Area Planning

Join to apply for the Area Planning & Fire Behaviour Officer role at NSW Rural Fire Service . Attractive annual salary $115,109 to $127,411 p.a. plus 12% superannuation Free onsite car parking available Location: Coffs Harbour, Area Command North Eastern (flexible working arrangements considered) AREA PLANNING & FIRE BEHAVIOUR OFFICER Looking for more information? Why not reach out to our role expert, Shellie Smyth, Manager Community Risk, for a confidential chat on . Join Our Team: Protect, Serve, and Make a Difference We are the Rural Fire Service (RFS), a dedicated community of volunteers providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95% of NSW. When you work with the RFS, you join a passionate team committed to protecting our neighbours, the wider community, and the environment from the threat of bushfires and other emergencies. With over 70,000 volunteer members and staff, we embody the spirit of mutual respect, support, friendship, and camaraderie. We are one team with many players, united by a single purpose. If you share our passion for community service and environmental protection, we want to hear from you Become a part of our mission to safeguard lives and our cherished NSW landscapes. What you’ll be doing: Join us in the North East, based out of vibrant Coffs Harbour and stretching from the cool New England to the rolling Tablelands, and all the way up the coast from Urunga to Tweed Heads. It’s a region packed with variety: stunning coastline, lush hinterland, tight-knit rural communities, and some of the most rewarding work in the state. If you’re after a role that blends impact, adventure, and a genuinely great lifestyle, the North East is calling.Come be part of a team that protects some of NSW’s most iconic landscapes and enjoy an unbeatable place to live, work, and explore. To thrive in this role, you will: Have strong fire behaviour knowledge and a genuine sense of purpose. Be proactive, collaborative, and motivated by protecting communities across the North East while being part of a high-performing, values-driven team. Be able to interpret complex data, fuels, weather, topography, and modelling, and turn it into clear, practical advice that guides mitigation, suppression strategies, public information, and readiness. You stay curious, keeping up with research and emerging technologies. Work well with volunteers, landowners, and partner agencies, building trust and contributing to plans and working groups that strengthen community resilience. Communication is your strength, and you value the volunteer-based nature of our organisation. Operate with autonomy, meet your legislative responsibilities, and know when to seek guidance. With the essential qualifications and willingness to travel and support operations, you’re flexible, steady under pressure, and driven to make a meaningful difference. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please access the Role Description and our organisation structure. Note: As per the role description, candidates are required to meet minimum essential requirements. If you do not meet the essential requirements for this role, your application may not progress to shortlisting. Why work for us? Operational uniform available Attractive leave entitlements including 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus more Free access to our Member Assistance Program (MAP) for all RFS members, and their immediate family Salary packaging options available One ‘Agreed Absence’ leave day per calendar month Ongoing learning and professional development programs (RFS is a Registered Training Organisation giving you access to various internal courses) Partnership with Fitness Passport for eligible RFS staff and their families to access more than 845 gyms and pools Make the Move to Regional NSW This role is located in Regional NSW, which means you’re eligible for The Welcome Experience The Welcome Experience is a FREE service to help essential workers and their families move to regional NSW with ease. From finding housing and childcare to helping your partner find employment and connecting with the local community, they offer personalised, concierge-like support tailored to your needs. Discover what life is like in Regional NSW - explore The Welcome Experience and register today To embark on your RFS journey: To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit your application via RFS Careers , and attach: A cover letter in PDF format, addressing how you meet the essential requirements of the role, outlining your suitability and why you are interested in this opportunity; A resume in PDF format, including two current/recent professional referees (please include email address and contact number) Respond to two targeted questions within the online application process (maximum 500 words each): Tell us about a time you provided fire behaviour analysis or risk-based advice that directly influenced an operational decision or mitigation outcome. What was your approach, who did you work with, and what was the result? Describe a situation where you collaborated with multiple stakeholders—such as volunteers, landowners, District teams, or partner agencies—to resolve a complex bushfire risk issue. How did you build trust, manage differing perspectives, and ensure a positive outcome for the community? Please submit your application no later than 11:55pm Sunday 7th December 2025. Important recruitment Information A recruitment (talent) pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill future ongoing, temporary, casual and term, full time or part time opportunities. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to ensuring our employees represent the diversity of communities that we serve. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please include any details that you are comfortable sharing during the application process, alternatively, you can reach out to the role expert to discuss. The recruitment process may involve a range of assessment activities to determine your capabilities for the role (aligning to the NSW PSC Capability Framework). The Capability application tool is designed to help job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. Additional checks for successful applicants will include referee checks and criminal history checks. Vacancy Reference: R25/359 This may not be the role for you, however you can check out other vacancies in the RFS here , or consider volunteering with your local Brigade. Seniority level Associate Employment type Full-time Job function Science Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NSW Rural Fire Service by 2x Get notified about new Fire Officer jobs in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia . We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr