Deputy Chief Officer (Ses3L) Rural Fire Service

As an emergency service agency, QFES is responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property across Queensland through the provision of effective prevention, preparation, response and recovery (PPRR) activities across a range of emergency situations. 

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency management services throughout Queensland. The department encompasses the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES) providing emergency response to Queenslanders. 

QFES is currently undergoing a significant reform program which will lead to the department shifting the focus to a fire department with a clear focus on fire prevention, response and control.

As a Deputy Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland within QFES you will lead the planning and delivery of Rural Fire Services. Additionally, as a member of the QFD Executive 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 Rural Fire Service 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, Rural Fire Service.

Mandatory operational requirements

• Rural Firefighting experience; or
• Rural Fire incident control expertise; or
• Rural Fire prevention expertise.

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/function 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 QFES 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 QFES service delivery and maximise outcomes for the community.
• Represent the interests of QFES and the state of Queensland effectively at public forums, including national forums, which relate to emergency service delivery.
• Provide leadership and drive performance and accountability throughout your region/function to achieve customer measures. 

• Command and lead major incidents and disaster management responses with the capacity to undertake the role of Commander Regional Operations or Commander State Operations.
• 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 QFES’ strategic direction and future service planning by developing plans, policies and processes and providing advice and recommendations to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners based on operational knowledge and forecasting within your region/function.
• Head the implementation of the QFES strategic directions to provide 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 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
• Provide leadership in the development of strategies that support organisational and cultural change across QFES which keeps QFES 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 in order to support the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases in an all-hazards environment whilst contributing to the broader objective of improving community resilience.
• Lead the development and effective utilisation of QFES’ large and diverse volunteer workforce through effective leadership, training, performance management and workforce planning.
• Provide high level advice to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners 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 QFES’ 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 QFES approach.

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, Rural Fire Service Queensland 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 QFES. 

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. 
QFES 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 QFES shared values:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty