Ready to lead forest and fire management operations in one of Victoria's most significant landscapes?
If you are an experienced leader who thrives in complex operational environments and is passionate about delivering outcomes for communities, forests and emergency management then this could be the role for you.
DEECA is seeking an outstanding leader to join Forest and Fire Operations as the District Manager, Murrindindi. This pivotal role is responsible for leading integrated forest and fire management across the district, including public land stewardship, planned burning, emergency preparedness and response, and community engagement.
As a key member of the regional leadership team, you will lead a diverse workforce, build strong partnerships across government and the community, and drive the delivery of strategic programs that protect people, property and the environment.
About the role
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Hume, the District Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio of responsibilities including:
- Leading the delivery of forest and fire management programs across the Murrindindi District.
- Managing planned burning, bushfire risk reduction and emergency management functions.
- Leading emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities across an all-hazards environment.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with Traditional Owners, communities, local government, partner agencies and stakeholders.
- Managing district resources, budgets and operational priorities.
- Delivering integrated land management outcomes across Victoria's public land estate.
- Driving a positive, safe and high-performing workplace culture.
This role requires a resilient and forward-thinking leader who can confidently balance strategic priorities with operational delivery.
About you
You are an accomplished people leader with a proven ability to inspire teams, navigate complexity and deliver results.
You will bring:
- Significant leadership experience in natural resource management, public land management, emergency management or a related field.
- Demonstrated success leading geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong stakeholder and community engagement capabilities.
- Experience managing complex projects, programs and operational risks.
- Sound knowledge of government processes, governance frameworks and public sector operations.
- Excellent communication, relationship management and decision-making skills.
- A commitment to workplace safety, cultural safety and inclusive leadership.
This is a fixed term position until 30 June 2028. The work location for this position is Murrindindi District with hybrid work arrangements available.
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 , including the mandatory requirements.
How to Apply:
If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers.
Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.
Applications close 11.59pm on Monday, 24 August 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.
