Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?
Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.
- Ongoing full-time opportunity located in Bourke
- Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $130K pa to $144K pa + employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
- Successful candidates may be eligible for additional financial support on top of their salary package. This may include a remote area allowance and additional subsidies such as relocation support.
Ready for a role that’s bigger than a job?
National Parks and Wildlife Service has a unique opportunity for a Team Leader Field Operations to work as part of the team and contribute towards the conservation of the natural environment, flora, fauna and Aboriginal heritage.
If you’re the kind of person who thrives on responsibility, loves the outdoors, and can keep multiple moving parts on track — this is your chance to make your mark.
Based in Bourke (a historic outback town on the banks of the Darling River approx. 9 hours’ drive from Sydney and home to approx. 3000 people), you’ll help lead field operations across approx. 9 parks, reserves & conservation areas covering ~950,000 hectares of remarkable landscapes. Expect remote work, long drives, big horizons, and the satisfaction of seeing real results on Country.
As you can see - this is not a desk job
This is a hands-on leadership role that suits someone used to (or willing to step into) remote conditions. There’s a lot of travel, time in the field, and practical decision-making on the run.
What you’ll be doing
As the Team Leader, Field Operations, you’ll keep the wheels turning across multiple priorities including:
- Planning, coordinating and delivering construction, maintenance and asset projects such as roads, tracks, fire trails, signage, walking tracks, visitor facilities and initiatives to protect or restore heritage assets.
- Leading and supervising field staff across a wide geographic area.
- Overseeing contractors and ensuring procurement and WHS standards are met
This role also supports implementation of key programs including fire management and pest programs and helps ensure fire assets and capability are maintained and ready.
About you
You’re someone who:
- Enjoys leading teams and bringing out the best in people (especially in practical, field-based environments).
- Can juggle multiple projects at once, set priorities, and keep work moving even when conditions change.
- Has strong operational judgement and takes safety seriously — you model it, reinforce it, and expect it.
- Can build respectful working relationships with a wide range of people — from contractors and suppliers to community stakeholders and other agencies.
Highly transferable backgrounds welcome!
If you’ve built your career in earthmoving, farming/cropping/grazing, remote station work, heavy industry, civil works, mining or even the ADF, your experience could translate well here.
Key challenges (and why it’s worth it)
This role suits people who are up for complexity: balancing priorities across a geographically diverse environment, lifting team performance, and delivering high-quality works efficiently while collaborating with rangers, managers and field staff.
If that sounds like your kind of challenge — you’ll fit right in.
Essential requirements
To be considered, you’ll need:
- Strong project management + team leadership experience
- Ability to manage complex works programs and competing priorities
- Experience working across field + professional staff environments
- Fire leadership capability (or willingness to obtain)
- Senior First Aid + driver’s licence (incl. 4WD)
Ready to apply?
If you’re excited by the idea of leading field operations in remote country — delivering practical outcomes, mentoring a team, and building something you can point to with pride — we’d love to hear from you.
This is a physically active role suited to candidates of all genders who are fit, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, and are eager to learn and develop the skills and qualifications needed to contribute toward improving and maintaining NSW’s most precious natural places.
Applicants must meet the requirements of a specific medical assessment which is inclusive of a clearance to undertake the fitness test for firefighting fitness roles (i.e. moderate level Task-Based Assessment for Firefighters) within the 12-month probationary period, if relevant.
The role holder must obtain certification at the appropriate level prior to undertaking firefighting/incident control duties.
For more information read the full Role Description.
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
Northland 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.
Please also note, to be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.
Applications close Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 11:55pm.
Should you require further information about the role please contact Melissa Hams, Manager Area via Melissa.Hams@dcceew.nsw.gov.au or on 0429 722 765.
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.npws.gov.au or contacting Kylie Miller on 02 9585 6856 (please mention reference number 548773).
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn.
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Role Description
