Firefighter recruitment is open across Victoria

Diverse and exciting career opportunities with Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) are once again available for Victorians with a passion for the great outdoors and interest in being paid to learn new skills while keeping Victorian communities safer. Picture: ON FILE

Yarra Ranges residents can be part of the annual recruitment drive for Forest Fire Management Victoria as applications are now open.

Diverse and exciting career opportunities with Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) are once again available for Victorians with a passion for the great outdoors and interest in being paid to learn new skills while keeping Victorian communities safer.

FFMVic’s annual recruitment drive for seasonal firefighters ahead of this year’s bushfire season runs from 4-28 July.

Shannon Devenish, Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) for the Port Phillip region, said successful applicants would boost Victoria’s firefighting and land management efforts in the lead-up to summer and throughout the warmer months.

“Being a Project Firefighter can bring a sense of purpose and personal achievement knowing your efforts contribute to protecting Victorian communities and the environment,” she said.

“Recruits will have opportunities to train and work alongside FFMVic’s permanent firefighting staff, responding to emergencies such as bushfires and floods, as well as work in land management and reduce bushfire risk through planned burning, weed control, maintaining the public land road network and managing strategic fuel breaks.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a sea change, tree change or a job in your local community, with over 90 locations across Victoria, there’s a Project Firefighter position to suit you. This includes various opportunities within the Port Phillip region open at Powelltown, Gembrook, Woodlands, Lysterfield, Warrandyte, Woori Yallock, Olinda, Rosebud and Knoxfield.”

“Planned burning and emergency response deployments can occur anywhere across the state, providing opportunities to travel and work in different locations. In previous seasons, some recruits have also been deployed to support firefighting efforts across Australia and internationally.”

The new recruits will be part of a team of close to 1800 frontline personnel and 1200 accredited incident management personnel this bushfire season.

“FFMVic is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the Victorian community and welcomes applications from all. As part of an ongoing commitment to support meaningful careers for current and future First Nations staff, there are also designated positions to create opportunities for First Nations people,” Ms Devenish said.

Applications close 28 July and employment occurs between October and May, with some variation depending on seasonal requirements.

For information and to apply, visit jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/pff or call 136 186.