Employee Relations Advisor

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 Industrial and Employee Relations Branch has three specialist areas, Industrial Relations; Employee Relations; and Discipline. The Branch covers matters such as advocacy and tribunal representation, enterprise bargaining, policy development, legislation, consultative committees, advice and assistance, mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, tribunal representation, discipline and suspension. The Employee Relations Unit provides advice, representation, and advocacy on behalf of QFD and performs traditional industrial relations functions such as negotiations and consultation with unions, advocacy before industrial tribunals, and negotiation and administration of industrial instruments, including awards and certified agreements.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will be a key member of the team assisting in the delivery of administrative functions and project support for various program of works to support employee and industrial relations functions, including awards and certified agreements for QFD's employee groups. You will liaise with key internal and external stakeholders, including union representatives through the provision of agency consultative committees and enterprise bargaining secretariat coordination. You will assist in mediation and conflict coaching and provide information and advice relating to workplace conduct and behaviour issues and industrial relations initiatives to ensure governance and compliance with legislative standards.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements
- Experience in industrial and/or employee relations or human resources, or related roles.
- Ability to assist in effectively resolving employee disputes and grievances.
- Knowledge and understanding of workplace relations legislation and modern award interpretation will be highly regarded.

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:

- Provide timely advice, coaching and support to staff and volunteers relating to industrial instruments to ensure QFD meets compliance obligations regarding industrial relations legislation.
- Research and analyse industrial instruments and prepare advice, including publishing updates on the intranet regarding policy, directives and legislation to provide recommendation for improvement and ensure quality service delivery.
- Provide administration support and participate in projects and working groups, including maintenance of records and tasks to ensure outcomes are delivered within agreed timeframes and meet business and client's needs.
- Assist with the development, review and implementation, including quality assurance and interpretation of employee and industrial relations policy, procedures and processes, to ensure best practice and compliance with legislative requirements.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote and monitor contemporary employee and industrial relations matters, regulations and standards, and ensure positive outcomes.
- Prepare and review well researched reports, briefs, submissions and correspondence relating to industrial instruments and/or complex issues, in accordance with departmental and governance requirements.
- Provide and/or assist with secretariat and logistics support to committees including the consultative committees and where required, the bargaining committee and other working groups by preparing agendas, recording and circulation of minutes and follow up on actions and decisions.
- Assist and/or conduct initial engagement in conflict/grievance matters and assist with mediation meetings as required.

Capabilities

To determine your suitability for the role, you will be assessed on the following Leadership Competencies for Queensla