This opportunity offers:
- Ongoing employment
- Full time role & 35 hour working week
- RFS Level 10/11
- Attractive annual salary $131,213 - $144,591 p.a. plus 12% superannuation
- Annualised Conditions Allowance (ACA) up to 15% may apply
- Location: Kempsey, Lower North Coast District (flexible working arrangements considered)
- Free on-site car parking
Looking for more information?
Why not reach out to our role expert, Chief Superintendent Kam Baker, Area Commander, for a confidential chat on 0427 260 383 or email
[email protected].
Join Our Team: Protect, Serve, and Make a Difference!
We are the Rural Fire Service (RFS), a dedicated community of volunteers providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95% of NSW. When you work with the RFS, you join a passionate team committed to protecting our neighbours, the wider community, and the environment from the threat of bushfires and other emergencies. With over 70,000 volunteer members and staff, we embody the spirit of mutual respect, support, friendship, and camaraderie. We are one team with many players, united by a single purpose. If you share our passion for community service and environmental protection, we want to hear from you! Become a part of our mission to safeguard lives and our cherished NSW landscapes.
What you’ll be doing:
We’re searching for a resilient, passionate, and community focused leader to take the helm of our Lower North Coast District as District Manager. Could this be you?
This is your opportunity to lead frontline community protection and guide a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are central to keeping our communities safe.
As District Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading, coordinating, and supporting the District’s volunteer and staff workforce to protect the community from the threat of fire and other emergencies.
Reporting to the Hunter Area Commander, you’ll oversee district operations, strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, and ensure the delivery of high quality services that help our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a genuinely dynamic environment, enjoys mentoring and leading a dedicated team, and is motivated by meaningful, purpose driven work.
What’s on Offer:
- A leadership role with real community impact
- Opportunity to guide, develop, and support both staff and volunteers
- Meaningful engagement with local communities and partner agencies
- A supportive organisational culture grounded in service, teamwork, and accountability
You’re someone who:
- Leads with integrity, courage, and clear communication
- Values the contribution of volunteers and community partners
- Makes sound decisions, especially in complex, challenging and ambiguous situations
- Values and fosters trust, teamwork, and
- Can confidently represent the RFS in community, interagency, and operational settings
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Manage district resources, budgets, assets and projects to achieve organisational goals and required performance standards.
- Provide operational direction and leadership to build a culture of teamwork, accountability and community focused outcomes.
- Lead the District in line with RFS strategic direction, including financial planning and effective use of resources.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with RFS policies and procedures.
- Monitor staff performance, ensure training plans are current and address issues promptly to maximise team outcomes.
If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please access the Role Description and our organisation structure.
Note: As per the role description, candidates are required to meet minimum essential requirements. If you do not meet the essential requirements for this role, your application may not progress to shortlisting.
Why work for us?
- Operational uniform available
- Attractive leave entitlements including 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus more
- Free access to our Member Assistance Program (MAP) for all RFS members, and their immediate family
- Salary packaging options available
- One ‘Agreed Absence’ leave day per calendar month
- Ongoing learning and professional development programs (RFS is a Registered Training Organisation giving you access to various internal courses)
- Partnership with Fitness Passport for eligible RFS staff and their families to access more than 845 gyms and pools!
Make the Move to Regional NSW!
This role is located in Regional NSW, which means you’re eligible for The Welcome Experience! The Welcome Experience is a FREE service to help essential workers and their families move to regional NSW with ease. From finding housing and childcare to helping your partner find employment and connecting with the local community, they offer personalised, concierge-like support tailored to your needs.
Discover what life is like in Regional NSW – explore The Welcome Experience and register today!
To embark on your RFS journey:
To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now' through the relevant advertisement on RFS Careers, and attach:
- A cover letter in PDF format, addressing how you meet the essential requirements of the role, outlining your suitability and why you are interested in this opportunity;
- A resume in PDF format, including two current/recent professional referees (please include email address and contact number)
- Respond to two targeted questions within the online application process (maximum 500 words each):
- Provide an example of how you gained stakeholder support for a project or change? Why was this important?
- What is your leadership style? Share an example where it led to team success.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare their applications independently to ensure they accurately reflect their skills and experience. The Rural Fire Service values authentic, original responses that reflect individual perspectives and alignment with its values and priorities. Skills, knowledge, and capability will be assessed and verified through the capability assessment process.
Please submit your application no later than 11:55pm Monday 8th June 2026.
Important recruitment Information
- A recruitment (talent) pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill future ongoing, temporary, casual and term, full time or part time opportunities.
- We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to ensuring our employees represent the diversity of communities that we serve.
- If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please include any details that you are comfortable sharing during the application process, alternatively, you can reach out to the role expert to discuss.
- 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.
Learn more about how RFS members support communities across NSW below
Vacancy Reference: R26-169
This may not be the role for you, however you can check out other vacancies in the RFS here, or consider volunteering with your local Brigade.
