Technical Planning and Design Manager - Queensland, Australia

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 committed to reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through activities identified in the QFD Reframing the Relationship Plan, contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes and building our cultural capability.

Purpose of role

Operational Communications Branch is responsible for the strategic direction, advice, design, build, and management of QFD's critical frontline communications infrastructure, which includes the radio network, frontline systems, and emergency telephony (Triple Zero) capability across Queensland. The Design team provides technical planning, design, strategic road mapping, and assurance functions to support build teams deliver frontline communications projects and initiatives. The branch is also responsible for the implementation of risk mitigation plans, maintaining a high resilient frontline communications platform, and enhancing these systems for operational readiness in a rolling annual program.

Reporting to Manager OCB, the Technical Planning and Design Manager role encompasses supporting service delivery, providing technical assurance, enhance operational readiness and develop mission capable communications system solutions for all frontline responders (including both QFR and RFSQ). Additionally, the role fulfills an important capability within Operational Communications scope to support various operationally critical communications infrastructure and services required by Frontline responders. You will lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team within the appropriate financial and human resources delegations to support the branch to deliver on its scope of responsibilities.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Associate Diploma or Degree in Electronics / Communications Engineering or equivalent qualification with a minimum of five (5) years’ industry experience.
• Exposure to PRINCE2 methodologies

Your key accountabilities

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

• Lead and manage a team of technical specialists within a frontline communication systems environment, supporting complex communications systems integration, while providing high level technical assistance to a team of technicians.
• Manage the portfolio of complex communication systems integration initiatives in an environment of competing priorities, coordinating quality assurance of documents and requirements.
• Manage, coordinate, analyse, gather and report on current and emerging communications technology trends using a diverse range of internal and external information sources.
• Establish a consistent framework for State-wide planning, management and maintenance of complex communications systems.
• Ensure that specific frontline communications systems design principles and technical standards relating to complex communications environments are developed, approved, promoted and maintained accordingly.
• Contribute to and develop, an understanding of customer strategic directions and desired outcomes as they relate to the provision of public safety communications systems development and emergency response services.
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of relevant issues, insights, challenges, industry practices and, evaluate, recommend, and deliver innovative solutions that optimise outcomes and improve service delivery.
• Manage the function and team, fostering positive teamwork, and utilisation of human, financial and other resources and assist in the ongoing development of staff through performance, planning, and review.

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 QFD shared values:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty