Manager State Building Fire Safety

Purpose of specific work area and position

The Community Infrastructure Branch (CIB) is a centralised branch providing policy and direction to frontline officers working in regions to ensure the services delivered across Queensland are consistently adding value to the community. CIB units operate cohesively through the building life cycle from building design stage through to demolition stage and maintain fire safety for the entire life cycle of every Queensland building.

The Fire Safety section's responsibility is to reduce the risk and cost of fire to the community by ensuring buildings and their occupants, contents and functions are protected by properly implemented and maintained fire safety measures by providing strategic policy and direction to the regions; liaising with other government departments and agencies to improve and develop building legislation; and engaging with various building fire safety industry bodies and groups with the focus of enhancing fire safety in general.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will be primarily responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day functions of the unit, including supporting regional Community Safety Operations, Building Approval Officers (BAO) as they conduct activities associated with the building approval process. This responsibility takes on many forms including developing QFES policy and interpretations, providing practical advice, developing and delivering BAO Courses and representing QFES' Building Fire Safety Unit at external conferences, forums and meetings.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from Fire and Rescue Service operational staff in conjunction with the current generic Inspector role description (see additional information below).

Special requirements
- Continue to fulful the operations management duties/responsibilities of this rank.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and provide good organisational and planning skills.

Primary duties

In addition to the generic Inspector, Fire and Rescue Service role description, the purpose of the Manager, State Building Fire Safety includes but is not limited to:

- Review and implement building fire safety policy and procedures, including the development and delivery of training courses for all BAO's across the state.
- Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of relevant legislation, codes, standards, policies, including review and provide advice on any legislative changes and amendments that may have immediate or future influences on the department.
- Lead and manage team members on matters of content expertise regarding the building approval process and QFES' assessment/inspection advice to support regional BAO's.
- Provide policy and guidance on the QFES building approval process as authorised under the Building Act 1975, the Building Regulation 2021, the Planning Act 2016, the Planning Regulation 2017, the National Construction Code, the Queensland Development Codes and QFES' interpretations and position statements.
- Promote, develop and deliver skills training for BAOs across the state through the monthly technical reference group meetings.
- Represent QFES at industry, community and government working groups, ensuring a positive image of the department, effectively resolve community safety matters and maintain good working relationships with all key stakeholders.
- Provide advice and communicate all building fire safety interpretations and information to internal and external clients relating to building fire safety matters and policy.
- Ensure uniformity throughout all training materials, guidelines and procedures.

Additional information
- This position is open to substantive Inspectors, however suitably qualified Station Officers are encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge and experience in QFES Community Safety Operations and access to the Community Safety Operations System is preferred.
- Knowledge and experience as a qualified Building Approval Officer (Building Fire Safety Level 3 or PUAFIR403 or equivalent) is preferred.
- Knowledge and experience as a Building Approval Officer Level 2 (Graduate Certificate in Performance-Based Building and Fire Codes) is beneficial.
- Incumbent's may be required to travel and work within the area of responsibility e.g. Brisbane Employment Location and may also be required to undertake intrastate and interstate travel.
- This is a day work position, yet may require flexible hours of work to meet functional demands.
- Officers appointed to this position will participate in a personal professional development programme developed in conjunction with their supervisor.
- Have a proven commitment to maintaining competencies and operating in a team environment.