Senior Fire Policy Officer

jobs.wa.gov.au; Sydney; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

4 weeks annual leave

Salary packaging options

Flexible working arrangements

Employee assistance program

Annual Park Entry Pass

Free staff parking

Job summary

DBCA in Kensington, Western Australia is seeking a senior policy lead to coordinate the Fire Policy and Planning program, working with state and regional stakeholders to support prescribed burning and bushfire management outcomes.

Leading others and delivering advice, you will manage ministerial correspondence and be heavily involved in conflict resolution and litigation matters while aligning with risk and project management practices.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of, and experience working in natural land management, or a closely related field with emphasis on formulating, implementing and evaluating policy designed to improve operational delivery of a complex stakeholder service.
• Evidence of well-developed interpersonal and oral communication skills and experience negotiating, communicating and liaising with the community, media, government organisations, industries and stakeholder groups.
• Considerable experience in the effective management and leadership of teams, with ability to set direction, priorities, introduce change and resolve conflict.
• Substantial experience in management systems including risk management, project management, budget management, and information technology.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the policy function for Fire Management Services Branch.
• Works with stakeholders at state and regional levels to enable the department to deliver prescribed burning and bushfire management responsibilities.
• Coordinates the provision of advice and management of Ministerial correspondence and is involved in conflict resolution and litigation matters.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Risk management

Project coordination

Job description

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

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN KENSINGTON

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT MIDDAY ON TUESDAY,29 SEPTEMBER 2026

Job Description

Under minimal direction from the Manager Fire Policy and Planning, this position:

• Coordinates the policy function for Fire Management Services Branch.
• Works with a broad range of stakeholders at a State and regional level to enable the department to deliver its prescribed burning and bushfire management responsibilities.
• Coordinates the provision of advice and management of Ministerial correspondence prepared and is heavily involved in the management of conflict resolution and litigation matters.

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

Applicants should address the following four (4) criteria. These should be addressed in no more than three (3) pages in total.

• Substantial knowledge of, and experience working in natural land management, or a closely related field with a particular emphasis on formulating, implementing and evaluating policy designed to improve operational delivery of a complex stakeholder service with a preference for working knowledge of fire management processes.
• Evidence of well-developed interpersonal and oral communication skills and considerable experience in effectively negotiating, communicating and liaising with the community, media, other government organisations, industries and stakeholder groups at a range of levels, depending on the audience knowledge and background.
• Considerable experience in the effective management and leadership of teams, with demonstrated ability to set clear direction and priorities, introduce change, achieve outcomes, review and adjust performance, and resolve conflict using appropriate strategies.
• Substantial experience and competence in management systems; including risk management, project management, budget management, and information technology.

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.

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at DBCA is an attractive proposition, please visit our website.

Benefits of working with us

In addition to the attractive salary and opportunities to contribute to biodiversity and environmental conservation initiatives, the department offers incentives including:

• Staff discounts at gyms, pools and fitness centres (where available) through the Fitness Passport program.
• 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.
• Free staff parking.

For further job‑related information: contact Katie MacWilliams on 0427 255 *** or for further information about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

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.

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 ***********@dbca.wa.gov.au. 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.

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