Team Leader Wildlife Licensing

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Lead, influence and deliver—driving projects and programs that support biodiversity and heritage across NSW
• Temporary full-time opportunity 30 June 2028
• Office location upon negotiation across NSW, hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $133,348 to $146,945 + super

Our Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator Wildlife Licensing team is currently seeking to appoint a Team Leader to play a key role in leading a high-performing team to administer licences under the Biodiversity and Conservation Act 2016 and deliver impactful programs and projects that support the regulation of wildlife across NSW.

As Team Leader, you will lead and develop a team of wildlife licensing officers responsible for delivering high-quality licensing services, projects and initiatives that support the strategic objectives of the Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator. You will oversee the assessment and determination of wildlife licence applications, ensuring decisions are consistent, evidence-based and compliant with legislative requirements, policies and operational procedures.

The role is responsible for managing complex, high-risk and sensitive licensing matters, providing expert technical and regulatory advice, and supporting compliance outcomes through close collaboration with enforcement, operations and policy teams. You will contribute to policy development, legislative reform and strategic initiatives that strengthen wildlife management and regulatory practice across NSW.

In addition, you will drive project planning and delivery, foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement, and support innovation within the team. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will build strong relationships, influence outcomes, manage competing priorities, and deliver practical, customer-focused solutions that achieve positive outcomes for biodiversity conservation and the community.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and capable people leader with strong wildlife management and regulatory experience, who is passionate about developing staff, driving continuous improvement, and delivering impactful environmental outcomes in a dynamic and evolving environment.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and collaborative leader with a proven ability to manage people, projects and competing priorities in a complex operational environment. You will be a strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of translating business objectives into practical outcomes and delivering high-quality results.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, and building capability in others. 
• Strong project and program management skills, including planning, prioritising resources, managing risks and delivering outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, influence outcomes and provide specialist advice to a range of audiences. 
• Sound judgement, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with experience identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing complex workloads, competing priorities and organisational change while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and business outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality correspondence, reports, ministerial briefings and responses to complex enquiries.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

This role would suit a motivated leader who enjoys driving outcomes through others, collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups and contributing to meaningful environmental and regulatory outcomes for NSW.

Essential Requirements

• Extensive experience in analysis, problem solving and project management with a proven ability to identify issues and manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage a team to consistently deliver a high- quality customer service against agreed performance standards.
• Appropriate tertiary qualifications and/or demonstrated relevant, equivalent professional experience.

Key knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated wildlife experience, including native animal handling skills and species identification.

For more information read the full Role Description: Team Leader

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)  

Please read the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Protocol to understand if it applies to your circumstances. All applicants for this role and new employees with an existing defined interest in the BOS will be required to disclose their personal (or a close family member’s) participation to ensure potential conflict of interests are declared and managed appropriately. 

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and a maximum 1-page cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

Applications close Tuesday 15th September 2026 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Bonnie Dench via Bonnie.Dench@dcceew.nsw.gov.au or on 02 9585 6166

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.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• 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 Lila Snow on 02 9995 5095 (please mention reference number 552901).

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

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