Ongoing employees affected by change management plans will be given priority consideration for at grade positions.
As the Manager of Biosecurity and Emergency Services you will lead a team of invasive species travelling stock reserves animal biosecurity and emergency response experts in the North-West Local Land Services region. Your team is passionate and highly experienced in working with landholders and communities to provide expert services and advice.
About the role
* Ongoing full time employment*
* An attractive salary starting from $149,739 pa plus annual leave loading and super
* Negotiable work location available within the North-West region with options to be based at any of our offices in Moree, Walgett, Narrabri, Warialda, Gunnedah or Tamworth.
* Flexible work arrangements including work from home options
* An opportunity to accelerate your career in the beautiful North-West
* A professional workplace in one of NSW Government's most effective agencies
Responsibilities
* Build and Mentor a Vibrant Team: As a senior leader in the North-West you will provide people leadership that supports growth, workplace satisfaction and a healthy culture in your team and as part of the regional Leadership Team.
* Lead Program Delivery: Oversee and deliver on core objectives of the NSW Biosecurity Strategy and the North-West Local Strategic Plan across Animal Biosecurity and Welfare, Invasive Species, Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR) Management and Emergency Response with a budget responsibility of circa $5 million pa.
* Support Service Delivery and Design: Work with your Team Leaders and project management staff to effectively build and manage service delivery initiatives including performance against financial and delivery KPIs that deliver outcomes for land managers and the community.
* Drive Innovation and Change: Create opportunities for improvement and innovation in program delivery and lead the team in emergency preparedness and response empowering them to make decisions and collaborate effectively.
* Regional Representation and Stakeholder Engagement: Represent North-West Local Land Services and our interests when engaging with stakeholders, community and industry.
* Audit and Risk Management: Ensure adherence to statutory obligations and organisational policy, oversee audit programs and manage risk planning aligned with LLSs broader risk management framework.
* Balanced Leadership: Skillfully combine people management with the delivery of high-quality results ensuring the team is well-supported while achieving impactful outcomes.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
* Each day will be different and you will get the opportunity to be innovative and drive change. You will lead a strong team and guide them in ways that ensure staff are empowered to make decisions whilst also being collaborative with colleagues and stakeholders. Your leadership will be a key to the development of these teams.
* You will work with your Team Leaders of Animal Biosecurity and Welfare, Team Leader of Invasive Species and Team Leader of TSRs to guide the day-to-day operations of staff supporting accountability, safety and effective delivery.
* Work with the General Manager and other senior leaders as part of the regional Management and Leadership Teams addressing strategic issues and improving operational processes.
* You will provide oversight and guidance to high-risk initiatives that require excellent governance and accountability. These include aerial invasive animal control programmes and programmes that use restricted chemical products as part of their delivery.
Additional Details
* Our approach to biosecurity: Biosecurity - Local Land Services
* LLS and emergency animal disease: Emergency Animal Disease - Local Land Services
* Our role in emergencies: Our role in emergencies - Local Land Services
* Managing TSRs: Travelling Stock Reserves - TSRs - Local Land Services
* Reducing the impacts of invasive animals: Pest animal management - Local Land Services
Qualifications and Experience
* Tertiary qualifications in a discipline relevant to the management of biosecurity and/or equivalent experience in leadership and management of services in a primary industries or emergency management sector.
* Well-developed understanding of the impact of biosecurity threats on communities, agriculture and environment, including current approaches to building community capacity, biosecurity management and animal welfare and the ability to deliver outcomes through strategic and operational planning.
* Knowledge of the agricultural industries and land management.
* Experience in the coordination of emergency management (biosecurity and general) across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at a management level, with a clear understanding of emergency management arrangements in NSW and nationally.
* Demonstrated high-level project and planning skills.
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change along with solid problem-solving skills and the capacity to be innovative.
* Accomplished communication skills to engage stakeholders and guide staff.
* Current NSW Driver Licence and the ability and willingness to travel throughout the region.
Have you got what it takes? Our ideal candidate will be motivated, energetic and customer-focused whilst delivering results and looking for efficiencies. Your strong leadership skills and high personal drive to collaborate with staff.
Applying is easy! To apply please submit a copy of your resume (approx. 4 pages) and a cover letter (approx. 2 pages) that tells us about your relevant skills and experience and how these make you an ideal candidate for this role.
This is an internal EOI opportunity open to DPIRD / LLS staff only.
To be considered for an ongoing appointment applicants must be ongoing at either an equivalent or higher grade than this advertised vacancy (LLS Grade 8 or Clerk 11/12) or on a current and valid talent pool at this grade or higher. Alternatively, if you do not meet the requirement for an ongoing appointment you may only be considered for a temporary appointment of up to 12 months.
EOI Closing Date
Monday 20th October 2025
Contact
James Hutchinson Smith, General Manager, North-West LLS
Recruitment Adjustments
If you require adjustments in completing your application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or completing the recruitment process, please let us know so we can assist. Send an email to … or contact the hiring manager listed above for a confidential discussion.
Additional Information
The successful applicant in this role will be required to undergo reference checks, National Police Check and Bankruptcy Check.
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