Operational Officer Level 2

OPERATIONAL OFFICER LEVEL 2

(FAR WEST)

This opportunity offers:

• Ongoing employment
• Full time role & 35 hour working week
• RFS Level 6/7
• Attractive annual salary $104,323 - $115,110 p.a. plus 12% superannuation
• Location: Cobar, Far West District
• Limited free onsite car parking is available
• Remote Area Allowance and additional Western Zone Leave may apply

Looking for more information?

Why not reach out to our role expert, Fiona Westcott, District Manager, for a confidential chat on 04•• ••• 483 or via fiona.westcott@rfs.nsw.gov.au. 

What you’ll be doing:

As an Operational Officer Level 2 with the NSW Rural Fire Service, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in a remote community where your work has a visible and lasting impact. This diverse role combines emergency management with meaningful community engagement, supporting local brigades, volunteers and partner agencies to build safer, more resilient communities.

You will play a key role in strengthening operational capability through working with our volunteers and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Working closely with brigades, community members and emergency service partners, you'll help drive preparedness, risk reduction, operational readiness and emergency response across the district.

This is a rewarding opportunity for a proactive and adaptable professional who enjoys building relationships, solving complex challenges and working in a remote dynamic environment where no two days are the same. If you're passionate about developing people, engaging with communities and contributing to the safety and resilience of regional NSW, we'd love to hear from you.

Our ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated professional who can build strong relationships, think critically and deliver results in a remote operational environment. You will have demonstrated experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including volunteers and emergency service partners, and possess the ability to provide practical solutions to complex issues. Your strong organisational skills, commitment to customer service, and passion for community safety will enable you to support preparedness, response and resilience activities across the district while contributing to the NSW RFS mission of protecting people, property and the environment.

To be considered for these opportunities, you will need to provide evidence of:

• RFS Crew Leader Supervision qualification
• RFS Level 2 Principal or Assistant IMT Qualification
• Certificate IV in a relevant discipline or equivalent expertise
• A current Driver Licence and the willingness and ability to travel
• Completion of an Operational Officer Medical Assessment certifying the required level of general health and fitness (external candidates)

Please note: Those with equivalent qualifications are encouraged to apply, the RFS will review and determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

You may be required to undertake further professional development depending on your existing qualifications and experience in accordance with the essential requirements of the role.

If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please access the role description and our organisation structure.

Note: As per the role description, candidates are required to meet minimum essential requirements. If you do not meet the essential requirements for this role, your application may not progress to shortlisting. 

Why work for us?

• Operational uniform available
• Attractive leave entitlements including 5 weeks annual leave per year (for Western Zone location), plus more
• Free access to our Member Assistance Program (MAP) for all RFS members, and their immediate family
• Salary packaging options available
• One ‘Agreed Absence’ leave day per calendar month 
• Ongoing learning and professional development programs (RFS is a Registered Training Organisation giving you access to various internal courses)
• Partnership with Fitness Passport for eligible RFS staff and their families to access more than 845 gyms and pools!

Other Benefits: 

• Limited free onsite car parking available
• Remote Area Allowance may be applicable
• 5 weeks annual leave for Western Zone location may be applicable
  
  

To embark on your RFS journey:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now' through the relevant advertisement on RFS Careers, and attach:

• A cover letter in PDF format, addressing how you meet the essential requirements of the role, outlining your suitability and why you are interested in this opportunity;
• A resume in PDF format, including two current/recent professional referees (please include email address and contact number)
• Respond to three targeted questions within the online application process (maximum 500 words each):
  • Share a time you influenced someone senior to address your or your team's needs.
  • Describe how you managed a customer or stakeholder with unrealistic expectations. What was your approach and what was the outcome?
  • How have you handled conflicting views within a team while maintaining progress and relationships?

Candidates are encouraged to prepare their applications independently to ensure they accurately reflect their skills and experience. The Rural Fire Service values authentic, original responses that reflect individual perspectives and alignment with its values and priorities. Skills, knowledge, and capability will be assessed and verified through the capability assessment process.

Please submit your application no later than 11:55pm Sunday 23 August 2026.

Important recruitment Information

• A recruitment (talent) pool for Western Area Command roles (only) may be created through this recruitment process to fill future ongoing, temporary, casual and term, full time or part time opportunities.
• Failure to submit requested information relating to qualifications and equivalent expertise may result in your application being deemed unsuccessful.
• Shortlisted external applicants will be required to undergo a medical assessment (medical costs will be covered by RFS).
• Successful applicants will be supported to attend a paid Induction course over a 6 week period at the RFS State Training Academy located in Dubbo.
• We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to ensuring our employees represent the diversity of communities that we serve.
• If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please include any details that you are comfortable sharing during the application process, alternatively, you can reach out to the role expert to discuss.
• The recruitment process may involve a range of assessment activities to determine your capabilities for the role (aligning to the NSW PSC Capability Framework). The Capability application tool is designed to help job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. Additional checks for successful applicants will include referee checks and criminal history checks.

Learn more about how RFS members support communities across NSW below

Vacancy Reference: R26-242