Deputy Chief Officer - Strategic Capability

About us

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire in the built and landscape environments, as well as scientific and specialist capabilities to Queensland communities. The QFD provides a multi-hazard emergency response, including road crash rescue, bushfire, hazardous material, technical and vertical rescue, severe weather incidents, remote and swiftwater rescue, and provides a number of functions supporting community safety outcomes.

The department encompasses Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), as well as the broader department which work together to pre-empt, prevent, mitigate and manage the consequences of fires and other emergencies on Queensland communities and support our large volunteer membership across the state.

RFSQ is the lead service for the control and prevention of bush and grass fires in Queensland and is proudly one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in Queensland.  The service is supported by 300 salaried staff and 27,500 volunteer members across 1,400 rural fire brigades who have deep connections with Queensland communities.

QFD is an organisation that is committed to reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through activities identified in the QFD Reframing the Relationship Plan, contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes and building our cultural capability.

Purpose of the role

As a Deputy Chief Officer, RFSQ you will lead the planning and delivery of rural fire services. Additionally, as a member of the QFD Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation as a whole and drive key organisational priorities.

You will have full responsibility and delegated accountability for all operational and financial aspects of your RFSQ Region and will manage all staffing, resources, systems and processes in order to achieve effective and efficient service delivery, in line with QFD’s legislative requirements and the needs and expectations of the community.

This position is accountable to the Chief Officer, RFSQ.

Mandatory operational requirements

• rural firefighting experience; or


• rural fire incident control expertise; or


• rural fire prevention expertise.

Your key accountabilities

Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in supporting key frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work, including, but not limited to:

Financial

• Lead strategic resource planning processes for your region/division and manage the effective delivery of services through best use of the human, financial and capital resources, ensuring government and corporate objectives are met.

Stakeholder and outcome

• Develop strategic partnerships and effective relationships with Local Government, Queensland Police Service, emergency services agencies and other State Government agencies, Commonwealth agencies, non-Government organisations and other organisations including volunteer organisations which contribute to the effectiveness of Queensland’s disaster management system.


• Establish and maintain close relationships with unions and associations, local industry and community representatives through regular briefings and attendance at forums to promote QFD and its objectives and provide a proactive, comprehensive and effective service which is aligned to stakeholder needs.


• Provide leadership regarding emerging trends in emergency service delivery and public safety to proactively bring insights into the organisation and identify opportunities to improve QFD service delivery and maximise outcomes for the community.


• Represent the interests of QFD and the state of Queensland effectively at public forums, including national forums, which relate to fire and emergency service delivery.


• Provide leadership and drive performance and accountability throughout your region/function to achieve customer measures.

Internal business

• Command and lead major fire and disaster management responses with the ability to undertake the role of Regional Fire Controller or State Fire Controller.


• Command and drive the development of emergency operational plans, effectively lead responses to emergency situations, including statewide or critical emergency situations, to minimise the loss of life and property and the impact on the community.


• Manage emerging industrial relations, human resource and information technology issues in liaison with key stakeholders.


• Contribute to the development of RFSQ strategic direction and future service planning by developing plans, policies and processes and providing advice and recommendations to the Chief Officer RFSQ based on operational knowledge and forecasting within your region/division.


• Head the implementation of the RFSQ strategic directions through the development of localised strategy and operational plans for your region/function and lead the execution of these plans in line with relevant legislation, government policy, corporate direction and contemporary best practice in fire and emergency service delivery.


• Ensure QFD Senior Executives and the Minister are provided with proactive and detailed advice on a broad range of complex fire and emergency management issues

Learning and growth

• Provide leadership in the recognition and action of critical risk:
  
  
  
  • Health, safety and wellbeing of staff
  
  
  • Administration of finances and assets
  
  
  • Legislative compliance
  
  
  • Emergency response and continuity plans
  
  
  
  


• Lead the development and effective utilisation of the large and diverse RFSQ volunteer workforce through effective recruitment, retention, training and engagement.


• Provide leadership in the development of strategies that support organisational and cultural change across RFSQ which keeps QFD and Queensland Government values and the needs of the community at the core of its operations and all decision making in an environment of competing priorities.


• Ensure a highly trained, capable and effective workforce to support the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases in an all-hazards environment whilst contributing to the broader objective of improving community resilience.


• Provide high level advice to the Chief Officer RFSQ by monitoring and regularly evaluating, performance and capability to enable a planned approach to continuous improvement and through training and other activities which are aligned to QFD’s obligations under the relevant Acts.


• Manage the implementation of broader government reform agendas and department commitments within your region/function in alignment with the whole-of QFD approach.

Capabilities

Basic for selection

The position requires a person who will take personal responsibility for serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of Queenslanders. As Deputy Chief Officer, RFSQ you will work towards a system of world class service delivery and public sector management.

You will be a member of a flexible, mobile leadership team with the ability to transfer your skills between regions and functions to have an impact across RFSQ and QFD. 

You will have extensive experience across the public, private and/or not for profit sector with a strong track record of operational leadership, strategy implementation and service improvement in a large and complex organisation and demonstrated contribution to strategy and policy development.

You will have rural firefighting experience, or rural incident control expertise, or rural fire prevention expertise. 

QFD actively encourages productive working relationships, a healthy work-life balance, workplace diversity and innovation. As such you will be committed to implementing a safe, healthy and secure workplace, and flexible work and lifestyle options. You will be expected to embed quality of life principles into your working life and role model behaviours that demonstrate a work-life balance.

To determine your suitability for the role, you will be assessed on the following Leadership Competencies for Queensland behavioural profiles that link to the “key accountabilities” for this role:

Leadership Competency Stream – Executive (leading the function)

Vision

• Leads strategically


• Stimulates ideas and innovation


• Leads change in complex environments


• Makes insightful decisions
  

   

  
  

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent


• Builds enduring relationships


• Inspires others


• Drives accountability and outcomes
  

   

  
  

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces


• Pursues continuous growth


• Demonstrates sound governance

Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFD shared values:

• Respect


• Integrity


• Trust


• Courage


• Loyalty