AddressAs a department our purpose is to help the community to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency management programs and services throughout Queensland. The department encompasses the Fire and Rescue Service, disaster management services, the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service, and also supports other volunteer groups providing emergency response to Queenslanders.
The Conduct and Discipline Branch strives to ensure QFES staff and volunteers uphold the highest levels of professional and ethical standards as is expected of the Queensland Government and the community. The branch achieves this through the management of complex complaints, investigations, and Discipline processes in line with departmental obligations and legislative requirements under the Human Rights Act, the Industrial Relations Act, and related policies and directives.
Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will provide expert advice on complex grievances, discipline and suspensions (including BlueCard default) related to performance and conduct matters, including but not limited to the resolution at the workplace level without the need to resort to formal proceedings or litigation, external reviews and appeals, and representation of the department at hearings in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) and other forums to facilitate appropriate outcomes. Through this you will contribute to the review and development of workplace relations strategies and ensure the delivery of due process and natural justice in individual staff and volunteer matters.
Highly desirable requirements
- Knowledge and/or experience in interpreting relevant legislation, public sector directives, industrial instruments, managing grievances and disputes in state jurisdiction.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, public service, human resources, industrial and/or employee relations will be highly regarded.
Your part in our vision, will see you lead by example and model QFES values and behaviour’s, while you (non-exhaustive list):
- Provide expert advice on high-level dispute resolution, contemporary industrial relations, and strategic employment relations frameworks including compliance with whole-of-government legislation and directives to achieve business objectives.
- Assist with Case Management of staff and volunteer matters to facilitate and/or resolve grievances and disputes, and where necessary temporarily or permanently exclude from the workplace, through the legislative instruments applicable to suspension, discipline or Working with Children.
- Interpret legislation, policies and associated industrial instruments, including appropriate referral and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders to receive delegate or legal advice related to the management at the workplace level or by independent review and reporting.
- Represent the department in meetings, forums and networking groups responsible for reviewing legislation and directives, and/or enhancing right of reply best practice in the Queensland Public Sector.
- Prepare and review complex reporting, briefs, submissions and correspondence for individual case-based, discipline or exclusion from the workplace in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
- Appear as an industrial advocate and/or provide instructions to other officers at conferences and/or hearings related to disciplinary, stop bullying or individual fair treatment appeals against QFES in the QIRC and other tribunals to achieve positive outcomes.
- Identify risks and provide high-level advice to a range of stakeholders to support the resolution of issues to avoid adverse decisions and findings detrimental to the department.
- Interpret, apply and maintain current professional knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, procedures and industry practices to ensure the department complies with industrial relations and workplace related legislation.
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 – Individual Contributor (leading self)
Vision
- Stimulates ideas and innovation
- Makes insightful decisions
Results
- Builds enduring relationships
- Drives accountability and outcomes
Accountability
- Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
- Demonstrates sound governance
Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFES shared values:
- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
- Loyalty
- Trust
