The Role

The Command Safety Branch is one of six Branches in Headquarters Australian Army Cadets (AAC) whose primary function is the implementation of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), inclusive of Youth Safety and Protection, within the AAC. Its highest priority is ensuring the organisation operates within the Defence Youth Safety Framework, which is a direct consequence of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The activities of the Branch include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of safety related strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders, both internal and external to the AAC and Defence;
• Responsible for the management and execution of WHS and Defence Youth Safety Framework outcomes, including the development of AAC, Army and Defence Work Health and Youth Safety and Protection Policy;
• Provide technical safety oversight for all National and Regional cadet activities;
• Coordinate with National/State/Territory Government bodies and institutions; Defence Safety agencies; Reserve Cadet Support Division; RAAF and RAN Cadet organisations; in order to ensure relevant, up to date and common safety practices are maintained across the AAC and wider Defence;
• Contribute to Army and Defence strategic planning and policy development, implement initiatives and provide reporting to National/State/Territory and Defence organisations;
• Undertake, coordinate or review investigations into safety incidents that occur within the AAC. This can include working with Comcare, State and Territory, Defence safety organisations, legal teams and emergency services;
• The position requires a composed, well-organised individual, who can manage conflicting priorities and deadlines, and a diverse team in a high tempo rapidly changing work environment.

Workplace Environment:

• Computer Use;
• Sitting at desk;
• Frequent travel - Vehicle;
• Frequent travel - Aeroplane;
• Frequent Overtime.

Travel will include work in an outdoor/field environment to assess compliance with WHS and the Defence Youth Safety Framework.

About our Team

The Australian Army Cadets is an Army youth development organisation, consisting of military, APS, adult volunteers and cadet youth. The organisation has 21,000 personnel, including 19,000 cadet youth, and is geographically dispersed across the Nation under a National and nine Regional Headquarters. The core element of the AAC is our adult volunteers, who are our front line staff directly responsible for the safe delivery of the Army cadet program in accordance with direction from Headquarters AAC, and within the Defence Youth Safety Framework.

Safety Branch is a small staff, consisting of the EL 2 Command Safety Director, an EL 1 Safety Manager and an Army Reserve Safety and Compliance Officer. The Branch has technical authority over the nine Regional Headquarters, through their Formation Safety Advisers, to ensure that the Army Cadet Program is delivered in accordance with mandated and directed Workplace Health and Safety and Youth Safe and Protection legislation and Policy.

Safety Branch is agile to meet the changing business demands of the organisation. The Branch supports a number of priorities simultaneously across multiple Branches and Regional Headquarters and is flexible in meeting changing priorities quickly. The work tempo is high, with a strong focus on youth safety and protection outcomes in a Chief of Army directed ‘No fail’ youth safety environment.

The Branch engages with Senior Executives, National/State/Territory Government bodies and institutions; Defence Safety agencies; Reserve Cadet Support Division; RAAF and RAN Cadet organisations; in order to ensure relevant, up to date and common safety practices are maintained across the AAC and wider Defence. The EL 2 Command Safety Director is the senior APS Officer within the AAC, and as such, is responsible for mentoring and the provision of advice in regards to all matters concerning APS management.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate must have practical working knowledge and experience of Commonwealth, Defence, Army WHS Regulations and Policies, Youth Safety and Protection requirements and working with youth, in a youth development program. This is to ensure that the AAC program meets all safety and working with youth legal responsibilities.

Additionally, the candidate must have a demonstrated ability to deliver youth safety and protection outcomes in a geographically and culturally diverse, predominantly volunteer based youth development organisation.

Our ideal candidate must be a strong communicator (written and verbal) and critical thinker who can analyse and solve complex problems to:

• Provide the Senior Executive (HQ AAC, Army and Defence) with options;
• Influence change; and
• Develop and maintain working relationships, all within a highly geographically and demographically dispersed youth development organisation.

The Position writes business submissions, reports, briefs and ministerials. The candidate must be able to manage complex conflicting workloads, adapt to change and analyse critical safety related information. They must be able to meet deadlines and achieve results.

They will be a strong team leader, committed to the ongoing development and professionalisation of all AAC staff and cadet youth, and have a sound understanding of the Australian Army Cadet youth development program. Our position offers the right applicant exposure to executive strategic planning and implementation, engagement with Senior Leaders and the opportunity to build on their career.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 19 June 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ARMY/05087/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=A392CC56-5EB7-A8BA-5C8C-E3EE687B2301