NSW State Emergency Service

Reference number

- 493140

Occupation

- Emergency Services Support, Emergency Response

Work type

- Full-Time

Location

- Wollongong

Salary

- No info

Closing date

- 25 February 2026 at 11:55pm

Deputy Commissioner - Executive Director Operations -PSSE Band 2 - NSW SES

- Lead statewide operational strategy. Strengthen community resilience. Shape the future of emergency management in NSW.
- Join an inclusive volunteer‑based organisation with a diverse and growing membership dedicated to supporting and protecting communities across NSW.
- Senior Executive Band 2 role with a total remuneration package of between $312,914 and $350,333.
- Ongoing role located in Wollongong Current South Wales, Australia.

About the opportunity

Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the NSW SES by leading state-wide preparedness and response efforts for floods, storms, tsunamis and other emergencies, strengthening the safety and resilience of communities across New South Wales.

The NSW SES is recruiting an ongoing Band 2, Deputy Commissioner - Executive Director Operations role. This role is responsible for:

- leading major incident responses, making rapid, high‑quality decisions in high‑pressure and emotionally charged situations.
- driving cohesive, collaborative and high‑performing governance across the Senior Executive Team, ensuring all portfolios operate with unity, accountability and shared purpose.
- strengthening relationships with partner agencies, government stakeholders and communities to enhance emergency response capability and build resilience.
- representing the NSW SES as a key spokesperson during major incidents, managing complex and sensitive matters under public and media scrutiny.




- leading and develop a growing operational workforce of staff and volunteers, ensuring they are trained, capable and ready to meet emerging community needs.
- the balance of competing demands of business‑as‑usual operations, operational readiness and response, and long‑term strategic projects in a rapidly evolving environment.
- overseeing the delivery of statewide operational programs and ensure integrated, effective service delivery.

Using advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, the Deputy Commissioner Operations represents the NSW SES and builds strong, enduring relationships that support strategic emergency management objectives and strengthens the delivery of high‑quality operational services. This includes extensive engagement with emergency service agencies, interagency committees, NSW and Local Government bodies, the Minister’s Office, and close collaboration with communities and NSW SES volunteers to understand their needs, particularly during emergencies.

During operational events, the Deputy Commissioner Operations serves as the State Duty Commander, leading emergency responses that demand rapid action in highly emotional circumstances involving communities under threat from floods, storms and other disasters.

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.





At the NSW SES we value Trust, Accountability, Respect, Professionalism and Integrity, Safety and Service.

The NSW SES serves the NSW community as the lead combat 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 and roles required in the diverse locations and communities across the state. In addition to flood, storm and tsunami, the NSW SES provides specialist capabilities that include general land rescue, vertical rescue, road crash rescue, and alpine and remote area search and rescue.

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.

The NSW SES responded to over 54,000 incidents from the community over the 2024/2025 financial year with a total of 111,216 calls made by the public. Our workforce consists of over 11,000 volunteer and 550 full-time equivalent staff.

About you

To be successful in this role you will:

- Have extensive experience in leading and managing the effective preparedness and response to emergency events
- Possess knowledge of contemporary issues, challenges and approaches to emergency management
- Be a future focused leader that builds cohesive and collaborate culture emb

📌 Deputy Commissioner Operations, Psse Band 2 (Wollongong)
🏢 Nsw Government
📍 Wollongong