Deputy Zone Commander, Clerk Grade 9/10, Tamworth

• Seeking enthusiastic Emergency (EM) and Incident Management (IM) professional.
• Work in a volunteer-based agency supporting communities of regional and remote NSW.
• Permanent Full Time Position.
• Based at the North Western Zone Office – Tamworth.

 

About the opportunity

The successful applicant will step into the pivotal role of North Western Zone Deputy Zone Commander (Superintendent), leading NSW SES volunteer Units across the vast and unique upper west of New South Wales spanning the Border Rivers, Northern Tablelands, the Namoi and Peel regions. This is more than a leadership position; it is an opportunity to shape capability, strengthen communities, and lead from the front in one of the most geographically diverse regions in the state.

As Deputy Zone Commander, you will provide direct operational leadership to a Command area of up to 11 regional Units, guiding and supporting volunteers while ensuring a constant state of readiness. From day-to-day planning and preparedness to building and maintaining critical stakeholder relationships, you will be at the centre of coordination, influence and decision-making across the Zone. You will represent the agency in interagency environments and play a key role in aligning efforts across emergency services and community partners.

When incidents occur, the role shifts from strategic to operational. Whether coordinating complex responses or stepping into Incident Control (subject to qualifications), you will lead teams through high-pressure environments where your decisions matter most.

Challenging, dynamic and deeply rewarding, this is a role unlike any other. Your “office” may be an Incident Control Centre one day, a flood rescue boat the next, or the expansive plains of the Border Rivers. You will work alongside dedicated volunteers – everyday Australians doing extraordinary things, where no two days are the same, and every action contributes to the safety and resilience of communities across NSW.

 

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 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 demonstrated experience in the control and management of emergency operations, including the ability to develop and conduct operational training exercises.
• Have experience leading staff and / or volunteers. Command experience is preferred.
• Be willing to become a qualified Incident Controller Level 2 within 12 months, with capacity to undertake the Level 3 qualification.
• Travel in the role is critical. You must be able to travel, work on-call and out-of-hours (including weekends) as required.
• Possess a thorough knowledge of AIIMS principles and processes.

As an emergency service specifically responsible for response in floods and storms and also supporting NSW Police in rescue services, our volunteers and staff experience high tempo, high consequence incidents. The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate an ability to lead through highly challenging situations.

 

What we can offer you 

• You will enjoy a 35-hour work week, with the potential for flexible work arrangements such as a nine-day fortnight or a four-day work week depending on the requirements of the role and operational needs
• You can enjoy a hybrid work environment, time in the office and time working from home.
• Attractive salary range of $129,464 to $142,665 plus 12% superannuation, leave loading and applicable allowances.
• Our work is meaningful and rewarding. The SES’s mission is saving lives and creating safer communities, and you can be an important part of our work.
• We have attractive leave entitlements including parental, sick, flex and recreation leave.
• 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:
  • Fitness Passport
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Member Assist Program for free confidential counselling support
  • 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 [email protected] for confidential advice on options.

 

 How to apply 

Your application should include as separate attachments:

• A cover letter (maximum of one page) briefly responding to the essential requirements and your interest in the role.  
• 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 Stephen Leahy on 04•• ••• 901 or ste•••••••••••@ses.nsw.gov.au

 

The role description is available Here. 

 

Talent Pool

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next 18 months. If a Talent Pool is created it will only be for candidates who are willing to work from Tamworth. 

 

Applications close: Monday, 30 June 2026 at 11:55pm