About Us

As an emergency service agency, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property across Queensland through the provision of effective prevention, preparation, response and recovery activities across a range of emergency situations.

Comprising the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES), QFES also supports other volunteer groups providing emergency response to Queenslanders.

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

The functions of the QFES are unique. It is the only entity in Australia that delivers high quality fire, rescue, emergency and disaster management services through a single agency. This collaborative approach across the service and with key stakeholders delivers improved safety outcomes for the community.

Purpose of the Role

• Protect and serve the community by responding to fires and other emergencies in a professional and timely manner to minimise loss to life, property and the environment.
• Improve the safety and emergency preparedness of the community by contributing to fire prevention and community education activities.

Mandatory Requirements

Applicants wishing to be appointed to a position at the rank of Chief Superintendent must provide evidence of or successfully completed the following:

• Eligible to apply for, or hold a current Blue Card;
• Manual Medium Rigid (MRV) driver’s license as recognised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads; and

QFES Applicants

• Have successfully completed all the requirements for Station Officer Level 3 qualifications (or equivalent) and maintained the operational competencies appropriate to the rank of Inspector within the Fire and Rescue Service of the QFES; or
• Currently hold the rank of Inspector or above;

External Applicants

• Consideration of external applications will be at the discretion of the Commissioner QFES

Your key accountabilities

Undertake the full range of operational duties as prescribed for the rank of Chief Superintendent as required, plus the following:

Operations Management

• Lead, manage and coordinate QFES operations and resources during large-scale multi-agency incidents and disasters within Queensland.
• Undertake core member training in accordance with the Queensland Disaster Management Training Framework and have a comprehensive knowledge of the Queensland Disaster Management Act 2003.
• Represent QFES at multi-agency events, provide strategic emergency management of the impacts on the community (including to the Local Disaster Management Group, where appropriate) and have full authority for the deployment of all resources within the region in which the incident is located.
• Undertake the State Coordinator’s duties in managing the State Operations Centre.
• Represent QFES during complex incidents at the QPS Major Incident Room with a focus on whole-of-QFES operational capability and provide management advice.
• Represent QFES at a regional level during complex major incidents with a particular focus on the management of the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental impacts on the local community.
• Lead and manage large-scale deployments of QFES resources on intrastate and interstate operations.
• Ensure appropriate “on call” arrangements are managed, including regional requirements and State Operations call up requirements.
• Provide leadership and management support to all QFES staff to drive the pursuit of WH&S performance excellence, facilitating the growth of a WH&S culture.
• Comply with responsibilities of WHS legislation and the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.
• An operational appointee to this position will be required to be “on-call” to respond to emergency incidents in accordance with Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Determination 2013, Clause 43 – On-call arrangements and non-standard hours of work.

Community Safety Operations

• Manage Community Safety Operations standards, which may consist of policy, techniques, tactics and procedures, and provide expert advice.
• Manage services to enhance Community Safety Operations capability through the development and implementation of community safety programs.
• Coach and support regions in implementing Community Safety Operations and undertaking major infrastructure projects.
• If appointed to a position in Community Safety Operations at this rank, manage and coordinate the tactical, operational and technical functions to effectively and efficiently deliver all community safety and community education programs.

Professional Development

• Manage the development of training standards and business rules that are consistent with, and support, Operations Management and Community Safety Operations.
• Manage the planning and preparation for the why, what, when, where and how professional development standards are to be implemented, resources required, and coach regions.
• Manage the implementation of programs to provide for workforce capability, capacity and performance.
• If appointed to a position in professional development at this rank, manage and coordinate the tactical, operational and technical functions to effectively and efficiently deliver all skills acquisition, skills maintenance and professional development programs.
• Provide leadership and management support to all QFES staff to drive the pursuit of WH&S performance excellence, facilitating the growth of a WH&S culture.
• Comply with responsibilities of WHS legislation and the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.

Operations Business Management

• Manage state, regional or area operations and ensure the effective delivery of services through the best utilisation of the human, financial and capital resources of the operational zone, command or unit.
• Prepare correspondence, memorandums and briefings including confidential and sensitive matters such as Ministerial Briefings, Questions on Notice and Possible Parliamentary Questions.
• Manage the implementation of best practice strategies, directions and objectives for enhancing services to the community and monitoring outcomes against performance targets.
• Manage communication within the workplace and liaison between other QFES regions and units, other emergency services providers, government and non-government agencies, the media and the community.
• Manage organisational change including the facilitation of consultation with all staff to achieve the vision, goals and strategic direction of the QFES.
• Manage business enhancement initiatives to assist in the effectiveness of state, regional or command operations and/or services.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the QFES Strategic Plan, and manage the development of operational plans, policies and procedures to ensure the effective management of proactive fire service delivery.
• Manage human resource functions in accordance with HR delegations, including developing staff to their full potential, monitoring staff performance (including absenteeism management) and providing feedback.
• Provide leadership and management support to all QFES staff to drive the pursuit of WH&S performance excellence, facilitating the growth of a WH&S culture.
• Comply with responsibilities of WHS legislation and the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.

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 – Program Leader (leading teams and/or projects)

Vision

• Leads strategically
• Stimulates ideas and innovation
• Leads change in complex environments
• Makes insightful decisions

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent
• Builds enduring relationships
• Inspires others
• Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
• Pursues continuous growth
• Demonstrates sound governance

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

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty