- Total Remuneration Package: $248,905 - $274,599 per annum
- Location: Sydney Olympic Park, RFS State Headquarters
- The role includes a motor vehicle package and free on-site car parking

Looking for more information?

Why not reach out to our role expert, Viki Campbell, A/Deputy Commissioner Field Operations, for a confidential chat on 0428 959 ***.

Join Our Team: Protect, Serve, and Make a Difference

We are the Rural Fire Service (RFS), a dedicated community of volunteers providing fire and emergency services to approximately 95% of NSW.When you work with the RFS, you join a passionate team committed to protecting our neighbours, the wider community, and the environment from the threat of bushfires and other emergencies. With more than 68,000 volunteer members and staff, we embody the spirit of mutual respect, support, friendship, and camaraderie. We are one team with many players, united by a single purpose. If you share our passion for community service and environmental protection, we want to hear from you Become a part of our mission to safeguard lives and our cherished NSW landscapes.

What you’ll be doing:
The Director Area Operations (Southern) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the delivery of NSW RFS services across Southern Area Commands and Districts. The role is responsible for ensuring the organisation effectively protects life, property and the environment through a capable, community-focused fire and emergency service that prevents, mitigates and responds to bush fires and other emergencies. The Director acts as a key operational leader, advisor to the Deputy Commissioner Field Operations, and champion for organisational capability, community resilience and operational excellence.





Key Functions

Strategic Leadership
Lead the implementation of organisational strategy and operational priorities across the Southern Area.
Drive continuous improvement and ensure operational activities align with NSW RFS objectives.
Contribute to executive decision-making and provide strategic advice on operational and community issues.

Operational Readiness and Service Delivery
Oversee operational preparedness, response capability and service delivery across Greater Sydney, Southeast and Southwest Area Commands.
Ensure Districts, Brigades and Area-based teams have the capability, resources and support necessary to meet community needs.
Maintain oversight of operational performance, risk management and emergency response outcomes.

Leadership and People Development
Lead and develop a diverse workforce, building capability, accountability and high performance.
Foster an inclusive and positive organisational culture that supports staff and volunteers.
Strengthen leadership capability across Area Commands, Districts and operational teams.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, local government, emergency services partners, community representatives and volunteers.
Represent the NSW RFS in strategic forums and collaborative partnerships.




Ensure community needs and expectations are reflected in operational and organisational decision-making.

Governance and Resource Management
Manage delegated budgets and resources to achieve operational outcomes.
Ensure compliance with legislative, governance and organisational requirements.
Promote safe, effective and productive service delivery across all areas of responsibility.

Scope of Responsibility
The Director Area Operations (Southern) is responsible for:

- Greater Sydney Area Command
- Southeast Area Command
- Southwest Area Command
- Area Planning and Business Team
- Fire Trails Team
- Workplace Complaints Team

The role requires significant engagement across the organisation and frequent travel to maintain robust relationships with Area Commands, Districts, Brigades and community stakeholders.

Our Ideal Candidate
The NSW Rural Fire Service is seeking an accomplished and respected leader to fill the role of Director Area Operations (Southern). This position requires a highly capable executive who can inspire performance, lead complex operations and foster strong relationships across staff, volunteers, government agencies and communities.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in emergency management, operational leadership and bush fire risk management. They will have a proven ability to lead geographically dispersed teams, translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and drive organisational performance through periods of change and complexity. The successful applicant will be equally comfortable operating in executive forums, engaging with frontline pers

📌 Director Area Operations (Sydney)
🏢 NSW Rural Fire Service
📍 Sydney