Team Leader Pest Operations

National Parks & Wildlife Service; Narrabri; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued days off

Wellbeing programs

In-house training

Job summary

National Parks & Wildlife Service in Narrabri (NSW) is seeking a Team Leader Pest Operations to lead feral animal and weed management across the Northern Inland Branch, protecting parks and heritage. As a new role, you will provide strategic leadership, coordinate programs, work with park management, landholders and agencies to plan, implement and evaluate pest management across multiple areas.

This full-time 35-hour-a-week position offers a challenging rural lifestyle, a salary relative to

Qualifications

• Demonstrated high level experience in invasive species management and control.
• Understanding of firearms and pesticide management requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead feral animal and weed management programs across the Northern Inland Branch.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure pest management programs are effective and compliant.
• Oversee planning, implementation and evaluation of pest management across multiple parks.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement for operational delivery and conservation outcomes.

Skills

Invasive species management

Pesticide management

Firearms licence (advantageous)

Education

Australian driver’s licence

Job description

• Team Leader Pest Operations (Clerk Grade 9-10)
• Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) opportunity
• Role is based in Narrabri (negotiable within Northern Inland Branch)
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $133,348 to $146,945 + employer's contribution to superannuation Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW? Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

About the role

As a newly created position, this is an exciting opportunity to lead feral animal and weed management in national parks across North West NSW and play a key role in protecting some of the region’s most important natural and cultural values. The Northern Inland Branch manages 173 parks and reserves across a diverse range of landscapes, including World Heritage-listed rainforest areas, the Pilliga forest reserves, Ramsar-listed wetlands, declared wilderness and significant Aboriginal joint management parks. The Branch protects more than 250 threatened species and 22 endangered ecological communities and works closely with local communities to conserve these special places for future generations. Based in regional North West NSW, this role offers more than a career opportunity. It's a chance to build a lifestyle, become part of welcoming rural communities and enjoy the space, connection and quality of life that comes with living and working in the region. As Team Leader Pest Operations, you will lead a team of specialists responsible for developing, coordinating and continuously improving feral animal and weed management programs across Northern Inland Branch. You will provide strategic leadership to ensure pest management programs across the branch are effective, compliant and aligned to NPWS and government priorities. Working closely with park management teams, landholders and partner agencies, you will oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of pest management programs across multiple management areas. You will also drive innovation and continuous improvement to support effective operational delivery and achieve lasting conservation outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to influence conservation outcomes at scale, support innovation in pest management and ensure operational programs deliver real results on the ground.

Key knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated understanding of the legislative, policy and operational requirements associated with firearms and pesticide management relevant to feral animal and weed management.
• Holding, or having the capacity to obtain, a relevant firearms licence would be advantageous.

Essential requirements

• A current Australian driver’s licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel within NSW from time to time, as required by the role.
• Demonstrated high level experience in the application of contemporary invasive species management and control practices.

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy. DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations. DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry. We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

What we can offer you

• Accrued days off in addition to Annual Leave
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training.

What we do

Visit a park

Please also note, to be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.

Applications close: Sunday, 8 November 2026 at 11:55pm

We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.