Assistant Commissioner – Director North & West Operations, PSSE Band 1
* Join the lead agency for flood, storm and tsunami.
* Lead and drive the strategic direction of operational response to our communities for our North, North Eastern, North Western and Western Zones.
* Join an inclusive volunteer‑based organisation with a diverse and growing membership dedicated to supporting and protecting communities across NSW.
* Ongoing role located in Tamworth, Dubbo, Metford or Wollongong with regular attendance at State Headquarters in Wollongong expected, particularly during operational activity.
* Senior Executive Band 1 role with a total remuneration package of between $265,293 and $290,239.
About the opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join the NSW SES Senior Executive Leadership Team, providing leadership for North & West Zone Operations.
The Assistant Commissioner – Director, North and West Operations provides strategic leadership to deliver high level operational services related to responding to floods, storms and tsunamis and to save lives and protect communities. The role leads the development, implementation and review of strategies, policy and frameworks for whole of organisation emergency response management to continually drive innovative and contemporary solutions that supports the quality of services to our communities.
The Assistant Commissioner is part of the Senior Executive Team, working closely with operational and corporate leadership and operates within an environment with responsibility for a diverse and growing workforce of both staff and volunteers. During operational events, the Assistant Commissioner undertakes the role of State Duty Commander, leading operational response during times of emergencies that often require an immediate response and are subject to emergency circumstances relating to communities under threat of flood, storm and other disasters.
The role promotes and represents the NSW SES in various situations including at Unit visits, Ministerial events, internal and external committees and media platforms such as radio and television interviews.
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 community as the lead agency for Floods, Storms and Tsunamis. 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.
With over 10,000 volunteers we are committed to protecting and supporting the diverse communities of NSW. Learn more here.
About you
To be successful in this role you will:
* have extensive experience in leading and managing the effective response to emergency events;
* possess knowledge of contemporary issues, challenges and approaches to emergency management within a volunteer workforce environment;
* be a future focussed leader who builds a culture which embraces innovation and reform across a diverse range of functions and activities;
* possess experience in driving and embedding effective stakeholder relationships including external stakeholders such as emergency service agencies, Minister’s Office, SEOC and media entities to exercise influence, promote and represent the NSW SES as the lead agency for flood, storm and tsunami;
* have thorough knowledge of Emergency Management principles and processes, and Strategic Command experience.
What we can offer you
* Flexible working conditions subject to business and emergency operational requirements
Meaningful and rewarding work. The SES’s mission is saving lives and creating safer communities and you will be a key part of our work.
* Operational and leadership training and development opportunities
* Attractive leave entitlements including parental, sick and recreation leave.
* Executive automobile leasing and on-site parking
* We care about our people. We have Mental Health & Wellbeing programs and services to support our people and operational and leadership training and development opportunities to develop our people. Some of these include:
o Fitness Passport
o LinkedIn Learning
o Member Assist Program for free confidential counselling support
o Flu vaccine program.
You Belong Here
* We care about people as individuals and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and new ways of working. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
* We want our people to reflect the diverse community we serve and are committed to creating an inclusive and flexible workplace.
* We want to know what this looks like for you so we can support your success at work.
If you require reasonable adjustments, we are committed to supporting you throughout the recruitment processes and in the workplace. If you feel you may require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact ***********@ses.nsw.gov.au for confidential advice on options.
Find out more
If you have any questions please contact Frances Knowles, Recruitment Advisor via email at ***************@ses.nsw.gov.au.
You can view the Role Description here.
If you’d like more information about the NSW SES, here are links to the NSW SES Adapt 2030 Strategic Plan and the 24/25 Annual Report.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please submit an application via the I Work for NSW site, attaching as separate documents:
* A cover letter (maximum of one page) briefly responding to the essential requirements and your interest in the role;
* Responses to each of the targeted questions (maximum of one page per answer); and
* An up-to-date resume of no more than four pages detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role.
Targeted Questions
* Please provide details of when you have been confronted by significant challenges in an emergency response environment. How did you deal with the challenges and what was the outcome?
* Describe your experience leading, developing and representing significant volunteer groups spread across large geographical areas in operational service delivery.
Applications close: Thursday, 7th May 2026 at 11:55pm
Talent Pool
A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role that may become available for filling over the next 18 months. Further information here.