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

12% superannuation

4 weeks annual leave

Public holidays and cultural leave

Employee assistance program

National Park Entry Pass

Learning and development programs

Job summary

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) seeks a Program Leader Forest Operations Planning to drive evidence-based forest planning and scheduling of enhancement areas in WA's southwest. You will lead a team, oversee budgets and reports, and collaborate with stakeholders to align with environmental and regulatory requirements.

Based in Bunbury or Manjimup, the role emphasizes governance, performance metrics, and cross-team coordination to deliver strategic planning under

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge and experience in forest planning, ecological forest management or natural resource management, including statutory, strategic and operational planning frameworks.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision and mentoring skills, with ability to manage programs of work and deliver outcomes in a complex environment.
• Extensive experience in GIS, remote sensing, forest inventory, resource assessment and decision-support tools for forest planning, monitoring and reporting.
• Well-developed communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills for technical and strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead identification, prioritisation and scheduling of Forest Enhancement Areas to support the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033.
• Manage the works program and provide technical leadership, advice and reporting across the Branch and with stakeholders.
• Develop systems, tools and metrics to assess planning effectiveness while ensuring evidence-based, transparent processes.

Skills

Forest planning

Leadership & mentoring

GIS & remote sensing

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

GIS software

Remote sensing tools

Forest inventory tools

Decision-support tools

Job description

Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature.

THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN BUNBURY OR MANJIMUP

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT

MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Forest Management Branch plays a critical role in shaping the sustainable future of WA’s native forests by modelling forest resources, planning ecological thinning, and supporting forest operations. Through advanced remote sensing, natural resource inventories, and disease mapping, FMB monitors forest health across the Southwest. It delivers strategic and operational planning, maintains silvicultural records, and provides expert policy advice and corporate information services - ensuring forest management is guided by science, precision, and long-term vision.

We currently have an opportunity for a Program Leader Forest Operations Planning to join our team.

At a professional level and with limited direction, this position leads the identification, prioritisation and scheduling of Forest Enhancement Areas to support implementation of the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033. The role ensures planning is evidence-based, transparent and aligned with environmental, cultural, regulatory and operational requirements, while developing systems, tools and metrics to assess effectiveness. It also manages the works program and provides technical leadership, advice and reporting across the Branch and with key stakeholders.

At the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees and the public sector. In this role, you will be Leading Others to help drive positive change.

Selection Criteria

• Considerable knowledge and experience in forest planning, ecological forest management or natural resource management, including the application of statutory, strategic and operational planning frameworks to support sustainable forest management, forest health, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision and mentoring skills, with the ability to manage programs of work, collaborate effectively within a management team, and deliver outcomes in a complex environment with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Extensive experience in the application of GIS, remote sensing, forest inventory, resource assessment and decision-support tools to support forest planning, landscape prioritisation, monitoring and reporting.
• Well-developed communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports and provide clear technical and strategic advice on complex forest management, planning and policy matters.

About Us

DBCA, one of Western Australia's largest state government agencies, providing exciting and challenging career opportunities in biodiversity conservation and park and natural resource management. We employ people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services, research and educational skills.

Benefits Of Working With Us

• Flexible working arrangements.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Access to study, bereavement, foster caring and parental leave.
• A confidential employee assistant program (EAP) for you and your family, including psychology and counselling services.
• An annual National Park Entry Pass.
• Well-established learning and development programs.

For further job-related information:

contact Jodie Watts on 0429 109 571 or for further information about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

We have a detailed Job Application Kit to provide information about us, the value of the department and practical guidance on the process for you. Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.

Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will need to possess or obtain:

• A current (issue date not older than 6 months) and satisfactory National Police Check.
• A current Western Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.

For the full role description, detailed responsibilities and a full list of selection criteria, please refer to the Job Description link below. The documents linked to this advertisement are available in alternative formats upon request.

Eligibility:

It is essential to have Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency status. Only applicants who meet this eligibility requirement will be considered for this position.

A search for additional applicants may be conducted for this position where necessary to provide a more diverse and/or competitive field.

Substantive Equality Statement

DBCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous Australians, young people, people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and women to apply for positions within our agency. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace. The Department also promotes flexible working arrangements.

Applicants with a disability who require adjustments in the recruitment process, including an alternative to applying online, can contact the Senior Recruitment Officer on [phone] or [e-mail]. Do not send job applications to this email; they will not be accepted.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Similar appointments may be made from this process in locations throughout Western Australia within a 12-month period to positions that may be permanent or contract, including contract appointments with the possibility of subsequent permanency.