• Salary: $166,939 to $191,084 + 15% Commuted Allowance + 12% Superannuation
• Period: 2 Years
• Office Location: This is one role, which can be based at any one of the three VICSES locations - Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo.
• Requirement: The successful candidate will need to be able to travel from their home or another non-work location to the Regional office or nominated ICC within 60 minutes from being notified when rostered on as the Duty Officer Outside of Ordinary Hours.

ROLE SUMMARY: 

The Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) – Reliever provides strategic and operational leadership across VICSES, ensuring continuity of leadership, capability and service delivery during periods of leave or vacancy.

The role leads regional portfolios, emergency operations, strategic priorities and projects across key operational areas. When not relieving, the ACO supports the Operations Directorate with operational improvement and capability-building initiatives, working with senior leaders, municipalities and regional and state teams to strengthen operational practices and community resilience. 

The role exercises delegated authority for readiness and response decisions and undertakes senior command and control responsibilities during local, regional and state-wide emergencies, including Incident Controller, Regional Controller and Agency Command functions. The ACO may also provide relieving support to State Operations. 

Significant travel and periods away from home are required.

WHO WE ARE:

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer-based emergency service. Our highly skilled and equipped Volunteers are trained comprehensively in a wide range of emergency environments. To minimise the impact of emergencies when they occur and strengthen the community's capacity to recover swiftly and safely, VICSES focuses on working with communities and partners in building resilience to achieve more aware, informed and prepared communities.  We support them to understand their risk and the relevance of taking action before, during and after emergency events.

As the largest road rescue network in Australia we have specialist teams that provide a 24/7 response to road accident and trauma incidents. We assist Victoria Police in search and rescue operations, and play an important role in supporting the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) during major bushfire and emergency incidents.

TO APPLY:

Please view the Position Description and submit an application via careers.vic.gov.au

Applications should include a cover letter detailing your relevant skills and experience, along with a current resume or CV.

For further information about the role, please contact Greg Swindells on greg.swindells@ses.vic.gov.au

Applications close Monday, October 19, 2026.

VICSES is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable people, upholding the highest standards of integrity and community trust, and leading gender equality in the emergency management sector. All applicants are required to complete the relevant screening processes prior to appointment. VICSES also supports flexible working arrangements, subject to operational and business requirements. For more information on our values, benefits, and recruitment process, please visit ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/careers