Graduate Policy Officer - Forests null

About us:

DEECA brings together Victoria’s energy, environment, water, agriculture, forestry, resources, climate action, and emergency management functions into a single department to maximise connections between the environment, community, industry and economy.

Our challenge is to improve Victoria’s liveability with a population that is expected to almost double by 2050, while responsibly tackling climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations.

The role: 

The Graduate Policy Officer - Forests will support policy development and provide advice to DEECA executives and the Minister for Environment on the transition away from commercial native timber harvesting in Victoria. The role will support delivery of a future forests program which pivots DEECA's policies and programs away from the management of commercial harvesting in State forests, towards ongoing sustainable management of these forests for a range of benefits. 

Other rotations for this role will include: 

Forest and Fire Planning, Barwon South West Region - Gain an appreciation for how forest and fire policy and programs are applied at a practical level in DEECAs land management functions, working closely with District teams. 

Regulatory Strategy and Guidance, Conservation Regulator - Understand the role of the regulator and modern regulatory practice through supporting development and maintenance of regulatory positions, statements, and guidance on how the Conservation Regulator interprets and intends to apply the law. This includes understanding key environmental and compliance risks and supporting the design of effective regulatory interventions to address these issues. 

The successful applicant should ideally have a qualification in forest science, environmental science, ecology, conservation or botany. Studies in environmental policy, public policy or law are also complementary to this role.  

The successful candidate will be required to relocated for a regional placement at Colac. 

The opportunity for you:

The DEECA Science Graduate Program is a two-year learning and development initiative open to recent graduates of science, natural resource management including ecology, conservation, sustainability, geoscience and geology, agriculture, urban and regional planning, computer science, engineering or related fields.

As a graduate, you'll:

• have diverse roles across the Department
• work across metro and regional Victoria
• enjoy flexible work principles, including start times (7am-7pm) and hybrid work teams (mix of on-site and remote work).
• commence as an ongoing employee - with guaranteed job at the end of the program
• upon successful completion of the program, be reclassified to a VPS 3 salary of $74,580
• be supported with mentors and buddies
• participate in extensive learning and development - program guided and self-directed!

We recognise the significant responsibility our Department has as land and natural resource manager to support self-determination and create opportunities for Traditional Owners to care for the Country and provide opportunities to enhance First Peoples' connection to the Country. We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment, where individuals feel safe, valued and able to enable their culture, spiritual and belief systems.

Next steps:

Applications for the 2025 program open in June 2024 and close in July 2024.