Head of Bushfire Policy, Planning and Partnerships

About this role

CFA is an emergency service that places the community at the centre of everything we do. We work to protect lives and property across Victoria, every hour of the day.

Our organisation is made up of employees working alongside more than 51,000 volunteers. We value the different skills, experience and viewpoints that people bring, because they strengthen how we operate and support the services Victorians rely on.

We aim to be a workplace where people feel supported to do meaningful work, develop professionally and contribute to outcomes that matter to the people and places we serve.

To learn more about who we are and the work we do, visit our About Us page.

About the Role

The Head of Bushfire Policy, Planning and Partnerships is a newly created executive role reporting to the Deputy Chief Officer, Fire Risk Research and Community Preparedness. This position provides strategic leadership across CFA, government and the community to strengthen bushfire management practices across Victoria and reduce the impact of bushfires on people, the environment and the economy.

The role leads key functions including vegetation management strategy, statewide bushfire planning, the joint-agency Community First Program, bushfire policy and regulatory advice and coordination of interagency bushfire mitigation initiatives under the Safer Together program.

As a senior leader, you will influence statewide policy and planning, build strong partnerships across government, agencies and communities and provide strategic advice to support CFA's statutory and operational bushfire management responsibilities. The role also contributes to the broader strategic direction of the organisation while fostering collaboration and leading with professionalism, integrity and accountability.

About you

You are an experienced and strategic leader with strong expertise in natural resource management, fire management or a related field. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline are essential, with management qualifications highly regarded.

You bring extensive experience leading the development and delivery of complex programs and initiatives, along with a strong track record in shaping strategy and business planning to support organisational objectives. Your leadership style enables you to build and lead high-performing teams while fostering collaboration and accountability.

With exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, you are confident negotiating complex matters and influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You are also experienced in building effective partnerships and networks, with a strong commitment to community-centred approaches and outcomes.

Why choose CFA

• Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
• Flexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangements
• Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
• Wellbeing Focus: Health Ready programs, flu vaccinations
• Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways 

Your Application

Click the ‘Apply' button to access our online application portal. You will be prompted to provide your personal and contact details and to respond to employment-related questions. When applying for a position with CFA, please include a cover letter and resume that clearly demonstrate your qualifications, experience and the key attributes and skills relevant to the role.

Pre-employment Checks

Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who are able to successfully complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working Rights Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check.  You will also be required to provide at least two professional references.

Applications close: 11:59pm 3 May 2026

CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves.  First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. 

If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email recruitment@cfa.vic.gov.au

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here. For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact recruitment@cfa.vic.gov.au