Senior Regional Disaster Welfare Officer

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Regional Disaster Welfare

Location - Western NSW/ New England Region

Employment type - Ongoing

Salary - GR 9/10 $129, $142,665.00 plus superannuation

Your role

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is the lead agency in the Communities and Justice Portfolio. Communities and Justice aims to achieve a safe, just, and inclusive New South Wales (NSW) by operating an effective legal system; increasing access to social and affordable housing; protecting children and families; addressing domestic and family violence; promoting public safety; reducing reoffending; and supporting community harmony and social cohesion.

Reporting to the State WelFAC, work regionally in support of District WelFACs to develop and maintain capability (readiness and sustainability) for Disaster Welfare.

Take a lead role in regional operations, in particular in the management of evacuation centres. Support the coordination of welfare services to communities in partnership with local governments, joint partners, not-for-profit and industry stakeholders that align with whole of government strategies and initiatives and meet the immediate and longer-term needs of NSW communities.

What you'll do

You will contribute to the implementation of local and regional disaster welfare programs and initiatives that align with the State Disaster Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan, including the delivery of training, exercises and local resilience building initiatives.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Take a lead role in support of the district WelFAC in terms of forecasting and managing operational deployments, and the management of evacuation centres.
• Represent Disaster Welfare at relevant Regional and Local committees and forums.
• Coordinate aspects of projects and implementation, including developing and monitoring project plans and briefs and coordinating inputs and resources to ensure project milestones are met
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders with often competing priorities to enlist commitment to specific strategies
• Maintain accurate knowledge of the operational policy, planning and legislative frameworks that the Disaster Welfare Functional Area operates within.
• During operations, will be required to work for significant periods including as a Liaison Officer to the State Emergency Operations Centre.

What we are looking for

• Experience contributing to large scale operational projects and integration within the community
• Demonstrated experience working with varied stakeholder groups and the ability to negotiate suitable outcomes
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary emergency management concepts and principles
• Tertiary qualifications in emergency management and/or demonstrated experience in emergency management, disaster welfare or operational decision making.
• An ability and willingness to travel frequently within NSW and support other operational roles during disasters, emergencies and other events, consistent with skills, background and personal circumstances

Download the role description.

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To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• Question One - In 500 words or less, please outline your experience with DCJ or another agency (paid or voluntary) of supporting the community during an emergency event. What was your role and how did you contribute to positive outcomes for community members affected by the disaster?
• Question Two - In 500 words or less, please tell us about any experience or skills you have that help you provide inclusive services to people from Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, people with disabilities, or others who may need extra support. In your response, please include how you manage your own wellbeing and workload, and how you respond to unrealistic or demanding expectations while maintaining respectful and inclusive service delivery.

Applications close Sunday 2 November at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Christine on or at

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Katie Hardy on or via

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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The careers site currently promotes this service on the 'Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.

Profile description:

Take a lead role in regional operations, in particular in the management of evacuation centres. Support the coordination of welfare services to communities in partnership with local governments, joint partners, not-for-profit and industry stakeholders that align with whole of government strategies and initiatives and meet the immediate and longer-term needs of NSW communities.

We offer:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.