Manager Area

• Area Manager, Barwon (Clerk Grade 11-12) Ongoing full-time role
• Work from Barwon or Narrabri
• Package includes salary $154,231–$178,369 plus employer’s contribution to superannuation (and other incentives)

Bring your operational leadership experience to a role where the connection between your decisions and the places you protect is clear. With NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), you will lead work that matters - for conservation, visitors and the communities of northern inland NSW.

Lead a team of up to 31 staff caring for 41 parks and reserves across the Barwon Area. From the Nandewar Range and Kaputar National Park to Narran Lakes and Gwydir Wetlands, you will oversee conservation, visitor services and park operations across some of northern inland NSW’s most distinctive landscapes.

As part of the Northern Inland Branch management team, you will turn regional priorities into practical results, supporting staff across Narrabri, Bingara and remote depots. Your remit spans fire preparedness and response, threatened species, pest and weed control, visitor safety, infrastructure and heritage conservation, backed by sound financial and systems management.

Partnerships are central to the role. You will work with local communities and support the Deriah, Terry Hie Hie and Narran Lakes Joint Management Committees to deliver cultural heritage and joint management outcomes.

Considering a regional move? Narrabri offers schools, sporting facilities and cultural activities, with national parks close by. Bring your leadership experience to a role with variety, responsibility and a strong connection to place.

You know how to lead when the work is varied, the team is spread across locations and priorities compete. You bring strategic thinking, practical operational judgement and an approachable style that helps people work together. Your experience in protected area management or a related field has prepared you to lead field staff, rangers, administration and project staff, communicate clearly through change and translate plans into results. Just as importantly, you build trusted relationships with Aboriginal communities, local communities and stakeholders. If you are ready to apply that experience to the natural and cultural landscapes of the Barwon Area, we would like to hear from you.

• Extensive experience managing diverse, dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver a diverse range of park management operations and visitor services aligned to strategic organisational outcomes and competence in incident management planning and control.
• Extensive experience and proven ability to exercise sound judgement in working in a senior function including the provision of advice on management of various issues and provision of high level support.
• Proven ability to work in collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal communities to deliver cultural and environmental outcomes; and/or demonstrated ability in working with Aboriginal boards and committees under joint management arrangements.
• Current NSW Driver’s Licence.

For more information read the - Manager Area

NPWS is committed to building a robust pipeline of talent and ensuring strong representation of women in leadership roles. We aim to achieve a balanced and diverse leadership team. As such, we strongly encourage female candidates who possess the necessary capabilities and experience for these roles to apply.

• →About NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
• →Visit a park  
• →Northern Inland Branch Overview  

Submit application, including your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. 

Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur where no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified and must not exceed the duration or conditions associated with the current visa.

Sponsorship may be considered for applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and are eligible for sponsorship, where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident has been identified.

For further information about the role please contact John Whittall, Director Northern Inland Branch, NPWS on 0428693909 or john.whittall@dcceew.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months. 

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. 

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Naz Keya via naz.keya@dcceew.nsw.gov.au (please mention reference number 553636).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn. 

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Advertised: 30 Oct 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 22 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time

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