Permanent, Full Time

Lead strategic bushfire mitigation efforts across a dynamic and diverse landscape and help protect the natural and built environment across our local government area.

Balance life’s priorities – 35-hour week with 9-day fortnight

We are committed to supporting your career growth and development

Lead a supportive team dedicated to delivering exceptional service to the community

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

Our Environmental Systems department has an exciting opportunity for a passionate person to join our Natural Assets Team and be responsible for ensuring bushfire risk mitigation works are managed appropriately across Council’s natural area assets.

You will play a pivotal role in managing bushfire risk across land under Council’s care.

This position combines strategic planning, on-ground implementation, and inter-agency collaboration to ensure Council’s obligations are met.

You will lead and coordinate bushfire hazard reduction programs, support community resilience, manage staff and budgets, and provide expert advice on bushfire-related matters across the organisation and to external stakeholders.

Your other key focus areas are

Coordinate the development and implementation of bushfire hazard reduction programs to meet Council’s responsibilities under the Rural Fires Act 1997 and the relevant Bushfire Risk Management Plan

Lead and manage staff involved in bushfire mitigation works to improve knowledge and skills, to increase Council’s ability to implement mitigation programs and prepare for, respond to and recover from significant bushfire incidents

Monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of Council’s bushfire mitigation programs and review and improve work practices to minimise negative impacts on the environment and community arising from hazard reduction burns and other bushfire mitigation works

Provide expert advice regarding bushfire mitigation in reviewing development applications and representing Council at relevant committees and in consultations with state agencies and significant landholders in the LGA

Manage budgets and actively seek external funding to manage asset protection zones, high priority fire trails, hazard reduction burns and to implement community engagement and ignition management programs and other actions in the Bush Fire Risk Management Plan

Read the position statement and learn more about this exciting opportunity.

The position may require:

Weekend/after hours work

Travel and/or work across multiple LGA sites

Work in field conditions including densely vegetated bushland sites

Attendance at the Emergency Response Operations Centre

LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU

You are a passionate and experienced bushfire management professional with a strong understanding of land and asset management in a local government context. You are a confident leader who can manage both people and programs, balancing strategic planning with hands-on delivery of mitigation works like hazard reduction burns.

You work well under pressure, communicate effectively, and thrive on collaboration with key partners, and the local community.

You bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach, using data, technology and your own expertise to assess risk, prioritise actions, and deliver results.

You are committed to protecting people, property, and the environment through practical, well-planned bushfire resilience programs.

Specifically, you will bring

Degree qualification in Ecology, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Conservation and Land Management or a similar field

Significant demonstrated experience in assessing bushfire risk and developing and implementing bushfire mitigation programs including hazard reduction burns in a local government setting including experience in preparing review of environmental factors (REF).

Specialist knowledge and understanding of the Rural Fires Act and regulation and the NSW Bush Fire Environmental Code, NSW RFS Fire Access and Fire Trail policies, Bush Fire for Existing Development Calculator, Bush Fire Prone Land Mapping, Planning for Bush Fire Protection Guidelines and AS3959.

Demonstrated experience in the proficient use of the NSW Rural Fire Services Guardian System to undertake bushfire risk management planning, reporting and grant applications.

Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated experience explaining bushfire risk and levels of service standards including formal presentations, conflict resolution and preparing correspondence, technical reports and briefing notes

Demonstrated ability to set priorities, develop work schedules and to coach and mentor staff to perform at high levels with a strong customer focus

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

Competitive salary from $114,363 to $132,908 a year plus 12 per cent industry-leading superannuation

35 hour working week with hybrid work model and flexible working hours

Dynamic and empowering management

True balance between strategic planning and practical delivery, with time spent in the field and in the office.

Along with many other perks that come from choosing Lake Mac!

CHOOSE THE LAKE MAC WAY

We know it is our people that will shape the future of our city. That’s why we’re passionate about providing a workplace that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative and bold. When you join the team at Lake Macquarie City Council, you’re joining a group of people with a commitment to make our city even better. We’re proud of our city and the work we do, and we know you will be too.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We believe that a diverse network of employees, which truly reflects the people it serves and represents, is best equipped to understand and meet the needs of our community. We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees and people with disability. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

LET’S START

If this job sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Get your application in by midnight, Sunday 29 June 2025.

For enquiries related to the duties of the role, please contact Dominic Edmonds, Natural Assets Coordinator, on 02 4921 0447 or via email [email protected].

If you need assistance or an adjustment when submitting your application, please click here or contact Georgina Green, Talent Acquisition Advisor, on 02 4921 0495 or via email [email protected].

Your experience throughout the application process matters to us. If you'd like feedback on your application or interview, don't hesitate to get in touch — we're here for you!

To view the Capability Framework – Role Profile relevant to this role, please click here.

To complete your online application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide responses to questions which are based on the criteria listed in the Position Statement.

Please note that as part of Lake Macquarie City Council’s recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.