Operational Officer Level 1

If you are interested in working for a highly regarded emergency service agency and supporting local communities, a role in our OpO Program could be for you!

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is the lead agency for bush fire management and mitigation in NSW. Fighting fires and protecting the community from emergencies is what we do!

The Operational Officer (OpO) Program is a RFS initiative to create and encourage a mobile and agile workforce across the state. The program is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of RFS activities in district and regional roles, as well as other specialised sections across the organisation. The role provides a broad range of services in a team environment that lead to better protection of the community from bush fires and other emergencies.

This opportunity offers:

Ongoing employmentFull-time role & 35 hour working weekRFS Level 4/5Attractive annual salary $88,378 - $96,767 p.a. plus 12% superannuationLocation: Terrey Hills, Northern Beaches District (flexible working arrangements considered)Free onsite car parking available

Looking for more information?

Why not reach out to our role expert, Joshua Sullivan, for a confidential chat on 0438 195 794.

What you’ll be doing:

Work as part of the Northern Beaches District team delivering high-quality administrative and operational support that helps protect the community from bush fires and other emergencies. The role supports members and communities to prepare for and respond to emergencies, maintains effective systems and service standards, and provides timely, customer-focused support in a dynamic volunteer-based environment.

To thrive in this role, you will:

Be hard working and team orientated.Have a willingness to learn and be prepared to engage with staff, volunteers, community groups and stakeholders across the wider Northern Beaches.Have volunteer and/or emergency services experience and an understanding of risk management principles and safety systemsHave an understanding and interest in fire mitigation and field operational experienceHave the desire and ability to learn new skills and qualificationsHave demonstrated commitment to understanding and delivering community safety informationHave an understanding of agency statutory functions (e.g. Hazard Complaints)Have the ability to lead small teams and support incident coordination including support of other agenciesProvide excellent customer service to our communities and highly valued volunteer members

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

RFS Advanced Firefighter (AF) qualification or equivalentCertificate III in a relevant discipline or equivalent expertiseA current Driver Licence and the willingness and ability to travelCompletion 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 availableAttractive leave entitlements including 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus moreFree access to our Member Assistance Program (MAP) for all RFS members, and their immediate familySalary packaging options availableOne ‘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!

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 two targeted questions within the online application process (maximum 500 words each):Tell us about a time you managed multiple tasks at once. How did you prioritise and handle competing demands?Describe how you communicated a problem and resolution to others. What approach did you take?
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 30th August 2026.

Important recruitment Information

A recruitment (talent) pool for Greater Sydney 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 13 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.

Vacancy Reference: R26-263

This may not be the role for you, however you can check out other vacancies in the RFS here, or consider volunteering with your local Brigade.

Learn more about how RFS members support communities across NSW below