- Area Manager North Coast
- 2 x Ongoing full-time roles
- Flexible location within Richmond River and Coffs Coast Areas
- Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $149.739 to $173,174 + Super
Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?
Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.
About the roles
These are key leadership roles 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 north coast area of NSW.
The Area Manager roles work as part of the North Coast Branch management team. We have two roles available, one managing Richmond River Area and one managing Coffs Coast Area. 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. More information about Richmond River and Coffs Coast Areas is outlined below.
Key program areas managed by the Area Manager roles include:
- Aboriginal community engagement including joint management agreements
- Aboriginal cultural heritage management
- Fire planning, preparedness and response
- Threatened species conservation
- Feral animal and weed control
- Visitor experience, safety and management
- Environmental assessment and conservation planning
- Asset management
- Finance and human resource management
For more information about the Richmond Area Overview - Richmond River Area
For more information about the Coffs Harbour Overview - Coffs Coast Area
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.
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.
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.
For more information read the full Role Description: Area Manager NPWS Clerk Grade 11-12
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
North Coast 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 10th June 2026, 11:55PM.
Should you require further information about the role please contact Russell Madeley, Director North Coast russell.madeley@dcceew.nsw.gov.au or on 0429 393 437.
Applicants should note that this recruitment process may be used to establish a talent pool for similar ongoing and temporary opportunities that may become available over the next 18 months. Candidates placed in the talent pool may be contacted should suitable vacancies arise.
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.nsw.gov.au or contacting Graeme Ellis on 0437 236 477 (please mention reference number 549188).
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
