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Program information

Work with us to create thriving, productive and sustainable communities, environments and industries.

The DEECA Science Graduate Program is a two-year fixed term learning and development initiative open to recent graduates of science, natural resource management, agriculture, ecology, conservation, or related fields.

This award-winning program provides you with varied and meaningful experiences to help kick-start your career. You’ll gain a mix of field and policy work, exposure to research, and be involved in community engagement activities to understand the work we do and build future leaders.

During the 2-year program, you’ll get:

  • varied rotations across Victoria to develop your skills and explore different areas of the business
  • a starting salary of more than $68,000
  • learning and development opportunities tailored to your career goals
  • flexible working arrangements
  • mentoring
  • an excellent social and networking base with other graduates.

Applications open June 2026.

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The Australian Associate for Graduate Employers (AAGE) recognised DEECA as a top employer once again in 2026.

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2027 DEECA Science Graduate Program – key dates

Applications open: 10 am on Friday 5 June 2026

Applications close: 11:59 pm on Monday 6 July 2026

Online assessment: From Tuesday 7 July 2026

Video interviews: From Tuesday 7 July 2026

Virtual assessment centres: Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 August 2026

Offer stage: September/October 2026

Start day: 1 February 2027

Graduate role descriptions

We recruit graduates from a wide range of disciplines each year, including science, natural resource management, ecology, conservation, sustainability, energy, water, agriculture, and related fields.

Graduate roles are fixed-term, full-time positions offered across Victoria, running for two years and featuring three diverse eight-month rotations designed to build your experience, networks, and skills.

Regional roles

DEECA’s vision is to support thriving, productive and sustainable communities, environments and industries across Victoria. We do this by listening to, working alongside and partnering with the community.

Regional roles and rotations offer graduates a unique opportunity to build strong local networks, gain on-the-ground experience, and contribute meaningfully to the communities at the heart of DEECA’s work.

These roles are essential in delivering integrated responses to environmental, agricultural, and climate challenges across Victoria. Graduates must be prepared to relocate regionally if required.

2027 Graduate position and rotation location

Read below, or download all 21 roles descriptions: 2027 Science Graduate Program – Position summaries (DOCX, 87.5 KB).

Location: All in Melbourne CBD

Resources Victoria (Geological Survey of Victoria) is seeking a Graduate Data Analyst to join the Exploration Geoscience Information team.

In this role, you’ll help turn complex geoscience and mining datasets into trusted information products and insights that support effective regulation and utilisation of Victoria’s resource data.

You’ll be supported throughout the program through on-the-job learning, access to learning and development opportunities, and the chance to build your capability across multiple teams and systems.

Across three 8-month rotations, you’ll work with a wide variety of data types and sources, with a focus on improving data quality, integrating datasets into relational databases, generating insights from large data holdings, and analysing spatial information.

Rotation 1 is with the Exploration Geoscience Information team, supporting projects to optimise data management and administration processes for business improvement, using products including Salesforce, AWS and Oracle

Rotation 2 is in the Systems, Insights and Quality team of Regulatory Operations, gaining exposure to regulatory data and supporting business performance insights through analysis and reporting, using tools such as Salesforce and Power BI.

Rotation 3 returns you to Exploration Geoscience Information, focused on geoscience data validation, identifying data redundancy and improving utilisation of persistent identifiers. There is also scope to use GIS and spatial data to understand temporal changes to mineral licences.

You’ll suit this role if you’ve recently completed a Bachelor of Science (or similar) with a major in Data Science (or a closely related field), and you bring a strong foundation in data analysis, principles of computer science, problem definition, and user requirements gathering.

An interest in geoscience and/or mining is desirable.

Location: Melbourne CBD and Ballarat

Resources Victoria is seeking a Graduate to join its Regulatory Operations Division. This role will be embedded within the Regulatory Compliance team, where you will support the regulation of the State’s earth resources activities while developing your regulatory expertise.

You will be supported throughout the program with on-the-job learning, access to professional development opportunities, and the chance to build your knowledge and skills across multiple regulatory teams and systems.

Across three 8-month rotations, you will work with field-based teams undertaking compliance activities. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with teams that develop the insights underpinning Resources Victoria’s risk-based approach to regulation.

Rotation 1 Regional Operations (West): Gain firsthand experience in developing inspection plans and assisting with compliance monitoring of sites through both inspections and desktop assessments.

Rotation 2 Assessment: You will be immersed in the dynamic environment of assessments, where you will experience how to consider the competing priorities of extracting the state's precious resources to balance the environment, community and economics.

Rotation 3 Rehabilitation Liability and Assessment: Develop an understanding of the establishment and management of rehabilitation bonds, and the methods used to assess rehabilitation liability for mining and extractive operations.

This opportunity may be ideal for you if you have recently completed a Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Hydrogeology, government investigation or a related discipline, and have a strong interest in regulation, making a difference and working in a team. The role is best suited to someone who enjoys fieldwork and travel. An interest in geoscience and/or mining is desirable.

Location: All in Melbourne CBD

The Energy Policy Graduate will experience working in DEECA’s Energy Group and will support policy teams in their work to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This role will contribute to the delivery of the Gas Substitution Roadmap work program, which is helping Victoria navigate the path to net zero emissions while cutting energy bills and ensuring reliability.

The role will also contribute to the development of electrification and energy efficiency policy, which underpins Victoria's minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, and will collaborate with other jurisdictions on the National Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings and the energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code.

The Energy Policy Graduate will be able to determine the work area in the Energy Group for their third and final rotation, guided by priority projects at the time.

The Energy Policy Graduate will gain experience in critical government processes, developing energy policy in regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement and program delivery. This role is well-suited to someone who enjoys working in a collaborative team environment and who has strong problem-solving, data literacy and analytical skills.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, energy, climate science, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related discipline.

Location: All in Melbourne CBD

The Energy Policy Graduate will experience working in DEECA’s Energy Group and will support policy teams in their work to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This role will contribute to the development of policy for electricity distribution networks, including the reform of regulatory frameworks applicable to Victoria. The role will also contribute to project delivery, providing the graduate experience and understanding of the application of policy in the delivery of programs to benefit Victorians.

The Energy Policy Graduate will be able to determine the work area for their third and final rotation, guided by their coordinating supervisor and priority projects at the time.

The intent is to provide diversity from previous rotations, with a focus on either a regional experience or a different subject focus within the Energy Group.

The Energy Policy Graduate will gain experience in critical government processes, including developing energy policy through regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery.

This role is well-suited to someone who enjoys working in a collaborative team environment and who has strong problem-solving, data literacy and analytical skills.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Science in a relevant field such as environmental science, energy, climate science, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related discipline

Location: All in Melbourne CBD

Positions 5, 6 and 7 provide graduates with the opportunity to contribute to major streams of work undertaken within the Information Services Division at DEECA. The position will complete an 8-month rotation in three ISD work streams – Artificial Intelligence, Digital Strategy and Cyber Security - across the 24-month contract.

The graduate will learn from and contribute to:

  • progressing and developing safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence across the department.
  • advanced AI Agent development, maintenance and support with a strong focus on governance, security and compliance
  • designing and implementing data solutions using MS Fabric
  • programs of work under the department’s Digital Strategy, which could include, but are not limited to, digital automation and workflow design and development
  • working with information and data to support solutions for insight and analysis
  • development, delivery, maintenance and improvement of data and systems integrations within Information Services and across DEECA and its enterprise systems
  • supporting DEECA’s central cybersecurity team in strengthening the department’s cybersecurity posture
  • assessing security threats, vulnerabilities and exposure of applications, software and services.
  • interpreting legislation and Victorian government standards to ensure compliance and appropriate management of cybersecurity risks.
  • identifying cybersecurity risks and preparing appropriate documentation and treatment plans.
  • understanding modern information security concepts and practices and communicating technical ideas and strategies effectively across the department.

There is also an opportunity to work across supplementary work streams within Information Services during the contracted period to allow the incumbent to gain exposure to operationalising ICT projects and services across the department

The role requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical staff with impact, critical thinking capability and a systems-oriented approach to problem-solving.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Computer Science or Technology with a major in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, data science, software engineering, or a related discipline

Location: Maffra/ Melbourne CBD/ Kerang

The Graduate Irrigation Officer role provides a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to establish a career that supports irrigated agriculture and works with a team of technical and policy experts to build lasting networks and a strong grounding in irrigation and water management.

It’s the perfect opportunity to quickly build connections and deepen your understanding of irrigated agriculture in a supportive environment.

In this role, you will be trained to work across the Irrigation program within Agriculture Victoria and more broadly across DEECA Catchment Programs and Rural Policy to provide advice and develop programs that support farmers to minimise the offsite impacts of irrigation, adapt to the challenges of climate change and support the sustainable and productive use of water.

You will develop skills in project management, stakeholder engagement and service delivery, including specific skills in irrigation technology, salinity management and agriculture and water policy. You will hone your ability to present information to diverse audiences using different media, as well as develop the confidence to get out in the field and influence change at both farm and industry scales.  

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Science/Agriculture Science qualification or equivalent and will be provided with the flexibility to develop skills and experience within areas of interest key to Irrigated Agriculture, which may include Irrigation system selection and design, salinity management, environmental management, adapting to the impacts of climate change and water/agriculture policy.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Science or equivalent in a relevant field such as agriculture, natural resource management, environmental management, agribusiness, or a related discipline.

Location: Horsham/ Melbourne CBD/ Attwood

This Science Graduate position offers a unique opportunity to undertake three diverse eight-month rotations across Agriculture Victoria, building a strong foundation for a career at the intersection of science, policy and industry.

Designed to develop technical capability, broaden experience, and create meaningful impact, the program enables graduates to apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges while strengthening analytical, communication, and project-delivery skills.

Commencing in the Agriculture Science and Technology division, in the Plant Pathology unit based at the Horsham SmartFarm. During this rotation, you will develop broad pathology expertise through hands-on laboratory work with plant pathogens, alongside preparing and conducting field experiments and plant disease assessments.

You will engage with the industry to understand emerging disease challenges, contribute to applied research, and support knowledge sharing by presenting findings to advisors and growers. This rotation builds practical scientific skills and industry awareness in plant health and biosecurity.

During the second rotation, you will join the Industry Insights unit in the Forestry and Fibre Industry division. During this rotation, you will support the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based advice that informs the future of Victoria’s forestry and fibre sector.

You will contribute to interdisciplinary research and analysis across economic, environmental and industry issues, working with datasets such as field surveys, business and geospatial data, as well as qualitative approaches including literature reviews and stakeholder-focused research.

You will also support policy development, systems improvement and collaboration, gaining insight into how science and data inform government decision-making.

In the final rotation, you will join the Animal Welfare and Agriculture Policy (AWARP) division to apply your scientific and analytical skills to complex policy and regulatory challenges.

You will contribute to projects across animal welfare, biosecurity, food safety and agricultural chemicals, supporting the development of policy and legislative options, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will gain exposure to the policy lifecycle and the role of science in ensuring safe, sustainable and trusted agricultural systems.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Science or equivalent in a relevant field such as agriculture, natural resource management, environmental management, agribusiness, or a related discipline.

Location: All in Heidelberg / East Melbourne

Kick-start your career in applied ecological science with DEECA as a Graduate Scientist within the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI). This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful environmental research while undertaking a structured graduate rotation program.

As part of a three-rotation program, you will work alongside leading scientists to deliver research that supports evidence-based policy and environmental management across Victoria.

You will gain hands-on experience in both field and office settings, contributing to ecological studies focused on flora, fauna and biodiversity. In this role, you will assist with field-based sampling programs across diverse environments, including remote locations, using a range of scientific techniques.

You will also support project planning and delivery, undertake data analysis, maintain databases, and contribute to technical reports, literature reviews and scientific publications. Under supervision, you will help develop project briefs and present research findings to stakeholders, building your professional communication skills.

Working within the Land and Biodiversity Policy Division, you will be part of a collaborative environment that connects science, policy and on-ground outcomes. You’ll engage with internal teams, external partners and community stakeholders to help deliver meaningful environmental outcomes for Victoria.

We are seeking motivated graduates with a relevant science qualification (e.g. environmental science or natural resource management; spatial data analysis or computer science), a strong interest in ecological research, and a willingness to work in varied conditions, including fieldwork. Success in this role requires strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, along with a commitment to safety, cultural awareness and scientific integrity.

To be considered for this position, you must have a Bachelor of Science in environmental science, natural resource management, sustainability, geospatial science, computer science, or a related discipline.

Bushfire and Forest Services (BFS) positions 11 to 21

Bushfire and Forest Services (BFS) plays a critical role in managing 3.2 million hectares of State forest across Victoria.

This includes maintaining recreation assets, supporting tourism, delivering forest health initiatives, and leading DEECA’s work in preparing for and responding to bushfires and other emergencies on public land, helping to reduce risk to people, property and the environment.

BFS provides expert advice to the government on forest and fire management and acts as one of DEECA’s key regional touchpoints. It ensures that policies and programs are grounded in local knowledge and meet the needs of Victorian communities.

In 2027, BFS is offering eleven Science Graduate roles across multiple teams. Each role includes three diverse rotations that provide hands-on experience in areas such as forest and fire planning, spatial analysis, policy development, strategic risk, and emergency preparedness.

To be considered for BFS positions, you must have a Bachelor of Science or a related degree in environmental science, conservation, natural resource management, environmental engineering, biodiversity, geospatial science, agriculture, or a closely related discipline.

Explore each role below to see where a BFS graduate position could take you.

Location: Horsham/ Melbourne CBD/ Grampians

Support the planning and delivery of forest and fire management across the Grampians region, contributing to environmental values assessment, bushfire risk analysis, and sustainable land management initiatives.

Working in the regions Environmental Values team to support forest and fire management works, including strategic and tactical environmental values assessment and planning.

The graduate will support landscape-level risk analysis of environmental values, including ecological resilience modelling for forest and fire planning. They will also support tactical assessments of biodiversity values to support Joint Fuel Management Planning.

The graduate will gain experience and proficiency in using ArcPro GIS, eMap, FMS and corporate databases. They will also gain an understanding of environmental legislation as it relates to DEECAs Forest Fire Management program and build skills in field monitoring techniques, plant ID, and report writing.

Rotation 2 will play a Forest Health-related role to support the delivery of the Seed and/or Regeneration programs (and preferably regionally based).

The graduate will be assisting with the development of operational and tactical plans; support the coordination and delivery of on-site operations (seed collection, searching, extraction and storage management; regeneration site preparation, planting, sowing).

Rotation 3 will focus on planning sustainable firewood coups and assisting in the planning of the forest contractor program for the Grampians. They will also assist in fire recovery projects as required, specifically, Mt Cole recreational assets.

The graduate will support the development of a sustainable firewood plan for the Grampians region, including thinning for forest health, planned burn by-products & sugargum coupes, and assisting with other specialist planning projects in the Grampians, including the forest contractor program and technical projects that arise.

The graduate will gain experience in researching and developing sustainable firewood plans in a variety of environments and species, GIS mapping of projects and values management, and project planning and delivery.

Location: Melbourne CBD/ flex Knox OR Woori OR Powelltown/ Melbourne CBD

Help shape Victoria’s bushfire management and emergency management policy by contributing to strategic planning, regulatory design, and evidence-based decision-making at a state-wide level.

Rotation 1 will contribute to the development of strategic policy to support bushfire management policy in Victoria. This includes integrated strategic planning for forest and fire management, regulatory design, and the identification and removal of barriers to Traditional Owner cultural fire.

Policy development requires collaboration across multiple areas and partnership with Traditional Owners.

The graduate will support priority fire policy development for Forest Fire Management Victoria, likely focusing on planned burning and hazardous trees. A key focus will be the translation of scientific evidence-based into operational policy settings.

Rotation 2 will support the development and delivery of the Joint Fuel Management Program (JFMP) and Operational Forest Management Program (OFMP).

The graduate will gain experience and knowledge in:

  • DEECA's planning processes in developing and compiling the JFMP and the OFMP
  • coordinating values management
  • engagement with both State and District staff
  • technical knowledge in systems, including QuickBase, ArcGis, FMS and EMap.

Rotation 3 will contribute to DEECAs emergency management policy, coordination, and governance services, and to the emergency management sector, including providing strategic advice and input to shape emergency management policy and whole-of-Victorian Government emergency management reforms.

The graduate will support Emergency management policy development, coordination and project work, as well as gain an understanding of DEECA's emergency management responsibilities and whole of government emergency management approach.

Location: Hume/ Murrindinidi/ Hume

Gain broad, hands-on experience across forest and fire planning in the Hume Region, supporting operational, tactical, and strategic land management activities.

The first rotation is with the Forest and Fire Planning team within the Hume Region. It is intended that the role would assist the team with key forest and fire planning activities and projects.

The rotation will work across all aspects of Forest and Fire Planning, including the development of forest and fire operational plans, values management, engagement, monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, and spatial data management. Depending on the applicant's skills and interests, a project or program would be selected for focus.

The second rotation is with the Murrindindi District planning team, and the role is intended to assist in developing tactical plans for the delivery of forest and fire management works. This rotation would include a Fire Training component (General Firefighter at a minimum).

The rotation will work across all forest and fire management activities (including fuel management, pest management, roading and recreation) in the development of operational plans, values management, engagement and monitoring and evaluation.

The third rotation is with the Forest and Fire Program team within the Hume Region, assisting with key forest and fire specialist planning activities and projects.

The rotation will focus on specialist projects occurring in the Hume Region (including recovery, forest contractor management, roading) in the development of operational plans, values management, engagement and monitoring and evaluation.

Location: Ballarat/ flex Melbourne CBD or Regional/ flex Grampians

Contribute to forest and fire management planning in the Grampians region, supporting tactical operations, fire ecology programs, and strategic decision-making.

The first rotation is with the Midlands District Forest and Fire Planning team in the Grampians Region and will focus around tactical and operational planning.

The graduate will support many activities in the team, such as tactical planning around fuel management, including burn planning, JFMP development, NBFT works, Forest Planning around roading, recreation, firewood coupes, and pest and plant animal programs.

Rotation 2 will involve working as part of the team responsible for coordinating and delivering the department's fire ecology program. You will have the opportunity to work in the field and in the office, supporting management and decision-making on a variety of projects that advance ecosystem values.

This position supports the delivery of high-quality policy, planning and land management, drawing on strong research, analysis and communication skills.

This rotation will focus on:

  • working together to develop and improve decision support tools
  • undertaking research
  • supporting analysis of ecosystem resilience
  • supporting regional teams
  • developing skills in modelling and analysis.

The third rotation is with the Grampians Strategy, Risk and Spatial Services Team supporting strategic planning of forest and fire management works. The graduate will work to undertake strategic planning processes to better inform and guide forest and fire management within the Grampians Region.

Location: Epsom/ Melbourne CBD/ flex Irymple or Mildura

Support the delivery and improvement of planned burning and forest management programs, contributing to risk reduction, operational planning, and environmental outcomes across Victoria.

Rotation 1 will focus on reviewing Murray Goldfields planned burning prescriptions, engaging experts and stakeholders to analyse existing data, assess alignment with current prescriptions and the Fire Behaviour Index, and strengthen the planned burning program to achieve defined burn objectives.

The graduate will support Planned Burning Prescriptions and Tactical Forest and Fire Planning

Rotation 2 will support the state forest and fire program team. The graduate will work with the team, coordinate with regional fuel management and other programs, develop procedures, and contribute to discussions on strategy and policy development.

The rotation will focus on working with the state team to support program development and reporting, and providing input to procedures and their implementation with regional staff.

This role provides a unique opportunity to update and operationalise a values, risk analysis and management tool for bushfire response across the Mallee landscape, supporting real‑world operational decision‑making.

The graduate will also contribute to forest health initiatives such as Protecting Biodiversity and Bush Bank, gaining exposure across planning and on‑ground delivery within pest plant and animal programs, and revegetation works.

Location: Melbourne CBD/ Attwood/ Melbourne CBD

Work across emergency management policy, regulatory practice, and land management planning to support effective governance and evidence-based decision-making in bushfire and forest services.

Rotation 1 will contribute to DEECAs emergency management policy, coordination, and governance services, and to the emergency management sector, including providing strategic advice and input to shape emergency management policy and whole-of-Victorian Government emergency management reforms.

The graduate will support Emergency management policy development, coordination, and project work, and will gain an understanding of DEECA's emergency management responsibilities and whole-of-government emergency management approaches.

Rotation 2 will support the Conservation Regulator in being an effective, trusted, best-practice regulator that delivers outcomes for the community.

This placement will support activities and gain experience across a variety of projects across the Regulator. These rotations will provide you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as an Authorised Officer, should you choose to do so.

The second rotation will work in the Regulatory Strategy and Permissions branch, supporting the administration of wildlife and biodiversity licences and permits.

Rotation 3 you will contribute to the development and implementation of Bushfire Forest Services Group's Land Management Planning services.

The graduate will utilise knowledge gained in Risk Modelling and Bushfire Science Research to understand how this is applied in land management decision-making, including the development of new strategic plans for managing bushfire risk.

Location: Melbourne CBD/ flex Melbourne CBD OR Woori Yallock/ Woori Yallock

Contribute to the work of the Conservation Regulator while supporting innovation in forest and fire planning systems and the delivery of high-impact operational programs.

Supporting the Conservation Regulator in being an effective, trusted, best-practice regulator that delivers outcomes for the community. This placement will support activities and gain experience across a variety of projects across the Regulator.

These rotations will provide you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as an Authorised Officer, should you choose to do so.

The first rotation will work within the Office of the Chief Conservation Regulator and support the Regulator's core functions, including project coordination and advice, media and communications, and engagement and partnerships.

You will be part of a team that is modernising forest and fire management planning systems, developing doctrine, and improving the management of spatial data for operational and tactical forest and fire management.

The graduate will support an innovative team that is designing and developing a new forest management planning system and planning framework.

The graduate will be able to assist by bringing fresh eyes and ideas to the design of the system. The graduate will assist in developing the land management manual that supports the planning reform framework and the planning flows from policy through strategic, operational, and tactical to delivery.

You will contribute to the planning and delivery of high-impact works, such as strategic fuelbreaks, hazardous tree removal, burn preparation, and other work to be completed in the year through the Forestry Contractor Program.

The graduate will support tactical planning and the delivery of more complex forest-based works.

Location: flex Melbourne CBD OR Regional/ Far Southwest/ flex Melbourne CBD or Regional

Work at the intersection of bushfire science, policy, and planning to support innovative risk modelling, decision-making tools, and operational planning across Victoria.

The position will contribute to the development of innovative bushfire modelling tools and products that support strategic and operational fire management planning and decision‑making.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the rotation will support innovation and continuous improvement projects and will helping integrate applied fire science research into operational tools, methods, and products that inform planning and risk management.

The graduate will support:

  • annual and in-season fire risk reporting
  • development of decision support products for the Joint Fuel Management Program (JFMP) planning
  • input into a range of risk modelling enhancement projects
  • support research projects in the applied fire science program
  • field work to test and validate fuel and fire behaviour models
  • input into fire reconstructions for 2025/26 season

This role supports district forest and fire planning by contributing to the development of tactical plans that guide the delivery of fuel management, forest management and associated works.

Working within a District Forest and Fire Planning Team, the graduate will help translate local knowledge, policy, risk and program priorities into clear, deliverable plans that support safe and effective operations and the efficient use of established planning and delivery programs, including FCP.

The graduate will support:

  • development of tactical forest and fire management plans (e.g. burn plans, site plans, works orders)
  • supporting district works programming and prioritisation, including utilisation of FCP to deliver planned outcomes
  • integrating local knowledge, risk and policy requirements into planning processes.

The rotation will contribute to developing a strategic policy to support Victoria's bushfire management policy.

This includes integrated strategic planning for forest and fire management, regulatory design, and the identification and removal of barriers to Traditional Owner cultural fire. Policy development requires collaboration across multiple areas and partnership with Traditional Owners.

The graduate will support the development of priority fire policies for Forest Fire Management Victoria, likely focusing on planned burning and hazardous trees. A key focus will be the translation of scientific evidence-based into operational policy settings.

Location: Grampians/ Grampians/ Ballarat

Support strategic and operational forest and fire planning in the Grampians region, with a focus on spatial services, cultural heritage management, and program delivery.

Rotation 1 will be working in the regions' Strategy, Risk and Spatial Services Team. This position will support the delivery of GIS services whilst enhancing the region's GIS enterprise platform and Grampians Staff self-service capability.

The graduate will support the development of spatial products for the Grampians Region and capacity-building in the use of ESRI Enterprise.

Rotation 2 you will support Cultural Heritage assessments and planning. The graduate will develop an understanding of cultural heritage management practices and procedures across the disciplines of Aboriginal and Historic Heritage.

Working with Traditional Owners to progress self-determination in cultural heritage management. Support the delivery of JFMP and OFMP to protect cultural values across the Grampians landscape.

Rotation 3 you will be working in the regions' Operational Forest and Fire Planning team and supporting the development of 3-5 year plans for forest and fire management works, informed by regional strategic plans and reflective of local knowledge and intelligence and working in partnership with Traditional Owners to progress their aspirations for cultural fire.

The graduate position will have a focus on land and fire management planning.

Location: Melbourne CBD/ Melbourne CBD/ Regional

Contribute to fire ecology, bushfire policy, and regulatory operations, supporting evidence-based planning and decision-making to enhance ecosystem resilience and community safety.

Rotation 1 will involve working as part of the team responsible for coordinating and delivering the department's fire ecology program.

You will have the opportunity to work in the field and in the office, supporting management and decision-making on a variety of projects that advance ecosystem values.

This position supports the delivery of high-quality policy, planning and land management, drawing on strong research, analysis and communication skills.

This rotation will focus on:

  • working together to develop and improve decision support tools
  • undertaking research
  • supporting analysis of ecosystem resilience
  • supporting regional teams
  • developing skills in modelling and analysis

Rotation 2 you will contribute to developing a strategic policy to support Victoria's bushfire management policy, which includes integrated strategic planning for forest and fire management, regulatory design, and the identification and removal of barriers to Traditional Owner cultural fire.

Policy development requires collaboration across multiple areas and partnership with Traditional Owners.

The graduate will support priority fire policy development for Forest Fire Management Victoria, likely focusing on planned burning and hazardous trees. A key focus will be the translation of scientific evidence-based into operational policy settings.

This rotation will support the Conservation Regulator in being an effective, trusted, best-practice regulator that delivers outcomes for the community.

This placement will support activities and gain experience across a variety of projects across the Regulator. These rotations will provide you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as an Authorised Officer, should you choose to do so.

Rotation 3 will be region-based and will work with a Regulatory Operations team, supporting Forest and Wildlife Officers with administrative, planning, and execution of compliance work.

This position will include field work and will allow you to utilise the skills and knowledge you have gained in the previous rotations.

Location: flex Melbourne CBD OR Regional/ Melbourne CBD / flex Melbourne CBD or Regional

Support the delivery of statewide forest and emergency management programs, contributing to recreation planning, policy development, and fire ecology initiatives.

Rotation 1 will support the delivery of statewide recreation programs.

The graduate will assist in coordinating regional programs and reporting, as well as in supporting the maintenance of forest recreation information and associated systems.

The graduate will gain experience in state-level planning; application of policy and strategy in program delivery; working with regional and district staff; understanding issues and how to resolve.

Rotation 2 will contribute to DEECAs emergency management policy, coordination, and governance services, and to the emergency management sector, including providing strategic advice and input to shape emergency management policy and whole-of-Victorian Government emergency management reforms.

The graduate will support Emergency management policy development, coordination, and project work, and will gain an understanding of DEECA's emergency management responsibilities and whole-of-government emergency management approaches.

Rotation 3
will involve working as part of the team responsible for coordinating and delivering the department's fire ecology program. You will have the opportunity to work in the field and in the office, supporting management and decision-making on a variety of projects that advance ecosystem values.

This position supports the delivery of high-quality policy, planning and land management, drawing on strong research, analysis and communication skills.

This rotation will focus on:

  • working together to develop and improve decision support tools
  • undertaking research
  • supporting analysis of ecosystem resilience
  • supporting regional teams
  • developing skills in modelling and analysis.

Past position descriptions

Download the previous position descriptions: 2026 DEECA Science Graduate Program - Position summaries (PDF, 669.8 KB)

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Our program will guide you through 2 years of training and development allowing you to progress in your career and move around the state.

Contact us

You can get in contact with us by email at employment.programs@deeca.vic.gov.au

For general DEECA enquiries please phone 136 186

Victorian Government Graduate Program

DEECA also recruit graduates through the Victorian Public Service graduate program.

VPS GRADS is a 12-month learning and development program, where you work in roles across 3 different departments, and return to DEECA and your ongoing position after the program.

Page last updated: 11/06/26