Senior Species and Land Management Officers (3x Positions)

DEECA; Colac; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Colac VIC is recruiting for Senior Species and Land Management Officers to support Committees of Management in responding to H5N1 Bird Flu impacts and to lead a range of environmental resilience activities.

The role includes day-to-day delivery, supervision of a team of Officers, and coordinating regional work programs with safety and reporting at the core.

Qualifications

• Current Drivers Licence is required.
• 4WD experience mandatory.
• Preferred: Firearm Licence.
• Preferred: Agricultural Chemical Users Permit with 1080 endorsement.
• DEECA 4WD accreditation preferred.
• Ability to undertake site inspections and record disease, pest or weed presence.
• Knowledge of vertebrate pest management methods and related legislation.
• Ability to supervise field teams and coach staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of field programs across Western Victoria and other locations as required.
• Coordinate approved regional work programs and translate priorities into safe field schedules.
• Assure compliance with Vertebrate Species Management Program procedures, safety, quality standards and reporting.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to team members; review records and completed work.
• Escalate matters requiring specialist, procurement or capital works pathways.
• Engage with land managers, Committees of Management, contractors and community stakeholders to resolve operational issues.

Skills

Site inspections

Team leadership

Field safety

Vertebrate pest management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Senior Species and Land Management Officers (3x Positions)

DEECA – Colac VIC

Contract, Full time

4d ago , from Victorian Department of Energy and Climate Action

The Senior Species and Land Management Officer will support Committees of Management in responding to H5N1 Bird Flu impacts and deliver a range of environmental resilience activities. As the Senior, this Officer is responsible for day-to-day delivery. supervision and leadership of a team of Species and Land Management Officers. Reporting directly to the Project Manager, Species and Land Management, the position coordinates approved regional work programs, translates priorities into safe and achievable field schedules, and assures compliance with Vertebrate Species Management Program procedures, safety, quality standards and reporting requirements.

The supervisor leads localised response to H5N1 clean up and surveillance, field delivery of approved vertebrate pest management, related invasive species activities, environmental monitoring and public land support activities. The position allocates and monitors work, verifies tasking alignment with team competency, leads field risk assessment, provides technical guidance and coaching, reviews records and completed work, and escalates matters requiring specialist, statutory, procurement or capital works pathways.

This position will be based at Beaufort/Colac/Epsom and requires flexibility to supervise fieldwork across Western Victorian regions and other locations where required.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

Mandatory Qualifications -

• Current Drivers Licence
• 4WD experience

Preferred but not essential -

• Current Firearm Licence
• Agricultural Chemical Users Permit with 1080 endorsement
• DEECA recognised 4WD accreditation

Specialist/Technical Expertise -

• Ability to undertake site inspections, assess and record disease, pest or weed presence, hazards and basic site condition, and provide factual field information to support land manager prioritisation and approved work planning.
• Detailed knowledge of vertebrate pest management methods, control substances, relevant legislation, operational procedures and practical field activities that manage invasive species impacts on biodiversity and biosecurity values.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply safe work practices, standard operating procedures, job safety plans, work orders, authorisations and escalation requirements, and to supervise others in their consistent application.
• Ability to review site assessments, operational risks and field recommendations; select or recommend appropriate operational procedures; and provide practical advice on approved pest management and low-risk public land activities.
• Proven ability to lead field teams, coach employees and establish effective working relationships with internal partners, land managers, voluntary Committees of Management, contractors and community stakeholders, including resolving operational issues and challenging interactions.

There are 3 fixed term positions available until 31 December 2027. The work location for these positions are:

• 1 x Colac (50970787)

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

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

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 ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

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.

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