About us

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire in the built and landscape environments, as well as scientific and specialist capabilities to Queensland communities. The QFD provides a multi-hazard emergency response, including road crash rescue, bushfire, hazardous material, technical and vertical rescue, severe weather incidents, remote and swiftwater rescue, and provides a number of functions supporting community safety outcomes.

The department encompasses Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR), Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ), as well as the broader department which work together to pre-empt, prevent, mitigate and manage the consequences of fires and other emergencies on Queensland communities and support our large volunteer membership across the state.

The QFD is an organisation that is focused on reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through the Path to Treaty, Closing the Gap and building our cultural capability.

Purpose of the role

The Industrial Relations (IR) branch will provide advice, representation, and advocacy on behalf of QFD and performs traditional industrial relations functions such as negotiations and consultation with unions, advocacy before industrial tribunals, and negotiation, administration, and implementation of industrial instruments, including awards and certified agreements.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will be responsible for providing industrial relations advisory and support services to senior executives and key stakeholders and will work closely with the Employee Relations team to manage industrial disputes, including the prevention of potential disputes. You will play a lead role with enterprise bargaining processes and undertake case management of IR matters to assist with sensitive industrial and/or workforce issues and always provide IR management services consistent with the prevailing IR Act 2016 (Qld) and building workforce capability to ensure the ongoing provision of quality fire services to the Queensland community.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Possession of relevant tertiary or postgraduate qualification/s in industrial/employee relations.
• Knowledge of application of industrial instruments, and the enterprise bargaining process.
• Knowledge of IR systems, including legal framework, with specific knowledge of the Queensland IR legislative context.

Your key accountabilities

Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in providing key frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work, including, but not limited to:

• Provide expert industrial relations advisory and support services, including delivering critical and sensitive advice on issues of significant and/or complex nature impacting QFD.
• Contribute to the enterprise bargaining processes including preparing for, negotiating, (including tribunal representation) to influence decisions and/or implement outcomes and certified agreements on behalf of the department.
• Prepare and deliver advocacy on behalf of the department in conciliation and arbitration proceedings before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and other tribunals.
• Represent the department in various industrial forums and committees, and in negotiations with industrial organisations to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery and achieve business objectives.
• Provide professional leadership and support in the implementation of whole-of-government industrial relations policy and initiatives, and identify and respond to new and emerging issues and/or advise on the long-term implications as they relate to the workforce.
• Prepare and review briefing material, cabinet submissions and correspondence in relation to industrial relations issues, policy frameworks and best practice in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
• Manage the interpretation of enterprise agreements, legislation and policies to develop, implement and apply best practice industrial relations strategies, frameworks and tools that support the strategic objectives of QFD.

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

• Leads strategically
• 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 QFD shared values:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty