The organisation

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is a frontline service delivery agency of significant standing, our focus is on the protection of our community and environment. We are the world’s largest volunteer firefighting service, with over 70,000 members, proudly built on a strong tradition of service, trust, resilience, respect, and teamwork. For over 100 years RFS have been a vital part of the community, working hard to protect life, property and the environment from bush fires and other emergencies.

When you join the RFS you know you are part of something special, where they are here for the community – with heart, humanity, and an enduring promise to serve.

The opportunity

The Director, Learning & Development (L&D) is a newly created executive leadership role responsible for leading the development, implementation and governance of comprehensive learning & development strategies to enhance individual and organisational capability, enabling the achievement of organisational objectives.

Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner, Strategic Capability and leading a team of five direct reports, the Director, Learning & Development will oversee L&D initiatives across induction, training programs, assessments and professional development programs, ensuring they are fit for purpose, scalable and effective across all levels of the organisation. The role will also oversee the NSW RFS training academy, ensuring sustainability and alignment to current and future requirements.

The Director, Learning & Development will work collaboratively with the Commissioner and broader executive leadership team, providing advice on L&D opportunities to facilitate informed, evidence-based decision making while also enabling leaders to champion a purpose-driven, continuous learning culture.

Our ideal candidate

For this role, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced senior leader with a proven track record in the development, implementation and governance of learning & development strategies and initiatives, ideally within a firefighting or broader emergency services environment.

The ability to scale L&D strategies across a large scale, safety critical and geographically dispersed workforce to deliver on organisational objectives is critical and an appreciation and understanding of volunteer-based community services is highly advantageous. Additionally, you will be confident in engaging with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to drive a culture of continuous improvement across all levels of the organisation and more broadly across the emergency services sector. Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning platforms is also essential.

To be eligible for consideration for this role you must have:

• A degree in Learning and Development, a relevant related field including Emergency Management or Leadership combined with equivalent experience.
• A current Driver Licence and the willingness and ability to travel.
• During periods of major fire activity, the incumbent may be required to support operational management activities consistent with their skills and background.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Jess Lewy or Simon Wybenga of The Orchard Talent Group via email [email protected] quoting job reference #01

To apply, please submit your current CV and a 1-2 page cover letter via email to [email protected] quoting job reference #01. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.

Please submit your application no later than 11:59pm Wednesday 11th June 2025. Please note a concurrent executive search is underway through Orchard Talent Group.

Recruitment Information – NSW Rural Fire Service

• We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal people, LGBTIQA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• The recruitment process may involve a range of assessment activities to determine your capabilities for the role (aligning to the NSW PSC Capability Framework). The Capability application tool is designed to help job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. Additional checks for successful applicants will include referee checks and criminal history checks.
• A recruitment (talent) pool may be created through this recruitment process.

The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.