What does a NPWS field officer do?

A field officer carries out works in national parks and reserves that includes:

• Cleaning, maintaining and improving park assets that include visitor facilities, buildings, roads, fire trails, camping areas, accommodation facilities, parking areas, historic sites, recreational infrastructure and fencing.
• Carrying out bush regeneration, and pest and weed programs to protect park values and manage potential impacts on park neighbours.
• Constructing, installing and monitoring park assets including walking, mountain bike and horse-riding tracks, roads, management trails and visitor facilities.
• Maintaining and servicing parks and visitor facilities including rubbish removal, cleaning, hygienic duties, site preparation for events and traffic control.
• Helping carry out hazard reduction burns in the park, both to allow the regeneration of native plants and to protect people and property.
• Assisting in emergencies, such as bushfires, whale strandings, and lost or injured park visitors.
• Performing rehabilitation, restoration and threatened species management programs.
• Participating in visitor safety activities including search and rescue and events.
• Operating and maintaining plant and equipment, all-terrain vehicles, four-wheel drive and heavy plant machinery.
• Working with community volunteers on bush regeneration, clean-up days, and other park conservation activities.
• Giving information, advice and assistance to park visitors and members of the local community.

Knowledge, skills and experience

A field officer will develop skills in managing natural and cultural heritage. Much of this is learnt in the field, but experience in these skills is desirable.

Essential requirements include:

• A current driver's licence and ability to operate 4WD vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes/15 tonne GVM.
• Certification, or ability to obtain certification within the probationary period (up to 12 months) in operating a chainsaw to crosscut and basic tree felling standard.
• Ability to carry out frontline firefighting duties and support roles including ability to obtain and maintain certification as a crew member or higher, within the probationary period (up to 12 months), and a willingness to fly in light aircraft.

Field Officer applicants must meet the requirements of a firefighting medical which is inclusive of a clearance to undertake frontline firefighting roles. They must pass the task-based fitness assessment to a moderate level within the probationary period (up to 12 months) and annually thereafter.

How to apply for a field officer job

NSW Government jobs, including NPWS jobs vacancies are advertised on the I Work for NSW website. The best source of information on how to apply for NSW Government jobs can be found on the Public Service Commission (PSC) website.

When a government job is advertised, a role description is provided which explains the function of the role and details the capabilities and behaviours that are needed. These are based on the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework.

Applying for a government job is not the same as applying for jobs in the private sector, and the process includes several defined steps. Following these processes will give you a much better chance of getting an interview.