Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Job reference: 861943
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

The Opportunity

PIRSA is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to play a pivotal leadership role in South Australia's H5 Bird Flu Response Program.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Program's planning function, providing strategic direction through the development and implementation of response plans, policies and operational strategies that support emergency preparedness and response activities.

Working within a dynamic program environment, you will provide leadership and oversight of the planning function, ensuring the Program is supported by robust planning processes, intelligence-led decision making and effective resource forecasting. Your work will directly contribute to protecting South Australia's primary industries, supporting animal health outcomes and strengthening the state's emergency response capability.

How You'll Make a Difference

As the Planning Manager, you will:

• Lead and oversee the Program Planning function, ensuring planning activities are aligned with program objectives, strategic priorities and response requirements.
• Provide strategic advice on significant observations, emerging risks, trends and predictions to support informed decision-making and effective program delivery.
• Develop and implement objectives, strategies, risk assessments and operational plans, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Prepare, monitor and review Incident Action Plans (IAPs), supporting plans and Situation Reports (SITREPs) to ensure coordinated and effective response activities.
• Undertake options analysis and evidence-based planning, identifying practical solutions to current and future challenges.
• Forecast and coordinate human and physical resource requirements, ensuring the Program remains responsive and ready to meet operational demands.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with technical experts, scientific communities, industry representatives and key stakeholders to support a coordinated response.

About You

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in planning, policy, emergency management or complex operational environments.
• The ability to think strategically, analyse complex information and identify emerging risks in dynamic and evolving situations.
• Experience developing and implementing plans, policies and strategic initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes.
• Proven capability to translate strategic direction into practical actions and lead programs through complex challenges.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction, build capability and foster high-performing teams.
• Highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions under pressure, balancing competing priorities and risks.
• Experience working within incident management or emergency response environments, with AIIMS knowledge or training highly regarded.

About Us

South Australia is internationally recognised for the quality of its agriculture, food, and wine. Our regions are the backbone of our state and the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for all South Australians.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is a key economic development agency working in partnership with our primary industries, regional stakeholders and across all levels of government to advance the prosperity and sustainability of South Australia’s primary industries and regional communities.

We are a passionate team of around 800 people working across metropolitan and regional South Australia to develop and protect our state’s regions and food, wine, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, grains, livestock, dairy and horticulture industries.

It's no wonder there are so many exciting and diverse career opportunities in our organisation. If you’re ready to join us, apply now!

Benefits

At the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, we offer our employees challenging and rewarding work with:

• Opportunities for career progression, learning and development.
• Flexible work arrangements including compressed week.
• Work from home options.
• A range of leave options, including parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family.
• Access to discounted Fitness Passport memberships across SA.

Our Commitment to Diversity

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.  We embrace diversity and welcome applications from all people, irrespective of culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age.

Special Conditions

• Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Check (NPC) prior to being made an offer of employment.
• 12-month opportunity available.
• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

• Possession of a current driver’s license and willingness to drive.
• Out of hours work and inter / intrastate travel may be required.
• Australian residency or current works permit is required (responsibility of applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit).
• You acknowledge your work, health and safety obligations and our expectations when applying for a role.
• The incumbent will be required to undertake emergency management training and must be willing to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies.
• PIRSA works under the South Australian government’s Protective Security framework. By applying for this role, you consent to obtaining and being screened under the process of a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC).

Remuneration

ASO7 - $116,089 min - $125,490 max per annum, plus superannuation

Enquiries

Kelly Menadue
Manager, Program Evaluation
Phone: 0428 102 314
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.pir.sa.gov.au

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please see the attached applicant instructions, and outline your skills and experience in relation to the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Planning and Organising (Work Management) and Leading and Motivating Others capabilities of the attached role description.

Applicants must include the contact information of at least 2 referees with 1 being your immediate supervisor/manager and a completed “Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector” form.

Applications close: 05/11/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Application Guidelines.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- Role Description - ASO7 Planning Manager - H5 Bird Flu Program - FINAL#2.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.