Fisheries Management Engagement Officer

Fisheries Management Engagement Officer

• Salary: $100,894 - $114,476 (plus superannuation)
• Ongoing position
• Usual hours of work: Full-time
• Usual work location: Negotiable, within Victoria

The Role

The Fisheries Management Engagement Officer will work with the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) within the Fisheries Management, Science, Policy and Licensing Division which is responsible for the development of management policies and arrangements to facilitate the sustainable use of Victoria's fisheries resources.

The role is responsible for assisting the freshwater and recreational fisheries management team to implement plans, projects and advice (may include stocking, habitat, regulations etc), especially in relation to effective stakeholder engagement (e.g. inter-personal communications, meetings, forums, conferences) and that help enable sustainable fisheries management.

The successful candidate will work constructively with stakeholder groups, particularly the recreational fishing sector and partners (Catchment Management Authorities, Traditional Owner groups, water and land managers etc.), VFA management, policy, compliance and research staff on the range of policy and management issues to support the division and assist in the day-to-day management of the freshwater and recreational fisheries.

Key accountabilities include:

• Assist Fisheries Managers and the VFA executive management team by effectively contributing to the overall performance of the VFA in delivering strategic outcomes and election commitments.
• Plan and undertake effective consultation and engagement with stakeholder groups regarding policy and planning decisions (may include stocking, habitat, regulations etc) using a range of formal and informal communication channels and approaches, including governmental processes to achieve goals (e.g. inter-personal communications, digital media, meetings, forums, conferences).
• Contribute to a team of fishery managers responsible for developing and implementing projects, plans and guidelines for improving the management of Victoria's marine and freshwater recreational fisheries.
• Prepare written and verbal advice for the Fisheries Manager, Manager Inland Fisheries and Director Fisheries Management, Science, Policy and Licensing and the VFA executive management team on the management and the sustainable development of Victoria's freshwater fisheries.

The Team

The position of Fisheries Management Engagement Officer will work within the Fisheries Management branch, which sits within the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) group.

As a statutory authority, the VFA has the responsibility of managing Victoria's fisheries resources in a coordinated and strategic way to ensure their ongoing sustainability, while supporting the value they deliver to the commercial, recreational, aquaculture and Indigenous fishing sectors.  We work with government and stakeholders to optimise the social, cultural and economic benefits of Victoria's fisheries and aquaculture industries, while promoting sustainable and responsible practices.

The VFA supports the development of sustainable recreational and commercial fishing and aquaculture activities in Victoria and delivers recreational fishing and boating infrastructure projects and programs.  We are committed to getting more people fishing by creating opportunities for people of all abilities to try fishing; to making it safer, cheaper and easier for the boating and fishing communities to get out on the water; and to making local seafood more readily available for everyone to enjoy. 

The VFA has around 190 employees located in the Melbourne CBD, metropolitan Melbourne and across regional Victoria.

About You

To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and experience:

• Excellent organisational skills and demonstrated ability to manage and deliver high-quality, and multiple competing demands in a timely and professional manner.
• Strong communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal), including the ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholder including recreational fishers, community groups, government agencies, researchers etc. Experience in tailoring communication to suit audience.
• Strong networking, relationship building and experience in participating and delivering outcomes as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong motivation to deliver high-quality outcomes and achieve goals.
• Experience in leading fisheries management, science and research projects including dealing with stakeholders and delivering outcomes. Considers broader context to inform project direction and ensures key project objectives are met.
• Knowledge of freshwater fisheries management issues relating to Victorian fisheries, including recovering native fish species, improving fish habitat, working with Traditional Owners and other priorities as outlined in Victoria's Freshwater Fisheries Management Plan.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Taylor Hunt, Manager Recreational Fishing on 04•• ••• 028.

The department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button.

As part of the application process, please provide:

• Cover letter outlined your interest in this position
• Current resume

Applications close at 23:59pm on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.