Director Command Safety

The Role

As the Director Command Safety your primary function is the implementation of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), inclusive of Youth Safety and Protection, and policy oversight within the AAC. Your highest priority is ensuring the organisation operates within the Defence Youth Safety Framework, which is a direct consequence of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Key responsibilities of the Director Command Safety include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of safety related strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders, both internal and external to the AAC and Defence;
• Responsible for the management and execution of WHS and Defence Youth Safety Framework outcomes, including the development of AAC, Army and Defence Work Health and Youth Safety and Protection Policy;
• Provide technical safety oversight for all National and Regional cadet activities;
• Coordinate with National/State/Territory Government bodies and institutions; Defence Safety agencies; Reserve Cadet Support Division; RAAF and RAN Cadet organisations; in order to ensure relevant, up to date and common safety practices are maintained across the AAC and wider Defence;
• Contribute to Army and Defence strategic planning and policy development, implement initiatives and provide reporting to National/State/Territory and Defence organisations;
• Undertake, coordinate or review investigations into safety incidents that occur within the This can include working with Comcare, State and Territory, Defence safety organisations, legal teams and emergency services;
• The position requires a composed, well-organised individual, who can manage conflicting priorities and deadlines, and a diverse team in a high tempo rapidly changing work environment;
• Is the senior APS Officer within the AAC, and as such, is responsible for mentoring and the provision of advice in regards to all matters concerning APS management.

Workplace Environment:

• Computer Use;
• Sitting at desk;
• Frequent travel - Vehicle;
• Frequent travel - Aeroplane.

The position is located at Headquarters Australian Army Cadets, Brindabella Park Offices, Canberra and cannot be performed remotely from this location.

Time worked outside of core hours will be compensated through time in lieu in accordance with the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement.

Travel will include work in an outdoor/field environment to assess compliance with WHS and the Defence Youth Safety Framework.

About our Team

The Australian Army Cadets is an Army youth development organisation, consisting of military, APS, adult volunteers and cadet youth. The organisation has 21,000 personnel, including 19,000 cadet youth, and is geographically dispersed across the Nation under a National and nine Regional Headquarters. The core element of the AAC is our adult volunteers, who are our front line staff directly responsible for the safe delivery of the Army cadet program in accordance with direction from Headquarters AAC, and within the Defence Youth Safety Framework.

The Command Safety Branch consists of the EL 2 Command Safety Director, an EL 1 Safety Manager and an Army Reserve Safety and Compliance Officer. The Branch provides technical advice to the nine Regional Formation Safety Advisers, to ensure that the Army Cadet Program is delivered in accordance with mandated Workplace Health & Safety, and Youth Safe Protection legislation and policy. The Branch also has oversight of AAC policy development, which is led by an APS 6 Policy Officer.

The Branch engages with Senior Executives, National/State/Territory Government bodies and institutions; Defence Safety agencies; Reserve Cadet Support Division; RAAF and RAN Cadet organisations; in order to ensure relevant, up to date and common safety practices are maintained across the AAC and wider Defence.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate must have practical working knowledge and experience of Commonwealth, Defence, Army WHS Regulations and Policies, Youth Safety and Protection requirements and working with youth, in a youth development program. This is to ensure that the AAC program meets all safety and working with youth legal responsibilities. Additionally, the candidate must have a demonstrated ability to deliver youth safety and protection outcomes in a geographically and culturally diverse, predominantly volunteer based youth development organisation.

Our ideal candidate must be a strong communicator (written and verbal) and critical thinker who can analyse and solve complex problems to:

• Provide the Senior Executive (HQ AAC, Army and Defence) with options;
• Write business submissions, reports, briefs and ministerials;
• Influence change; and
• Develop and maintain working relationships, all within a highly geographically and demographically dispersed youth development organisation.

The candidate must be able to:

• Manage complex conflicting workloads;
• Adapt to change;
• Analyse critical safety related information;
• Meet deadlines and achieve results.

They will be a strong team leader, committed to the ongoing development and professionalisation of all AAC staff and cadet youth, and have a sound understanding of the Australian Army Cadet youth development program.

Our position offers the right applicant exposure to executive strategic planning and implementation, engagement with Senior Leaders and the opportunity to build on their career.

Application Closing Date: Monday 20 October 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ARMY/07946/25 on