CFA is an emergency service that places the community at the centre of everything we do. We work to protect lives and property across Victoria, every hour of the day.
Our organisation is made up of employees working alongside more than 51,000 volunteers. We value the different skills, experience and viewpoints that people bring, because they strengthen how we operate and support the services Victorians rely on.
We aim to be a workplace where people feel supported to do meaningful work, develop professionally and contribute to outcomes that matter to the people and places we serve.
To learn more about who we are and the work we do, visit our About Us page.
About the Roles
We have two exciting Program Manager opportunities within CFA Fleet Engineering. One role will lead the delivery of the VESEP and Rural Appliance Programs, while the second will manage the Urban and Specialist Fleet Program.
CFA Rural & VESEP refers to the management and support of vehicles and equipment used in rural environments such as wildfire and open grasslands. This includes rural fire fighting tankers, bulk water carriers, command vehicles and a range of operational support vehicles The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) is a Victorian Government initiative that provides significant funding to CFA brigades to purchase essential vehicles, appliances and equipment, helping strengthen emergency service capability across Victoria.
CFA Fleet Urban & Specialist refers to the management and support of vehicles and equipment used for urban firefighting and specialised emergency response. This includes urban fire appliances, rescue, command, hazmat and technical response vehicles.
As a Program Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of fleet programs, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and achieve the intended outcomes for the organisation. You'll also lead a team of specialist engineers, providing technical leadership, direction and support to deliver innovative fleet solutions that meet the needs of CFA volunteers and staff across Victoria.
Working closely with senior leaders, project managers, volunteers, government and industry stakeholders, you'll oversee planning, governance, risk management, reporting and program performance while driving continuous improvement and consistent project delivery. The position will require occasional regional travel (Vehicle provided to do so).
Reporting to the Head of Fleet Services, you will:
- Lead the delivery of major fleet programs from planning through to completion.
- Provide strategic advice and direction to senior leaders, project managers and key stakeholders.
- Monitor program performance, budgets, risks, dependencies and benefits to keep delivery on track.
- Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and updates for senior management and governance committees.
- Build strong relationships across CFA, government, suppliers and industry partners.
- Ensure projects follow CFA governance, quality standards, policies and processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve program delivery and share best practice across the organisation.
About you
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or significant program/project management skills/experience mandatory.
- Superior project management expertise in program management applied to the delivery of significant programs in a complex environment with the ability to influence and build organisational and team capability in this field.
- Ability to prepare and present exceptional, professional, concise and insightful project management reporting and briefing materials for senior management.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to successfully develop relationships, manage and influence stakeholder engaging with both internal and external parties at all level of organisations.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to manage complex issues and projects to develop innovative solutions and provide authoritative advice on complex organizational problems.
- High level understanding and experience in risk management with the ability to identify and manage a broad range of risks and business dependencies with strong skills in negotiation, influencing, networking, stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Political acumen and a mature understanding of, and commitment to, the complexities and protocols of Government and Industrial Relations processes with the ability to provide influential recommendations to CFA senior management.
Why choose CFA
- Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
- Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
- Flexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangements
- Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
- Wellbeing Focus: Health Ready programs, flu vaccinations
- Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways
Your Application
Click the `Apply' button to access our online application portal. You will be prompted to provide your personal and contact details and to respond to employment-related questions. When applying for a position with CFA, please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) and resume that clearly demonstrate your qualifications, experience and the key attributes and skills relevant to the role.
Pre-employment Checks
Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who are able to successfully complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working Rights Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check. You will also be required to provide at least two professional references.
Applications close: 11:59pm 30th July 2026
What to expect from our recruitment process
CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves. First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.
If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email [email protected]
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here. For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact [email protected]
