Staff Officer (AO7) Office of the Chief Operating Officer

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 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.

QFD are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by Work180 and celebrate all diversity by committing to a culture where people feel safe respected valued and engaged.

The QFD is an organisation that is committed to reframing the departments 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 the role

The offices of the QFD Senior Executives provide high level strategic direction and oversight of the respective portfolios of Queensland Fire and Rescue Rural Fire Service Queensland and Strategy and Corporate Services Division.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer leads the Strategy and Corporate Services branch and provides support and advice to the Commissioner and the QFD Executive Leadership Team to support decision making and ensure achievement of key commitments and objectives. The team undertake projects on a diverse range of activities to address issues impacting on the Commissioner including research and analysis into current and emerging issues. The team contributes to the preparation of advice and summary documentation for consideration to enhance business and operational capability and ensure best practice processes meet current and future needs.

This position is a key member of the team responsible for providing high quality executive and operational support by managing the processing of correspondence and assisting the Chief Operating Officer in the preparation of daily activities. You will liaise and consult with a variety of stakeholders including officers at all levels within the department ministerial staff media and external stakeholders from other emergency service providers and public and private sectors on a range of diverse and often sensitive issues which may impact the department. You will work within a complex environment to coordinate and track projects and tasks to support the departments achievement of organisational objectives.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Experience in applying critical and creative thinking with high-level strategic communications ability and writing in the delivery of ministerial (or equivalent) briefings.
• Proven ability to negotiate mentor and resolve conflict in a dynamic and complex environment with the ability to model organisational behaviours values and ethics while working well with a diverse range of people.

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:

• Provide professional and timely advice on sensitive and complex issues requiring confidentiality.
• Manage the functions of the office and prepare contribute to and quality check correspondence reports and submissions ensuring actions and priorities are addressed and accurate and appropriate replies formulated.
• Lead and monitor significant projects and activities including appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure timeframes and deliverables are achieved.
• Undertake research and identify issues impacting on the senior executive office and responsibilities and provide recommendation or solution to support operations strategies and initiatives planning and performance reporting.
• Ensure effective corporate governance to meetings and committees including follow up on actions and outcomes ensuring matters are discussed and managed appropriately.
• Contribute to the development implementation and monitoring of the Divisions operational business plans and budget to support key initiatives and coordinate input into whole-of-department strategic objectives.
• Provide high-level timely and accurate advice on corporate governance and operational issues which support the operations of the office and delivery of key programs and services.
• Represent senior executives at internal and external meetings and forums to negotiate consult and/or collaborate on behalf of the department to ensure the achievement of key priorities and outcomes relating to the Division.
• Monitor and review systems and procedures to identify business enhancements and develop and implement strategies to maximise business improvement initiatives to support the senior and executive leadership teams and divisional service delivery.

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 Team Leader (leading teams)

Vision

• Leads change in complex environments
• Makes insightful decisions

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent
• Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
• Demonstrates sound governance