Planning & Research Officer, Clerk Grade 5/6

• Do you have research and analytical skills? No emergency service experience necessary – learn on the job!
• Join a team dedicated to researching, analysing, providing advice, and developing systems and processes across emergency risk management and planning fields
• Work in a volunteer-based agency supporting communities across NSW
• Full time ongoing role with flexible working conditions including a mix of working from office and home
• Location: Based in the thriving regional city of Tamworth, NSW

About the opportunity

We have an ongoing Planning and Research Officer role, based at our North Western Zone HQ in Tamworth. 

We are interested in hearing from people who have skills in research or risk assessment to support the development of advice, plans and systems that address risk management and strategies in planning for emergencies. This role would suit someone who has research and analytical skills including graduates and professionals who have worked in a flood engineering, research and/or policy role. 

It is an exciting time to join the NSW SES as we commence the significant growth of our agency in supporting key programs of work to enhance the agency’s capability and response to emergencies.

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 370.  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:

• skills in researching and analysing information to form evidence-based advice
• have strong attention to detail with well-developed skills in critical thinking and analytics
• a desire to become a true specialist in emergency risk management and/or planning
• the skills to work in a cohesive and collaborative team environment and contribute to the development of initiatives to resolve issues and promote effective solutions
• experience or the ability to learn technology-based systems, such as GIS systems and Power BI
• have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and well-developed interpersonal skills.

What we can offer you 

• Employment with attractive leave entitlements including parental leave, recreation and flex leave and other leave entitlements  
• Attractive salary package of up to $115,643 ($93,295 - $102,941 + leave loading + super)
• Flexible work options working within operational requirements  
• Mental Health & Wellbeing programs and services  
• Operational and leadership training and development opportunities via LinkedIn Learning and other training avenues to build and maintain skills
• Comprehensive immunisation programs including the flu vaccine  
• Opportunities to build invaluable relationships across emergency service agencies, emergency service committees and other Government and community organisations.

How to apply

If you want to join a motivated team and develop advice, plans and systems to support our volunteers and communities to prepare for floods, storms and tsunamis, we want to hear from you.

Your application should include as separate attachments:

• A cover letter (maximum of two pages) briefly responding to the essential requirements and your previous experience in planning and research and why you want to join the NSW SES
• An up-to-date resume of no more than four pages detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about this opportunity, please contact Sonya Vickery, Coordinator Planning on 0483 206 864 or sonya.vickery@ses.nsw.gov.au

The role description is available here. 

A recruitment pool may be created to fill similar roles for both ongoing and temporary opportunities if they arise.

For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Sector please click here.

Applications close: Tuesday 14th November 2023, at 11:59pm.

The NSW State Emergency Service is a proud employer of a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to reflecting the diverse community we serve and creating an inclusive and flexible workplace. People with disability are supported to access adjustments in recruitment processes and in the workplace, to enable them to demonstrate their skills and capabilities to meet the requirements of the job. As supporters of flexible working, we welcome discussions about how our roles can be undertaken flexibly.