Graduate Profile

Chris Irvine
Fire management officer, NW region, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts (Communications)

“The most enjoyable aspect of my job is working with people who have a shared commitment and passion to manage and protect the state’s natural and cultural heritage.”

As the Parks and Wildlife Fire management officer for the NW region, I coordinate the region’s response to wildfire events, implement the region’s prescribed burning program, provide advice to field staff on fire management issues and deliver fire training to parks personnel.

The natural resource management and communications knowledge gained during my studies at Monash was one of the factors that contributed to my selection for this position. Some of the challenges associated with my job are undertaking the Planning officer roll on Incident Management Teams during wildfire suppression operations, reconciling differing community expectations when making land management decisions and reading the terrain and weather so that prescribed burning operations are successfully completed.The most enjoyable aspect of my job is working with people who have a shared commitment and passion to manage and protect the state’s natural and cultural heritage. A benefit of the position is working in a range of natural environments not always accessible to most people. The major benefits of studying at Monash Gippsland were the accessibility of the academic staff and the open friendly and supportive environment of the campus. Before undertaking my studies at Monash I had no clear vision of my field of endeavour. My current position provides me with a passion and a purpose that continues to excite and intrigue me. I acknowledge my time at Monash as an essential step in the pathway to this point in my life.