Principal Category Officer [Radio Communications] - SES Fleet and Equipment

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

One QFES. Many Services, Many Capabilities, Many Partners

Status: Permanent Flexible Full-time 

Classification: AO7

Salary: $122,925.00 - $131,631.00 per annum

Division: State Emergency Service

Region/Directorate: STATE EM SRV

Work Unit: SES State Coordination

Location: Kedron

Closing Date: Midnight 28 April 2024

Reference No: QLD_QFES_19732_24

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

Please note this position will be transitioning to Queensland Police Service (QPS) as part of a Machinery of Government Change prior to 30 June 2024, with the State Emergency Services (SES) due to become an entity of the QPS. As part of this transition, you will be required to undergo QPS vetting in accordance with the Police Service Administration Act 1990.

As 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 (SES), and also supports other volunteer groups providing emergency response to Queenslanders. 

Please note: This position will be transitioning to Queensland Police Service (QPS) as part of a Machinery of Government Change prior to 30 June 2024, with the SES due to become an entity of the QPS. As part of this transition, you will be required to undergo QPS vetting in accordance with the Police Service Administration Act 1990.

The SES Resourcing Unit is responsible for leading the research, development, provision, procurement, contracts, administration, delivery, maintenance and compliance of all SES Uniforms, Personal Protective Environment (PPE), Fleet, Radio Communicationsand Equipment for the SES Volunteers and Staff. The Fleet and Equipment team is responsible for the full lifecycle management and best practice approach to ensure all assets and Equipment are managed and maintained to meet operational capability and organisational objective in the complex environment in which they are deployed and utilised.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will lead the Radio Communications category, maintaining well developed understanding of current and future communication platforms within SES and partner agencies. You will be responsible for ensuring Radio Communications equipment meet the needs of SES staff and volunteers. You will provide strategic advice, maintaining awareness of emerging trends, and undertake forward planning to ensure all ongoing strategies align with the SES strategic objectives and continue to provide value and meet the needs of the SES workforce.

Highly desirable requirements

• Knowledge and experience and/or qualifications in project management methodologies. 
• Sound knowledge of supply chain management techniques and contract management principles.
• Queensland Government Procurement (Level 2 certification).
   Special requirements
• The incumbent will be appointed as a staff member of the SES and the hours of duty applicable to this role are pursuant to the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015: specifically, the spread of ordinary hours for SES staff are 0600 to 2200, Monday to Sunday.
• Capacity to work on night and/or weekend to suite an SES volunteer environment.
• It is expected the incumbent will participate in an out-of-hours on-call roster during emergency operations. This may require work outside of normal hours (e.g. night shift), including weekends, working extended hours and may include travel to rural and remote communities, intrastate or interstate travel as necessary and/or deployment activities to other parts of the state. 

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

• Lead and manage the development and implementation of Radio Communications equipment and new technologies to support integrated and interoperable communications strategies that achieve high-level performance and continuous improvement.
• Develop, implement, and maintain plans, based on research and analysis, that drive value for money, encourage opportunity for innovation and meet service delivery requirements.
• Undertake research and analysis of network usage, emerging technologies, operational objectives, and communications best-practice in the development of communications strategies and to guide evidence-based investment decisions. 
• Manage sourcing initiatives including contracts, negotiations, and performance reviews of suppliers, ensuring governance processes are in line with contract terms and conditions.
• Liaise, consult, and negotiate with key stakeholders, clients, and vendors to ensure appropriate solutions and procurement are responsive to current and future needs for the delivery and monitoring of agreed outcomes. 
• Provide professional and technical advice to stakeholders and senior management on all aspects within the operational Radio Communications category to ensure effective decision-making.
• Prepare, evaluate, and review high-level correspondence, reports, submissions, and communication on a range of complex and confidential issues and opportunities in accordance with departmental requirements. 
• Represent and promote the interests of SES operational communications at internal and external meetings and forums and negotiate agreed outcomes as required.

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

• Leads change in complex environment
• Makes insightful decisions

Results

• Builds enduring relationships
• Drive 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
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty

Want more information?  

Please contact Gerard Balmanno, Executive Manager - SES Resourcing on phone 0499 831 *** or email ***************@qfes.qld.gov.au.

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

How to apply

Please refer to the QFES Public Service Application Guide [All PS Classifications/Streams and Senior Officer] for information on how to apply for this role.