Introduction
The NSW Rural Fire Service is filling three Aboriginal Programs Officer roles that work with Aboriginal communities on culturally informed preparedness, hazard reduction and emergency-service initiatives.
This guide explains how to apply for Aboriginal Programs Officer and how to prepare the 500-word targeted response. The application requires PDF documents and asks for an example where technical or cultural knowledge helped deliver a task or project.
A strong response will make the cultural context and your own responsibility clear. Explain how you built trust, respected local knowledge and adjusted the work when a practical or community challenge emerged.
This is a targeted recruitment under GSE Rule 26. Confirm your eligibility and choose examples you can discuss authentically throughout the assessment process.
View the official Aboriginal Programs Officer vacancy.
Aboriginal Programs Officer role snapshot
| Role | Aboriginal Programs Officer |
|---|---|
| Organisation | NSW Rural Fire Service |
| Location | Sydney or regional NSW locations considered |
| Employment | Three temporary full-time roles to 30 June 2027, with possible extension |
| Remuneration | $88,378 to $96,767 plus 12% superannuation |
| Reference | R26-288 / 492921; iWorkForNSW job 599659 |
| Applications close | Monday 5 October 2026 at 11:55 pm |
| Official vacancy | Read the vacancy and open the application |
Application requirements
Prepare the cover letter and resume as PDFs, then draft the targeted answer in a separate document before pasting it into the online form. Keep the answer under 500 words.
- Cover letter in PDF format addressing the essential role requirements, suitability and interest.
- Resume in PDF format, including two current or recent professional referees with email and phone details.
- One targeted response in the online form, maximum 500 words.
Targeted questions
- Provide an example of when you have used your technical or Cultural knowledge to deliver a task or project. What challenges did you face and overcome?
Essential role requirements and work conditions
- This recruitment is targeted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under GSE Rule 26.
- Ability to meet the role’s travel, field-work and community-engagement requirements as stated in the role description.
- Successful completion of the required employment checks, including criminal history checks.
What to highlight in your application
The panel needs enough detail to assess what you personally did, why you chose that approach and what followed. The areas below are the strongest evidence priorities for this role.
| Evidence area | How to demonstrate it |
|---|---|
| Technical or cultural knowledge used in practice | Choose one task or project where your knowledge changed the way the work was planned or delivered. Explain what you knew, how you applied it and why it mattered in that place or community. |
| Trusted community relationships | Describe how you approached engagement with respect for local customs and existing relationships. Include the time you invested and the signs that people were willing to work with you. |
| A challenge you worked through | Name the practical, cultural or organisational barrier in the targeted example. Show how you listened, adjusted the method and kept the project moving without overstating your authority. |
| Safe program or field delivery | Use evidence from hazard reduction, land management, community programs or comparable work. Explain the controls and coordination that protected people while achieving the task. |
Example application structure
The targeted response should read as one complete example. Give enough context to explain the cultural or technical significance, then spend most of the words on your actions and the challenge you overcame.
- Begin with the task or project, community setting and your responsibility.
- Explain the technical or cultural knowledge you relied on and how it informed the approach.
- Describe the challenge and the people whose input mattered.
- Set out the changes you made and how you handled the work safely and respectfully.
- Close with the result and what you learned that would carry into RFS programs.
What the panel will want to see in your examples
- Authentic knowledge connected to a specific place, task or community.
- Respectful engagement that built enough trust to complete the work.
- Practical judgement when the original approach needed to change.
- A clear result that can be verified and discussed at assessment.
Before you submit
Check the targeted response is under 500 words and the question wording is reproduced accurately. Convert both attachments to PDF and open them after conversion to check formatting.
Confirm the resume contains the requested referee details and that each referee has agreed to be listed.
Return to the official Aboriginal Programs Officer vacancy to confirm the closing time and final portal instructions.
Help with your Aboriginal Programs Officer application
You can compare this role with the other campaigns in our current NSW Government multiple-vacancy shortlist. If the application needs a cover letter, our NSW Government cover letter template can help you organise the first draft.
If you want help choosing the evidence and preparing the full written application, request a Complete Government Job Application from Team 3Thirty.