How To Apply for NPWS Senior Field Officer

Are you ready to take on a pivotal role that combines environmental conservation with hands-on leadership in the NSW Public Sector? As an NPWS Senior Field Officer, you’ll be at the forefront of protecting some of New South Wales’ most treasured environments. From supervising maintenance and construction projects to safeguarding flora, fauna, and Aboriginal heritage, this position lies at the heart of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

By providing critical operational support and ensuring that park facilities meet safety standards, you’ll help preserve natural habitats and cultural assets for generations to come.

Whether you’re drawn to fire management, pest and weed control, or community engagement, a career as an NPWS Senior Field Officer promises variety, challenge, and a real opportunity to make a difference.

This is a great opportunity with positions all around the state. For example, as at time of writing (February 2025) there are three full time roles available.

Below, you can see exactly how to apply including an example cover letter. If you are applying, make sure you get someone to review your cover letter and go through the checklist below.

Eager to stand out from other applicants? Our comprehensive example cover letter, tips on how to apply, and detailed guidance on the STAR method will equip you with everything you need to navigate public sector recruitment successfully—especially if you’re aiming to thrive in the dynamic, rewarding world of NPWS conservation work.

If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for more insider tips and context.

NPWS Senior Field Officer Salary and Overview

About the NPWS Senior Field Officer role

As an NPWS Senior Field Officer, you will join a committed group of professionals dedicated to the long-term preservation of our state’s unique landscapes.

In this role, you’ll supervise Field Officers and contractors responsible for the construction and maintenance of park facilities, including tracks, camping areas, and heritage structures. You will also help coordinate pest and weed control measures to protect sensitive flora, fauna, and Aboriginal heritage from invasive species. Additionally, you’ll play a pivotal part in fire management, working closely with teams to perform hazard reduction burns and respond to wildfires.

These responsibilities align with broader conservation goals, ensuring that local ecosystems remain resilient and culturally significant areas are respected. By collaborating with colleagues, community groups, and other government bodies, you’ll make a genuine impact on environmental stewardship.

The position of NPWS Senior Field Officer comes with both exciting and demanding challenges. Coordinating construction and maintenance tasks in remote or rugged environments often requires innovative problem-solving and careful scheduling. During peak fire seasons, you’ll be called upon to support critical fire management tasks—an aspect of the job where safety protocols and agility are paramount.

Similarly, managing pest and weed control programs to protect sensitive ecosystems can be a balancing act of resources, timing, and stakeholder engagement. You must also uphold compliance with NSW Public Sector standards and environmental regulations, ensuring each project aligns with the region’s conservation objectives. Strong decision-making skills and the ability to maintain productive relationships with contractors, Field Officers, and local communities are essential for success.

Why I like this opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone seeking a stable, full-time role that doesn’t involve sitting behind a desk all day.

There are multiple positions available. As of this writing, applications are open for roles in the Southern Highlands and Kempsey, but similar opportunities appear across the state regularly, with new locations being recruited each week.

If this role sounds perfect for you but the current locations are too far away, I strongly recommend applying anyway. Here’s why:

1. Great practice – Even if you don’t land the job immediately, going through the process (especially if you make it to interviews) will give you valuable experience.
2. Access to the talent pool – If you’re placed in the talent pool, you can be considered for future vacancies anywhere in the state without needing to reapply. That means if a role opens up closer to home, you could be offered the position directly.

To maximise your chances, I suggest that once you’re in the talent pool, you reach out to the hiring manager in your preferred location. Not sure who that is? Do some research, find their details, and make contact—it could make all the difference. You can read all my advice on turning your talent pool placement into a job offer here.

Choosing a career as an NPWS Senior Field Officer offers numerous advantages for those passionate about the environment and eager to grow within the NSW Public Sector:

In addition to a competitive salary, the position offers a 17% loading for weekend and public holiday work, plus accrued days off (AROs) and access to public sector leave opportunities.

NPWS Senior Field Officer Application Requirements

Application Process

To apply for this role, you will need a cover letter and an up to date resume.

There are no target questions to address in this role.

In your cover letter, make sure you clearly address all of the essential role requirements. This should be the focus of your cover letter.

If you’re staring at a blank page, download this free cover letter template to help jump-start your application.

Essential Role Requirements

The NPWS Senior Field Officer position has a clear list of essential role requirements. It’s a comprehensive list, but if you meet some—though not all—of them, I still encourage you to apply. For certain requirements, you’ll need to explain how you meet them, while for others, a simple confirmation is sufficient.

Make sure you cover off on all of these in your cover letter:

• Ability to work within the Department’s statutory obligations related to the conservation of natural, Aboriginal, and cultural heritage and resources, with a willingness to exercise delegated authority for law enforcement.
• Demonstrated experience in the maintenance and construction of general facilities and grounds, with the ability to supervise and perform all duties safely in compliance with WH&S requirements.
• Ability to implement planned field and operational activities, including pest animal and plant control, along with demonstrated skills and experience in fire management.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, including proficiency in various software programs and the ability to use the Agency’s financial and asset management systems.
• Relevant WorkCover certification, along with the ability and experience required for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery, plant, and equipment used in maintenance and construction work.
• Current Australian Class C driver’s licence or equivalent, MR driver’s licence, and the ability to operate 4WD vehicles.
• Must also hold a Senior First Aid Certificate, have experience operating MR vehicles, and be willing to fly in light aircraft.
• Certification and demonstrated ability in operating chainsaws (at least to cross-cut level) and proficiency in supervising and using radio communication systems.

This is a physically active role that will suit candidates of all genders who are fit, enjoy teamwork outdoors, and are eager to develop skills to help maintain NSW’s natural places. Applicants must pass a medical assessment, including a firefighting fitness test (if required) within 12 months. Certifications must be obtained before undertaking firefighting or incident control duties.

Application Checklist

Candidate Profile for NPWS Senior Field Officer

To illustrate the application process, we’re going to guide Warren through it.

Warren has spent the last few years working as a temporary maintenance officer for his local council. He enjoys working outdoors and has a strong appreciation for nature. His experience has given him many of the skills required for the NPWS Senior Field Officer role, such as maintaining public spaces, operating machinery, and working as part of a team in an outdoor environment.

However, there are aspects of the role where he has less experience—areas that will provide him with the opportunity to grow and develop new skills. By carefully addressing these gaps in his application, Warren can position himself as a strong candidate while demonstrating his eagerness to learn and take on new challenges.

NPWS Senior Field Officer Example Cover Letter

Explain the STAR Technique

The STAR technique stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It’s a structured method of providing examples that highlight your capabilities, typically used in public sector recruitment processes, including the NSW Public Sector. Here’s how it works:

• Situation: Describe the context or challenge you faced, such as maintaining park facilities in a remote location or dealing with an unexpected hazard.
• Task: Outline your goal or responsibility. In the NPWS Senior Field Officer role, this might involve overseeing a construction project or planning a pest control program.
• Action: Explain what you did to address the situation—your approach to problem-solving, how you applied safety measures, or how coordinated resources including people and equipment.
• Result: Detail the outcomes. Did you finish the task on schedule? Did your actions protect local flora, fauna, and Aboriginal heritage? Quantify successes where possible.

Referring back to the Example Cover Letter, you can see the STAR method in action. By structuring your experiences in this way, you help recruitment panels clearly understand your focus capabilities and potential contributions to the NPWS team.

How to Prepare for a Public Sector Interview

Securing a position within the NSW Public Sector often involves demonstrating technical knowledge, practical experience, and alignment with focus capabilities. Here are some steps to ensure you’re well-prepared:

1. Review the Focus Capabilities: Examine the Role Description and the NSW Capability Framework to identify the core skills needed for an NPWS Senior Field Officer. Understanding these capabilities helps you tailor your examples.
2. Brainstorm Examples: List real-life situations where you successfully managed construction and maintenance, addressed pest and weed control, or engaged in fire management. Think about how these examples align with the role’s demands.
3. Match to Indicators: Ensure your examples illustrate behaviours the panel is looking for, such as leadership, teamwork, or the ability to follow safety protocols.
4. Use the STAR Method: Structure each response around Situation, Task, Action, Result so that your answers are clear and concise.
5. Practise & Use Notes: Rehearse your answers, especially if the interview format allows you to reference notes. If not, study them beforehand to remain calm and confident.

If you get an interview, make sure you download our workbooks with public sector questions and answers to be fully prepared.

Below are three possible interview questions relevant to an NPWS Senior Field Officer role:

• “Can you describe a time when you led a construction or maintenance project from start to finish?”
• “How have you handled pest or weed control measures in environmentally sensitive areas?”
• “What strategies do you use to ensure safety during fire management or hazard reduction burns?”

Here’s one example of how to respond using the STAR method when asked about dealing with a remote worksite:

Situation: “We were assigned to repair a walking trail in a national park known for its steep terrain and delicate vegetation.”
Task: “My responsibility was to lead a small team to complete the repairs efficiently while minimising environmental impact.”
Action: “I mapped out the area, ensured everyone had the proper safety gear, and coordinated with rangers to identify protected flora that needed extra caution.”
Result: “We finished the repairs two days early, stayed within budget, and received commendations from the park authority for our thorough environmental precautions.”

Good luck!

Ready to join the NPWS team? Click here to apply for the NPWS Senior Field Officer position before the closing date.

If you need further support, consider getting a professional review of your cover letter. A polished submission can make the difference in a public sector recruitment process where every detail matters. I wish you the best of luck in pursuing this unique and rewarding opportunity!