Manager [bushfire Regulatory Compliance] (Fsins)

Purpose of specific work area and position

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.

Primary duties

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.

Additional information
- 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 req