Project Officer (Forest, Fire and Regions) (Jan 2025)

About the position

In the first rotation the graduate will join the Hume Region Traditional Owner Agreements Team and support the implementation of Recognition and Settlement Agreements with Traditional Owner Groups. The role provides an opportunity to build an understanding of DEECA's commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and how DEECA works with traditional owners through the delivery of land management programs in Hume region including forest and fire management, Crown land leasing and licensing. In this rotation the graduate will develop project management skills, geographical information system skills, cultural capability and engagement experience.

In the second rotation the graduate will join a district operations team to support planning and delivery of the fuel management program, including bushfire preparedness and response. As part of the role the graduate will complete General Firefighter training.  The graduate will also gain experience working with Traditional Owners Groups in the context of fire management, and develop skills in project management, values management, community engagement, GIS systems and mapping.

In the final rotation the graduate will join the First Peoples Self-Determination Division and gain insight into the agreement making and Treaty negotiation process, which will be an area of focus during this time. The graduate will develop Cultural Capability skills, an understanding of the importance of working with Traditional Owners priorities, and gain understanding of DEECA’s approach to engaging and partnering with Traditional Owners.

This role is well suited to someone who enjoys using your interpersonal skills and critical thinking and problem-solving skills for project delivery and working collaboratively.

About us:

DEECA brings together Victoria’s energy, environment, water, agriculture, forestry, resources, climate action, and emergency management functions into a single department to maximise connections between the environment, community, industry and economy.

Our challenge is to improve Victoria’s liveability with a population that is expected to almost double by 2050, while responsibly tackling climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations.

The opportunity for you:

The DEECA Science Graduate Program is a two-year learning and development initiative open to recent graduates of science, natural resource management including ecology, conservation, sustainability, geoscience and geology, agriculture, urban and regional planning, computer science, engineering or related fields.

As a graduate, you'll:

• have diverse roles across the Department.
• work across metro and regional Victoria
• enjoy flexible work principles, including start times (7am-7pm) and hybrid work teams (mix of on-site and remote work).
• commence as an ongoing employee - with guaranteed job at the end of the program
• upon successful completion of the program, be reclassified to a VPS 3 salary of $74580.
• be supported with mentors and buddies
• participate in extensive learning and development - program guided and self-directed!

We recognise the significant responsibility our Department has as land and natural resource manager to support self-determination and create opportunities for Traditional Owners to care for the Country and provide opportunities to enhance First Peoples' connection to the Country. We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment, where individuals feel safe, valued and able to enable their culture, spiritual and belief systems.

Next steps:

Applications for the 2025 program open on 9 June 2024 and close 5pm 10 July 2024.