Senior Forest and Fire Operations Officer - Field Assessor (Wimmera)

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Safety culture

Hybrid work option

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action seeks a Senior Forest and Fire Operations Officer – Field Assessor for the Wimmera district in Victoria. The role combines field-based assessments, operational planning and emergency management to protect communities and public lands.

The successful candidate will assess forests and fire operations, guide works programs, supervise staff and liaise with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience planning works for delivery of Forest and Fire Operations responsibilities and standards.
• Experience in works program planning, supervision of staff and stakeholder interaction.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist operational advice and undertake field assessments and feasibility checks.
• Support planning and delivery of forest and fire management programs on the ground.
• Coordinate with Planning and Operations teams to ensure safe, practical outcomes during field operations.
• Contribute to emergency response and planned burning activities where deployed across Victoria.

Job description

Senior Forest and Fire Operations Officer - Field Assessor (Wimmera)

Help protect Victoria's communities, forests and public land while building a rewarding career in Forest and Fire Management.

We are seeking a motivated and capable professional to join our team as aSenior Forest and Fire Operations Officer – Field Assessor. This is a diverse and rewarding role that combines field-based assessments, operational planning and emergency management.

Working across a range of landscapes, you will provide specialist operational advice, undertake field assessments and feasibility checks, and support the planning and delivery of forest and fire management programs. You will collaborate closely with Planning and Operations teams to ensure safe, practical and effective outcomes on the ground.

This role offers regular field work, opportunities to develop technical and leadership skills, and the chance to contribute to meaningful work that protects communities and the environment.

What we offer:

• Diverse and challenging work within the Wimmera’s beautiful forests and public lands.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A supportive team environment with a strong safety culture.
• Involvement in emergency response and planned burning operations.
• The opportunity to make a direct contribution to protecting communities, public assets and the environment.

Emergency management is a key component of this position. The successful applicant may be deployed across Victoria for up to seven days to support emergency response and planned burning activities. A high level of fitness is required, as work is often undertaken in steep, remote and physically demanding environments.

If you're passionate about working outdoors, enjoy solving complex operational challenges, and want to make a real difference for Victoria's communities and landscapes, we'd love to hear from you.

Applicants must hold a current manual Drivers Licence (conditions A, I & V not acceptable for employment).

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience planning works for the delivery of Forest and Fire Operations Division responsibilities and standards for forest management, road management, fuel management & emergency preparedness and response programs.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of works program planning process required for implementation of Forest and Fire Operations Division works delivery, supervision of other staff and stakeholder interaction.

This position is ongoing, available within the Wimmera District, Victoria.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and meet the medical and fitness requirements outlined in the position description. Successful applicants will be required to successfully complete the DEECA General Firefighter accreditation.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact [e-mail] .

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.