Public Information Support Officer

About us

As a department our purpose is to help the community to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency management programs and services throughout Queensland. The department encompasses the Fire and Rescue Service, disaster management services, the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service, and also supports other volunteer groups providing emergency response to Queenslanders.

QFES is one department with many services, many capabilities and many partners.

Purpose of role

The Public Information and Warnings unit provides strategic and operational response oversight of the public information capability to ensure operational planning and readiness at the state, regional and local levels. The team works in conjunction with other teams across the department and external stakeholders, responsible for elements of public information to ensure Queensland communities receive timely, accurate and relevant information during incidents and disasters, to ensure the safety of the community and effective incident management.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the capability development of the public information function and the delivery of timely and quality incident-based information, including warnings, on behalf of QFES. You will be required to assist with administrative functions, public information systems and publishing platforms, issuing community warnings and other critical public information, and continuous improvement initiatives. You will also support the delivery of public information and warnings training to enhance community safety and operational capabilities.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements
- Minimum C Class Driver's Licence (non-restricted).
- Experience and/or qualifications in communication or public relations roles.

Special requirements
- Participate in a 24 hour, 7 days a week roster as required.
- Deployment at short notice in response to QFES operations during major incidents, emergencies and disasters if required.

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:

- Assist with the ongoing development of the public information and warnings function, including participating in planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Create and issue bushfire warnings and other critical public information during a range of incidents, emergencies and disasters, and provide support to personnel responsible for public information.
- Coordinate office systems, processes and other tools, including public information publishing platforms.
- Assist with the development and improvement of procedures and systems used to deliver effective public information.
- Undertake research, analysis of systems and public information platforms and provide advice to support business and operational decision making processes.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including operational personnel to support public information functions.
- Assist in the preparation and review of briefings, reports and submissions relating to public information during a range of incidents, emergencies and disasters in accordance with departmental requirements.
- Support implementation of statewide capability enhancement plans, and public information and warnings training to ensure a consistent approach to providing information and service delivery.

Capabilities

To determine your suitability for the role, you will be assessed on the following Leadership Competencies for Queensland behavioural profiles that link to the "key accountabilities" for this role:
Leadership Competency Stream - Individual Contributor (leading self)

Vision
- Stimulates ideas and innovation
- Makes insightful decisions

Results
- Builds enduring relationships
- Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability
- Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
- Demonstrates sound governance

Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFES shared values:

- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
- Loyalty
- TrustThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.