Director, Wildlife and Landscape Protection

About the role

The Director, Wildlife and Landscape Protection provides leadership and strategic direction to support achievement of healthy, resilient and biodiverse environments in Victoria. The Director leads a team of technical and project delivery experts who design and deliver programs to address priority wildlife and invasive species challenges across the state, including responding to wildlife emergencies. Informed by the Biodiversity Strategy 2037 the Director seeks to ensure proposals achieve the government’s biodiversity, environment and self‑determination outcomes, contribute to the effective management of the public land estate and support economic growth.

The Director is responsible for identifying opportunities to build strategic partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to achieve efficiencies in project delivery and operational processes while improving biodiversity outcomes. This includes productive partnerships with private sector, community groups, as well as with Traditional Owners to care for, and heal, country, support self‑determination and the path to Treaty. This role is a key leadership role with the Gippsland Region with state‑wide programme delivery responsibilities, requiring a substantial record of achievement, exercising sound judgement and building trust and credibility with Ministerial offices, the community and other relevant sectors.

The role requires the management of multiple perspectives and competing demands, and development of new approaches and solutions. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to a successful executive leadership team, nurture a high performing, capable and collaborative workplace culture and operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment of change and ambiguity.

About you:

To be successful in the role, you will have:

- Relevant tertiary qualification(s) is desirable.

About the Group

The Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples Group (RECAFP) is the home of DEECA’s expertise on climate action, the circular economy, environment protection and the management of natural and built assets on public land across Victoria. The RECAFP Group provides advice to the Victorian government on the policy settings, programmes and initiatives which will further the implementation of DEECA’s state‑wide objectives in the environment and climate action portfolios.

Through its network of regions, the RECAFP Group provides integrated, place‑based design and delivery of programmes, projects and services across departmental portfolios. It is also responsible for leading DEECA’s self‑determination reform agenda with a particular focus on developing cultural capability, creating a culturally safe working environment and improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians across the department.

Working across DEECA, with portfolio agencies, regional communities, service delivery partners, other external stakeholders and ministers the RECAFP Group supports the delivery of services and outcomes for government and Victorian communities.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Carolyn Jackson, Deputy Secretary RECAFP on 0429 564 738 or email Carolyn.Jackson@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 9 November 2025.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to:

- undertake pre‑employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check

- have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not

- provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or, where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.

- provide evidence of their right to work in Australia

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.

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