Principal Employee Relations Officer (AO7) Employee Relations

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 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 Employee Relations Unit provides advice representation and advocacy on behalf of QFD and performs traditional industrial relations functions such as engagement and consultation with unions and advocacy before industrial tribunals. The team also supports management and employees to enable resolution of matters at the workplace level without the parties having to resort to formal proceedings or litigation and provides advice to managers and employees regarding their respective entitlements rights and obligations in the context of public sector employment.

Reporting to the Executive Manager you will be responsible for providing expert advice on complex employee relations cases as well as the interpretation of policies and relevant legislations providing leadership on workplace relations strategies including negotiations with unions and advocacy and representation in high complex matters in external bodies and forums. You will also be required to manage individual employee matters such as grievances performance management and discipline issues and work closely with other units and regional offices to facilitate appropriate outcomes.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Knowledge and/or experience in interpreting relevant legislation and industrial instruments negotiating with employee representative bodies and/or managing grievances and disputes.
• Relevant qualifications in industrial and/or employee relations or human resources will be highly regarded.

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 expert advice on contemporary industrial relations high level dispute resolution strategic employment frameworks and management of enterprise agreements to achieve business objectives.
• Assist in the case management of employee matters to resolve grievances and disputes through the provision of advice to management at the workplace level or by independent review and reporting.
• Manage the interpretation and provide advice on awards enterprise agreements legislation policies and industrial relations matters to all levels of management and employees.
• Assist in the development and implementation of industrial strategy variations to industrial instruments Awards and Agreements guidance materials and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Prepare and review briefing material cabinet submissions and correspondence in relation to industrial relations issues employment and policy frameworks and best practice.
• Represent the departmentand assist in the negotiation development and implementation of enterprise agreements for all employee groups including relevant unions/employee representatives.
• Appear as an industrial advocate in Queensland Industrial Relations Commission other tribunals and at high level negotiations with a range of stakeholders to support resolution of issues.
• Maintain current professional knowledge of relevant legislation policies procedures and industry practices to ensure QFDmeets compliance obligations regarding industrial relations legislation.

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

• Stimulates ideas and innovation
• 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