Media Officer

About us

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire 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 QFD Media unit delivers proactive and reactive media and social media management to ensure the community receives timely and accurate public safety information 24/7, 365 days a year. In addition, the team provides support to the Minister's office, counsel on issues and reputation management, and develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders (including the media) on behalf of the department.

Reporting to the Media Supervisor, you will be a key member of the team responsible for delivering the media team's core media and social media services, including liaising with external media organisations, issuing critical public information, promoting key QFD safety campaigns and delivering media training to meet organisation requirements.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements
- Minimum C Class Driver's Licence (non-restricted).
- Qualifications, and at least three years' experience, in communications, public relations or journalism within a reactive and fast-paced environment.

Special requirements
- Participate in the media team's 24 hour, 7 days a week on-call media roster.
- Be deployed at short notice, as part of media's response to QFD operations during major incidents, emergencies and disasters.

Your key accountabilities

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:

- Assist with the preparation of a range of written material for external publication, including media releases, key messages, speeches and articles to support operations and capability.
- Respond to frequent media and social media enquiries and liaise with the media and its representatives to provide accurate and timely information.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of media and social media campaigns to promote QFD's key public safety messages.
- Assist in the delivery of media training to operational staff and volunteers to enhance QFD's public information capability.
- Monitor, moderate and generate engaging content for the departments social media platforms.
- Provide media and social media services during major incidents, emergencies and disasters, from the scene or at disaster coordination centres to inform communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.
- Liaise and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for media and social promotion.

Capabilities

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
- Makes insightful decisions

Results
- Builds enduring relationships
- Inspires others
- Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability
- Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
- Pursues continuous growth

Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFD shared values of:

- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Courage
- Loyalty
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