Purpose of specific work area and position

The Bushfire Resilience and Operational Support Branch sits within the Strategic Capability Division, and leads strategic and operational asset management, bushfire mitigation strategy and land use planning resilience for the Rural Fire Service (RFS). The Bushfire Mitigation function comprises operational and non-operational staff with expertise in mitigation strategy, first nations capability development, environmental ecology (natural and cultural), and landscape fire policy. The Mitigation Strategy team is responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation of bushfire mitigation strategies across the state.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Bushfire Mitigation, you will lead and manage the functions of the team and provide statewide coordination of the mitigation strategy program of works and community education programs. You will manage the outputs of the Mitigation Strategy team including the Bushfire Mitigation Officer (RFSO2) – Vegetation Hub, ensuring alignment between mitigation strategy and the vegetation management regulatory framework. You will work closely with Managers, Bushfire Mitigation in the Districts, as well as a range of internal and external stakeholders across bushfire mitigation and landscape fire policy to promote and enhance and deliver preventative bushfire mitigation strategies, fire prevention, planning and education programs, leveraging best-practice, cultural and environmental insights.

Mandatory requirements

• Must meet the mandatory requirements as outlined in the generic Rural Fire Service Inspector role description.

Highly desirable requirements

• Experience in or knowledge of the concepts, strategies and issues associated with managing a volunteer environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders from rural and remote communities.

Primary duties

In addition to the generic Inspector, Rural Fire Service (FSINS) Role Description, the purpose of the Manager Bushfire Mitigation Strategy position includes but is not limited to:

• Develop statewide bushfire mitigation, fire prevention and planning frameworks, including bushfire risk data collection methodologies, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, legislative requirements, and best practice.
• Provide statewide coordination of the Bushfire Mitigation program of works including contributing to strategic direction, policy development and regional implementation.
• Liaise with and assist Regional and/or District bushfire committees, fire management groups and local communities with bushfire mitigation strategies and planning and assist other disaster management organisations through establishing collaborative working arrangements where appropriate.
• Work with Regional staff to develop strategic mitigation partnerships with bushfire mitigation stakeholders including Local Governments, other Government agencies, authorities, Indigenous communities, and community groups, to evaluate the effectiveness of bushfire risk and mitigation plans.
• Lead the bushfire prevention and preparedness community education approach, including overall coordination of support for the Volunteer Community Educator (VCE) network and assisting in development of community safety materials, to support regional delivery of community awareness.
• Coordinate the management of bushfire mitigation activity data to enable accurate and timely reporting on activity and risk, including performance against key indicators.
• Provide secretariat duties to the State Bushfire Committee, providing a whole-of-government approach to bushfire mitigation, education strategies and support statewide indigenous working groups, where required.
• Research, review and report on the findings and recommendations that emanate from inquiries, coronial hearings, commissions, research, and other relevant avenues that could assist in the enhancement of our community education, mitigation strategies and/or operational practices.

Additional information

• Be able to meet the generic Inspector, Rural Fire Service (RFS) role description attributes.
• Rural Officer Two (RFSO2) or applicants with equivalent industry experience, appropriate skills, knowledge, are encouraged to apply. 
• Volunteers and external parties with appropriate skills are highly encouraged to apply, noting that they may be asked to provide additional information to satisfy internal policies.
• Incumbents may be required to travel and work within the area of responsibility 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 program developed with their supervisor.
• Have a proven commitment to maintaining competencies and operating in a team environment.
• This Role Specification Statement (RSS) is linked to the generic Role Description, that provides the “key accountabilities” and “capabilities” to be addressed by the applicant. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review this RSS with the role description and consider the requirements when preparing their application.