Manager [Bushfire Regulatory Compliance] (FSINS) Regional Operations

Status: Permanent Full-time

Classification: FSINS

Salary: $156,035.15 - $158,375.83 per annum  

Work Unit: Rural Fire Service

Location: Rockhampton, Townsville, Toowoomba, Ipswich.

Closing Date: Midnight, 10 July 2024

Reference No: QFES/19923/24

Current QFES employees and volunteers must apply via their internal careers site

There are four regions within the Rural Fire Service (RFS), and the Regional Operations Branch coordinates and supports Districts, focusing on the translation of organisational strategy into actionable business strategy. The Regions serve as escalation points for operational issues, foster collaboration with partner organisations, and focus on staff support and development. The Regions have a key role in implementing strategic plans, resource allocation, and enhancing emergency response capabilities. 

Reporting to the Executive Manager Regional Operations, you will be responsible for managing the strategic direction, development, implementation and evaluation of post-incident bushfire investigation, compliance, and prosecution program across the region. You will coordinate capacity and capability for bushfire investigation, compliance, and prosecution, as well as ensuring administrative obligations, such as the compilation of fire investigation reports and infringements, are handled in a timely and effective manner. 

The role has strong linkages with the Bushfire Resilience and Operational Support Branch and the Bushfire Mitigation functions within Districts, and will work closely with other district, and regional stakeholders, including volunteers to plan, implement and evaluate region-wide, department-wide, and enterprise-wide programs and initiatives.

Mandatory requirements

• Must meet the mandatory requirements and attributes as outlined in the generic Rural Fire Service Inspector role description.

Highly desirable requirements

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders from rural and remote communities.

Special requirements

• Maintain and communicate a contemporary understanding of applicable bushfire regulation laws, codes, and policies, and provide input into the development of organisational bushfire investigation and compliance frameworks. 

Location

This is a state-wide process with multiple vacancies across Queensland. Vacancies could be available in the following locations:

• Rockhampton
• Townsville
• Toowoomba
• Ipswich

During the recruitment process, you will be asked to provide your location preferences. Not all locations may be currently available. Please note, this recruitment process may be used to fill vacancies that emerge at these locations for the next 12 months.

In addition to the generic Inspector, Rural Fire Service role description, the primary duties of Manager [Bushfire Regulatory Compliance] include but are not limited to:

• Lead the undertaking of bushfire investigations in the region, in accordance with organisational frameworks, legal requirements and industry standards, to ascertain the cause of origin of bushfires and contribute to post-analysis debriefs, in a detailed and timely manner.
• Lead and manage the issuing of enforcement notices for unplanned burns in the region, working collaboratively with and leveraging the experience of Bushfire Mitigation teams in the districts to manage patterns of non-compliance and suspicious fire activities.
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations to contribute to enhancements of initiatives and programs related to Bushfire Regulatory Compliance, including the Permit to Light Fire system, Fire Investigation framework, emerging technologies, bushfire safety trends, and legislative changes.
• Provide leadership, training and mentoring to staff across the region on bushfire investigation and compliance, including cause determination, bushfire safety compliance, enforcement processes, and evidence presentation.
• Support management of the Fire Warden network, through provision of expert advice on bushfire regulations and legislation, to enhance capability.
• Support Bushfire Mitigation teams in the districts with mitigation activities, including support with development of mitigation plans and coordination of bushfire committees; assistance with planning and execution of complex hazard reduction burns; and coordination of community safety initiatives relating to bushfire regulations
• Foster productive working relationships with government agencies for collaborative investigations, information sharing and skills development.
• Represent the department in legal proceedings, committees and taskforces, ensuring professional and impartial presentation of evidence.

• Be able to meet the attributes of the generic Inspector, Rural Fire Service (RFS) role description. 
• Rural Officer Two (RFSO2) or applicants with equivalent industry experience, appropriate skills, knowledge, are encouraged to apply.
• Volunteers and external parties with appropriate skills are highly encouraged to apply, noting that they may be asked to provide additional information to satisfy internal policies. 
• Have a proven commitment to maintaining bushfire competencies and operating in a regional team environment. 
• Incumbents may be required to travel and work within their area of responsibility and may also be required to undertake intrastate and/or interstate deployment and travel. 
• This is a day work position yet may require flexible hours of work to meet functional demands, including working at night on weekends as part of the role. 
• Incumbents appointed to this position will participate in a personal professional development programme developed in conjunction with their supervisor. 
• Incumbents must have proven commitment to maintaining competencies and operating in a team environment. 
• Those appointed to a role within the QDMA (Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements) framework will undertake appropriate regularly training, to maintain your role within RFS as a member of any QDMA appointed position. 
• This Role Specification Statement (RSS) is linked to the generic role description, that provides the ‘key accountabilities’ and ‘capabilities’ to be addressed by the applicant. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review this RSS in conjunction with the role description and consider the requirements when preparing their application. 

 Want more information?  

Please contact Wayne Waltisbuhl, Assistant Chief Officer on phone 07 45925*** or email ***************@qfes.qld.gov.au.

You can also visit our website to find out more about our organisation.

You can also refer to the PS Senior Officers - Employment Conditions for additional information.

How to apply

The RFSQ Inspector Statement of Suitability MUST be used in this process and submitted with your application in Nexus.

The Inspector (FSINS) Role Description outlines how your application and performance will be assessed in this role.

Please refer to the QFES Operational Officer (Statewide) Application Guide for further information on how to apply for this role.