About the Client The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness, and response services across built and natural environments while supporting community safety outcomes. QFD delivers multi-hazard emergency responses, including bushfires, road crash rescue, hazardous materials, vertical and technical rescues, and swiftwater rescue.
QFD encompasses Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), which work together to mitigate and manage emergency impacts. RFSQ is the lead service for bush and grass fire management in Queensland, supported by 300 salaried staff and 27,000 volunteers across 1,400 brigades. QFD is also committed to reframing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the Path to Treaty and Closing the Gap initiatives.
About the Role This executive leadership position reports directly to the Commissioner, QFD. As Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), you will lead the statewide delivery of critical rural fire services, including activities across prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. You will also oversee targeted initiatives to improve operational capabilities and ensure compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
Your role will involve: Strategic Leadership: Provide direction and leadership to achieve effective service delivery through optimal use of human, financial, and capital resources. Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with local governments, volunteer organisations, emergency services, and state and national agencies to enhance disaster management outcomes. Operational Oversight: Manage statewide fire responses, disaster management strategies, and emergency operational plans, ensuring resilience-building activities are prioritised. Volunteer Leadership: Inspire and support the engagement, training, and retention of nearly 27,000 volunteers across 1,400 brigades, fostering strong community connections. Policy and Governance: Guide compliance with legislation and implement organisational reform, focusing on sustainable and effective corporate governance practices. Key to your success will be your ability to lead in high-pressure environments, working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and volunteers to enhance Queensland's resilience to fire and disaster events.
About You You are an experienced and visionary leader with a strong record of success in large, complex organisations. You bring exceptional judgment, adaptability, and the ability to drive change and continuous improvement in challenging and dynamic environments. Your success will hinge on your ability to lead effectively in high-pressure situations, fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders and volunteers to strengthen Queensland's resilience to fire and disaster events. The ideal candidate will possess:
Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop strategic initiatives, aligning operational goals with organisational priorities to deliver effective service outcomes. Operational Expertise: Extensive experience in emergency services, volunteer-based organisations, or rural fire management, with a proven ability to lead large-scale operations during critical incidents. Strong Stakeholder Management: Communication and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and build relationships with government agencies, volunteers, and communities. Commitment to Cultural Inclusivity: Leading initiatives such as the Path to Treaty and Closing the Gap. Exceptional Leadership Skills: A track record of inspiring and developing teams, fostering a high-performance culture, and navigating complex organisational change. Compliance and Governance: Ability to implement compliance and governance across financial management and resource allocation to meet organisational objectives. While there are no mandatory qualifications for this role, relevant expertise in rural firefighting, fire prevention, or incident control will be highly regarded. QFD also values leaders who model work-life balance principles and promote an inclusive, innovative, and secure workplace culture.
Applications close: Midnight, Friday, 10th January 2025
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