Scientific Officer

Queensland Fire Department Status: Temporary Full-time Tenure Period: Until 24th October 2025 Possibility Of Extension: Yes Classification: FSINS Salary: $6,160.38 - $6,252.80 per fortnight Division: Capability and State Services Region/Directorate: GREATER BNE REG Work Unit: Scientific Location: Cannon Hill, 4170 Closing Date: Midnight, 7th March 25 Reference No: QLD_QFD_20609_25 Current Queensland Fire Department employees and volunteers must apply via their internal careers site.
About Us: The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire and other emergencies 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.
The QFD is an organisation that is focused on reframing the department's relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through the Path to Treaty, Closing the Gap and building our cultural capability.
Purpose of the Role: The Scientific Branch is a specialist section that provides 24-hour-a-day, 7-day per week response to fire and hazardous materials emergencies and expert advice to QFD, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and other agencies such as the Queensland Police Service (QPS), on the safe management of chemical and other hazardous materials emergencies including Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) incidents.
The Branch staff incorporates one Director Chief Superintendent; seven Scientific Officer Inspectors; four Station Officers; four Firefighters; and a statewide network of volunteer Scientific Officers, drawn from Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services (QPHSS) and other organisations.
The Branch assets include ten response vehicles, including two fire appliances, one staffed 24-7 by two on-shift firefighters.
The Branch also provides expert technical and scientific advice to support research within QFD and partner organisations in the development of policies, programs and activities; such as operational support, regulation/enforcement and specialist training.
Scientific Officers form the professional scientific core of QFD.
This requires a broad scientific knowledge, with particular emphasis on chemical hazards and emergency management of HAZMAT or CBRN incidents.
Scientific Officers are Authorised Fire Officers and participate in 'hot zone' entry operations in protective clothing with other firefighters, working in contaminated environments.
Key Requirements: Mandatory Requirements: Eligible to apply for, or hold a current Blue Card.
Tertiary qualifications (minimum degree level) in Applied Science, Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields majoring in chemistry.
Must be prepared to participate in branch on-call roster.
A medical test to prove aptitude and fitness for this role will be required before appointment.
The objective of the medical test is to prove that the applicant is medically capable of wearing personal protective equipment, such as self contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective suits at a hazardous materials or CBRN incident under the supervision of QFD.
This is a condition of employment.
Minimum C class Driver's Licence (non-restricted).
Highly Desirable Requirements: A higher degree in Applied Science, Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields majoring in chemistry will be very highly regarded.
Your Key Accountabilities: Respond to fires and hazardous materials emergencies to provide expert services and advice on hazardous materials management and HAZMAT/CBRN incident response to QFD, QPS, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and other partner agencies across government.
Participate in a roster to be periodically on-call as a senior Scientific Officer to attend fires and HAZMAT/CBRN emergencies for the Branch.
Contribute to the development of policies, programs and initiatives to support QFD strategic focus on hazardous materials management and HAZMAT/CBRN incident response by undertaking research, analysis, and providing expert advice on complex scientific and technical issues.
Contribute to the enhancement and maintenance of the infrastructure to support the branch.
Actively contribute to the development and delivery of specialised HAZMAT and CBRN training to the QFD, QPS and other partner agencies.
Specific Duties Include Some Or All Of The Following: Operations: Provide on-site expert scientific response services and advice in relation to hazardous materials management and CBRN incident response.
Liaise with Emergency Services, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, local authorities, other government agencies, industry and the public in relation to the emergency.
Apply sophisticated detection, monitoring or sampling equipment and chemical analysis techniques to identify and characterise hazardous materials and CBRN hazards at the emergency.
Don protective equipment/self-contained breathing apparatus in the support of operations such as assessment, detection and sampling within contaminated environments at HAZMAT or CBRN incidents, where required.
Apply and interpret information on chemical hazards using specialised databases, modelling (hazard prediction) programs and other resources.
Operational policy, training, and support: Contribute to and lead research projects that are relevant to the operational and strategic needs of QFD.
Contribute to the development of policies, strategies and programs to support the focus on hazardous materials management, HAZMAT emergency management including response and operational readiness such as procurement acquisition, and management of specialised operational and support equipment.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of administrative systems to support operational readiness through effective application of project planning and management.
Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of specialist HAZMAT/CBRN emergency response training courses to QFD, QPS and other organisations.
General duties: Liaise and effectively manage relationships with other branches and agencies, in particular within QFD, QPS, QAS, Office of Industrial Relations, Queensland Health, industry and the public regarding issues relating to chemical hazards and emergency management.
Research, analyse, communicate and provide expert advice on complex scientific technical issues to enhance the operational preparedness of the Branch and QFD.
Lead and undertake appropriate review, monitoring and improvements of the Branch to ensure the strategy and its outcomes remain focused on supporting the service delivery needs of QFD.
Capabilities: Role: 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 – Program Leader (leading teams and/or projects) 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 To find out more about the behaviours and competencies required for this role, visit Leadership competencies for Queensland | For government | Queensland Government.
Want more information? Please contact Michael Logan, Director Scientific Branch on phone 0407608583 or email You can also visit our website to find out more information about joining our team.
You can also visit the FESSN website for more information about our Psychological and Support Services.
How To Apply: Please refer to the QFD Public Service Application Guide (All PS Classifications/Streams and Senior Officer) for information on how to apply for this role and contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments if required.
Please refer to the QFD Operational Officer Application Guide for information on how to apply for this role.
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