Description:
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.
The Organisational Development branch provides organisational design, development and implementation of concepts to create contemporary and integrated strategies, frameworks, policies, programs, initiatives. The Organisational Development and Implementation team is responsible for designing and implementing a range of activities to build organisational capacity and ensure workforce capability and departmental structure meets the needs to deliver frontline services and achieve organisational objectives.
Reporting to the Director IR Reform, you will be responsible for providing industrial relations advisory, representation and advocacy on behalf of QFD. You will provide support services to senior executives and key stakeholders, such as negotiation and consultation with unions. You will play a lead role with Award variation processes and undertake IR projects to assist with sensitive industrial and/or workforce issues, including the prevention of potential disputes, and provide IR management services consistent, at all times, with the prevailing (State) IR Act 2016 and building workforce capability to ensure the ongoing provision of quality fire services to the Queensland community.
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 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 industrial relations advisory and support services, including delivering critical and sensitive advice on issues of significant and/or complex nature impacting QFD.
- 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.
- Contribute to Award Variation processes including preparing for, participating and managing working groups, drafting and preparing necessary documentation (including tribunal participation) to influence decisions and/or implement outcomes 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.
- Undertake research and analysis of emerging industrial relations issues and provide options to support the development of effective and comprehensive responses to such issues.
- Support and participate 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.
- Prepare and contribute to briefing material, cabinet submissions and correspondence in relation to industrial relations issues, policy frameworks and best practice in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
- Contribute to, and support in the implementation of whole-of-government industrial relations policy and initiatives, identifying and responding to new and emerging issues and/or providing advice on the long-term implications as they relate to the workforce.
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