Fire Tower Operator/General Hand Full-Time and Part-Time Temporary

Closes: 10 September 2026

Classification: General Service Officer Level 5
Salary: $77,358 - $80,716 plus superannuation
Position No: 49174, Several
Directorate: Justice and Community Safety
Advertised (Gazettal date): 27 August 2026
Contact Officer: Ben Radford on Ben.Radford@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 1881

Details: Do you enjoy working in our bush environment? Would you like to contribute to keeping our ACT community safe?

The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and its ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) Requires people to be involved in monitoring fire tower-based cameras or resource a fire tower during high fire danger weather, undertake fuel curing analysis to help determine the risk to the ACT, and manage the roadside signage trailers that help inform the community of the fire risk.

We have both seasonal and casual Fire Tower Operator/General Hand (FTOGH) opportunities available throughout the expected bushfire period.  The Fire Tower Operator/General Hand will commence on or close 1 October 2026 and cease on or before the 31 March 2027 and will undertake training at the start of this period.

The ACT fire tower Cameras are located in remote areas of the ACT and as part of this position you will need to be able to navigate across steep fire trails, access towers and be comfortable working in remote areas at height. You will work variable hours at times that will change dependant on Fire Danger Ratings throughout the bushfire season and you will regularly communicate within our Communications Centre.

Keeping our community safe as a FOGH may require you to work outside normal business hours, on weekends and to participate in an out-of-hours on-call roster, but overtime and shift penalties will be payable.  You will be provided with training and a uniform will be issued to you.

If you are interested in contributing to your community’s safety, have a current ‘C’ class driver’s licence and can obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People registration, we would like to hear from you.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Background and Security clearance checks will be conducted including National Police Records Check and a pre-employment medical is required for all new employees.
• Applicants should have a reasonable level of fitness, be willing to climb ladders and able to walk across uneven ground.
• Minimum C class driver’s licence is essential, Class Medium Rigid (MR) or above is highly desired.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra (act.gov.au)

Notes: This is a temporary position available from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027. There are both Full-time and part-time positions available. Part-time hours and the full-time salary noted above will be pro-rata.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a response of no more than two pages addressing the Professional/Technical Skills and Knowledge and the Behavioural Capabilities of the role, as described in the Position Description, together with your curriculum vitae and the contact details of two referees.

Applications should be submitted via the Apply Now button below.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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Note

This is a temporary position available from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027. There are both Full-time and part-time positions available. Part-time hours and the full-time salary noted above will be pro-rata.