- Clerk Grade 11-12
- Package includes salary ($145,378-$168,130), employer’s contribution to super and annual leave loading
- Ongoing full time role
- Located in Narrabri
Do you want to work to make a difference for NSW?
Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage
A career in the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) has many rewards, including the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in the country.
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 Committee’s including Deriah, Terry Hie Hie and Narran Lakes JMC’s.
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 recreation facilities 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
NPWS is committed to building a robust pipeline of talent and ensuring strong representation of women in leadership roles. We aim to achieve a balanced and diverse leadership team. As such, we strongly encourage female candidates who possess the necessary capabilities and experience for these roles to apply.
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.
To view the Role Description: Area Manager
Who we are
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.
DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.
We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.
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
To apply
If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.
Applications close: Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at 11.55pm
Should you require more information about the role please contact John Whittall, A/Director Northern Inland Branch, NPWS on 0428 693 909 or john.whittall@environment.nsw.gov.au.
A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.
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.
Looking for more information or assistance in applying?
If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsws.gov.au or contacting Marie-Claire Bleakley on 0407 789 021 (please mention reference number 542561).
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.
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