SCUBA Diving
Coaching junior girls’ soccer, fostering leadership, teamwork, inclusivity, and resilience both on and off the field
Travelling to remote areas in Australia
Offshore Fishing
Spending quality time with Family
Brendan Sullivan
Heathmont
Summary
Passionate and driven leader with a strong record of developing high-performing teams and shaping positive workplace culture. Skilled at building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and all levels of government, demonstrating strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex government and community landscapes. Recognised for professionalism, influence, and effectiveness across diverse areas of work. Deeply committed to leadership, compliance, and the advocacy of First Peoples’ cultural heritage, with a focus on advancing self-determination and inclusion in public land management decision-making.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting District Manager
Parks Victoria
12.2024 - Current
- Development of District Action Plan and ensuring alignment with Corporate and Regional Plans
- Introducing business efficiencies to reduce overheads and provide more available budget for on-ground activities.
- Represent Parks Victoria’s interests at senior local government and State Government ministerial level.
- Provide leadership and direction to Area Chief Rangers regarding priority setting and management of resources.
- Achievements:
- Leading Parks Victoria’s response to Strategic Fuel Break Works as part of Forestry Transition including development of a process for noting Fuel Break Works as part of the District Action Plan and resolving conflict between PV and FFMV regarding management and accountability for environmental impacts. This work protected PV from being included in the recent Supreme Court Action against FFMV
- Influencing the decision to undertake detailed stakeholder consultation prior to reopening of William Ricketts Sanctuary based upon significant risk to the organisation.
- Accountable for delivering the district’s 2024/25 budget, meeting bottom-line targets through strong financial governance and oversight.
Area Chief Ranger
Parks Victoria
01.2015 - Current
- Delivery of key actions and accountabilities identified in the Corporate, Regional and District Action Plans
- Leading teams and ensuring Safe, Clean and Open objectives are prioritised and incorporated into all staff PDPs
- Leading, supporting and actively encouraging a Safety First Culture across the organisation
- Leading Parks Victoria’s management of the Grey Headed Flying Fox Colony at Yarra Bend Park including developing partnerships, resolving conflict between stakeholders, implementing a heat stress response plan and ensuring clear lines of accountability
- Achievements:
- Major cultural reform at Dandenong Valley Parklands work centre through team coaching, the setting of clear and consistent expectations, appropriate performance management and implementation of disciplinary procedures
- Delivery of the Grey Headed Flying Fox irrigation system at Yarra Bend Park as well as leading operational change involving heat stress response
- Delivery of over $25, 000, 000 in Capital improvements to assets within Park Management Area
- Influencing organizational approach to disrespectful and/or abusive stakeholder interactions
Ranger in Charge
Parks Victoria
10.2007 - 01.2015
- Management of EPBC Act Protected Grasslands in accordance with legislation.
- Implementation and management of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Program at Woodlands.
- Emergency Management including preparation of the Fire Operations Plan for Northern Plains and implementation of planned burning program and emergency readiness and response.
- Achievements:
- Development and implementation of a new grasslands burning regime based on a landscape approach rather than traditional small-scale mosaic burning resulting in improved biodiversity and reduced labour costs.
- The successful reintroduction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot into the Back Paddock area of Woodlands Historic Park including negotiating the inclusion of planned burning as part of the program with the Recovery Team as burning has traditionally been excluded from recovery sites.
- Development and successful implementation of the kangaroo management program at Woodlands Historic Park including active participation as the program controller and shoot supervisor.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science - Environmental Management and Environmental Chemistry
Deakin University
01.1994
Skills
- Cert IV Government Investigations
- CIDT 2 – Advanced Authorised Officer
- Operations Officer Level 2 - Validated
- Prescribed Burn Operations Officer – Validated
- Level 1 Incident Controller
- District Duty Officer
- Air Observer – Validated
- Air Attack Supervisor-Validated
Interests
Hobbies and Interests
SCUBA Diving, Coaching junior girls’ soccer, fostering leadership, teamwork, inclusivity, and resilience both on and off the field., Travelling to remote areas in Australia, Offshore Fishing, Spending quality time with Family
Timeline
Acting District Manager
Parks Victoria
12.2024 - Current
Area Chief Ranger
Parks Victoria
01.2015 - Current
Ranger in Charge
Parks Victoria
10.2007 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Applied Science - Environmental Management and Environmental Chemistry
Deakin University