Operational Policy Officer, Clerk Grade 7/8 - Wollongong or Sydney (Rhodes)

Operational Policy Officer, Clerk Grade 7/8 - Wollongong or Sydney (Rhodes)

• Use your policy expertise to develop, review and improve operational policy that supports frontline capability and service delivery.
• Work in a volunteer-based emergency service supporting communities across New South Wales.
• Ongoing full time opportunity within the Capability Team, Capability & Strategic Operations Directorate.
• Based at Wollongong or Sydney (Rhodes), with flexible work options available in line with operational requirements

About the opportunity

Do you have strong policy writing skills and an interest in strengthening operational capability? If you are motivated by supporting volunteers, staff and communities through clear, practical and fit-for-purpose policy, we would like to hear from you.

The Operational Policy Officer is a key role within the Capability Team in the Capability & Strategic Operations Directorate. The role supports the development, review and maintenance of operational policy, procedures and related guidance that enable safe, consistent and effective service delivery across NSW SES.

In this role, you will work with stakeholders across the agency, including operational teams, volunteers, subject matter experts and corporate partners, to develop policy documents that are clear, evidence-based and aligned with established frameworks. The role will contribute to operational capability areas such as flood, storm and tsunami response, rescue capability, capability development, operational equipment and related governance processes.

As an Operational Policy Officer, you will identify opportunities to improve existing policy, support consistent implementation and provide practical advice to help translate operational requirements into usable guidance for members. Your work will support the Capability Team to strengthen preparedness, improve capability outcomes and contribute to NSW SES strategic priorities.

You will also provide support to NSW SES operations during emergencies and disasters, including deployment within the State Command Centre or Zone Incident Control Centres as required.

About the NSW SES

Our Mission: NSW SES saving lives and creating safer communities.

Our Vision: A trusted volunteer-based emergency service, working together to deliver excellence in community preparedness and emergency response.

The NSW SES serves the NSW community as the lead agency for floods, storms, and tsunamis as specified by the State Emergency Service Act 1989. We are recognised as the most versatile and widely used emergency service organisation in NSW. Our volunteers are highly skilled, experienced, and well- trained in the wide variety of roles they perform.

Each NSW SES Unit is as unique and varied as the community it serves, reflecting the vast mix of risks faced and roles required in the diverse locations and communities across the state. In addition to flood, storm and tsunami, our Service provides specialist capabilities that include general land rescue, vertical rescue, road crash rescue, and alpine and remote area search and rescue. The NSW SES responded to over 64,000 requests for assistance from the community over the 2021-22 year.

The NSW SES has over 10,000 volunteer members, including reserves, and a full-time equivalent workforce of over 450. There are 262 volunteer Units across the State and our volunteer Units are either local, community-based Units, State-wide or regional Units established to provide specialist capabilities. They are varied and unique in their capabilities, designed to address specific risks to communities of NSW. 

About you

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have strong experience in policy writing, review and document management, preferably in a government, emergency management or operational environment.
• Be able to develop clear, practical and fit-for-purpose policy documents that align with established frameworks, governance requirements and organisational priorities.
• Understand compliance, risk management and the importance of policy that supports safe and consistent operational practice.
• Have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to consult, clarify requirements and translate technical information into accessible guidance.
• Bring an interest in incident management, emergency response, operational capability or safety-related policy.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities to deliver quality outcomes.

What we can offer you

• You will enjoy a 35-hour work week, with the potential for flexible work arrangements.
• You can enjoy a hybrid work environment, time in the office and time working from home.
• Attractive salary package up to $146,779.18 ($116,981 - $129,492) plus 12% superannuation and leave loading.
• Our work is meaningful and rewarding. The SES’s mission is saving lives and creating safer communities and you can be an important part of our work.
• We have attractive leave entitlements including parental, sick, flex and recreation leave.
• We care about our people. We have Mental Health & Wellbeing programs and services to support our people and operational and leadership training and development opportunities to develop our people. Some of these include:
  • Fitness Passport
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Member Assist Program for free confidential counselling support
  • Immunisation program.

You Belong Here

• We care about people as individuals and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and new ways of working. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• We want our people to reflect the diverse community we serve and are committed to creating an inclusive and flexible workplace. We want to know what this looks like for you so we can support your success at work.

• If you require reasonable adjustments, we are committed to supporting you throughout  the recruitment processes and in the workplace, If you feel you may require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact ***********@ses.nsw.gov.au for confidential advice on options.

How to apply

Your application should include as separate attachments:

• A cover letter (maximum of two page s) briefly responding to the essential requirements and your interest in the role;
• An up-to-date resume of no more than four pages detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role

Want to know more

The role description is available here.

Talent Pool

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next 18 months. Further information here

Applications close: Sunday, 16 August 2026, 11:55 pm.