Deputy Chief Officer

About us

As an emergency service agency, QFES is responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property across Queensland through the provision of effective prevention, preparation, response and recovery (PPRR) activities across a range of emergency situations.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency management services throughout Queensland. The department encompasses the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES) providing emergency response to Queenslanders.

QFES is currently undergoing a significant reform program which will lead to the department shifting the focus to a fire department with a clear focus on fire prevention, response and control.

Purpose of the role

As a Deputy Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland within QFES you will lead the planning and delivery of rural fire services. Additionally, as a member of the QFD Executive Leadership Team, you will contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation as a whole and drive key organisational priorities.

You will have full responsibility and delegated accountability for all operational and financial aspects of your Rural Fire Service region and will manage all staffing, resources, systems and processes in order to achieve effective and efficient service delivery, in line with QFD's legislative requirements and the needs and expectations of the community.

This position is accountable to the Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service.

Mandatory operational requirements
- rural firefighting experience; or
- rural fire incident control expertise; or
- rural fire prevention expertise.

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:
Financial
- Lead strategic resource planning processes for your region/function and manage the effective delivery of services through best use of the human, financial and capital resources, ensuring government and corporate objectives are met.

Stakeholder and outcome
- Develop strategic partnerships and effective relationships with Local Government, Queensland Police Service, emergency services agencies and other State Government agencies, Commonwealth agencies, non-Government organisations and other organisations including volunteer organisations which contribute to the effectiveness of Queensland's disaster management system.
- Establish and maintain close relationships with unions and associations, local industry and community representatives through regular briefings and attendance at forums to promote QFES and its objectives and provide a proactive, comprehensive and effective service which is aligned to stakeholder needs.
- Provide leadership regarding emerging trends in emergency service delivery and public safety to proactively bring insights into the organisation and identify opportunities to improve QFES service delivery and maximise outcomes for the community.
- Represent the interests of QFES and the state of Queensland effectively at public forums, including national forums, which relate to emergency service delivery.
- Provide leadership and drive performance and accountability throughout your region/function to achieve customer measures.

Internal business
- Command and lead major incidents and disaster management responses with the capacity to undertake the role of Commander Regional Operations or Commander State Operations.
- Command and drive the development of emergency operational plans, effectively lead responses to emergency situations, including statewide or critical emergency situations, to minimise the loss of life and property and the impact on the community.
- Manage emerging industrial relations, human resource and information technology issues in liaison with key stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of QFES' strategic direction and future service planning by developing plans, policies and processes and providing advice and recommendations to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners based on operational knowledge and forecasting within your region/function.
- Head the implementation of the QFES strategic directions to provide localised strategy and operational plans for your region/function and lead the execution of these plans in line with relevant legislation, government policy, corporate direction and contemporary best practice in fire and emergency service delivery.
- Ensure Senior Executives and the Minister are provided with proactive and detailed advice on a broad range of complex fire and emergency management issues

Learning and growth
- Provide leadership in the recognition and action of critical risk: Health, safety and wellbeing of staff
- Administration of finances and assets
- Legislative compliance
- Emergency response and continuity plans
- Provide leadership in the development of strategies th