Forest and Fire Operations Officer - Field Team Leader - Barwon Downs

Lead from the front and make a real difference on the ground in one of Victoria’s most beautiful landscapes, featuring diverse forest types from rugged coastlines to mountain ranges and stony rises.

Join our team at Barwon Downs as a Forest and Fire Operations Officer – Field Team Leader.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll guide field crews, coordinate daily work, and deliver fire prevention, planned burning, and land management activities across Victoria’s public land. You’ll be out there with the team, helping make sure work is done safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Working closely with Field Operations Supervisors and the Workcentre Operations Coordinator, you’ll help deliver works on the ground while leading and supporting our Seasonal Forest and Fire Operations Officers to develop in the role and build their skills.

You’ll be part of a team that takes pride in what they do, looks out for each other, and brings a range of backgrounds and experience.

The role offers a mix of planned work and emergency response, with opportunities for deployment across Victoria. It’s practical, team-based work that contributes directly to protecting our forests, public land, and communities.

We love the work we do and the team that makes it happen.

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

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

Demonstrated experience and understanding in leading field work delivery teams is desirable.

Demonstrated experience and understanding in natural resource management, preferably with good knowledge of forest management/forest operations.

Ability to achieve accreditation and maintain competencies in Crew Leader/Operations Officer Level 1.

This position is ongoing, available in the regional location of Barwon Downs, Victoria.

You’ll have the chance to explore and protect stunning landscapes whilst earning a competitive salary ranging from $66,265 to $74,200 per annum, plus superannuation.

Your salary will reflect your skills and experience, rewarding your commitment to our mission.

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.

How to Apply:
If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers.

Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 19 July 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

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 [email protected] .

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 .