Do you want to work to make a difference for NSW?
Working to protect the state's environment and heritage.

About the role

This is a key leadership role with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, delivering conservation programs, visitor services and infrastructure management. The Area Manager leads and manages a highly committed and cohesive team implementing park management programs across a variety of national parks and reserves as well as working with diverse stakeholders in the northern inland area of NSW.

The Area Manager Barwon Area works as part of the Northern Inland Branch management team. Northern Inland Branch manages 168 parks and reserves covering over 2 million hectares in some of NSW most diverse and spectacular landscapes, ranging from World Heritage rainforest, sub-alpine forests, gorges and wild rivers, internationally recognised wetlands, wilderness areas to semi-arid environments. We protect over 250 threatened species and 22 endangered ecological communities and manage 88 visitor areas and 47 campgrounds. We live and work in vibrant rural communities and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, including Aboriginal joint management committees.

Barwon Area protects 41 parks from its base in Narrabri NSW. It covers parts of the spectacular Nandewar Range including Kaputar National Park, as well as western slopes parks such as Warrabah National Park across the western plains and important and internationally recognised wetlands such as Narran Lakes and Gwydir Wetlands.

The area manages campgrounds, walking tracks and hard-roofed accommodation. The Area Manager oversees up to 31 staff based in Narrabri, Bingara and at remote depots at Narran Lakes NR, Budelah NR, and Gwydir Wetlands SCA. The Area Manager is a supporter and participant in three Joint Management Committees including Deriah, Terry Hie Hie and Narran Lakes JMCs.

The Barwon Area Manager position is a challenging and rewarding position suited to someone experienced in managing a variety of staff and issues associated with natural and cultural land management. Narrabri is a prosperous, thriving rural centre with three primary schools and a high school, good sporting facilities and cultural activities, nice parks and great national parks nearby for outdoor activities.

Key program areas managed by the role include:

• Fire planning, preparedness and response.
• Visitor safety and management.
• Environmental assessment and conservation planning.
• Threatened species conservation.
• Feral animal and weed control.
• Aboriginal community engagement and cultural heritage management including joint management.
• Asset management.
• Historic heritage conservation.
• Finance management.
• Systems management.

About you

We are looking for an experienced strategic, relatable leader with a strong collaborative nature and operational acumen, to successfully lead a large team, including field staff, rangers, administration, and project staff who work across different locations. You will be a highly skilled communicator, who can effectively lead change and deliver high performance. You will have previous management experience, leading a multidisciplinary team with a protected area reserve system environment or related field with a focus on leadership and service delivery and effectiveness.

Essential requirements

• Extensive experience managing diverse, dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver a diverse range of park management operations and visitor services aligned to strategic organisational outcomes and competence in incident management planning and control.
• Extensive experience and proven ability to exercise sound judgement in working in a senior function including the provision of advice on management of various issues and provision of high-level support.
• Proven ability to work in collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal communities to deliver cultural and environmental outcomes; and/or demonstrated ability in working with Aboriginal boards and committees under joint management arrangements.
• Current NSW Driver's Licence.

What we can offer you

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is a great place to expand your career and grow your skills and knowledge.

• Accrued days off in addition to Annual Leave.
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport.
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training.

What we do

• About NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.
• Visit a park .
• Northern Inland Branch Overview.

DCCEEW strongly recommends all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.

In our inclusive and accessible workplace, differences are embraced, contributions are valued, and everyone has a sense of connection and belonging. DCCCEEW supports various employee affinity groups, practice flexible working, offer job share and workplace adjustments.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.