Public Information Officer

Queensland Fire Department

Status: Permanent Full-time

Classification: AO5

Salary: $101,172.10 - $109,781.37 per annum

Division: Queensland Fire Department

Region/Directorate: State Operations

Work Unit: Public Information & Warnings

Location: Townsville

Closing Date: Midnight, 24th July 25

Reference No: QLD_QFD_20916_25

Current Queensland Fire Department employees and volunteers must apply via their internal careers site

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 the role

The Public Information and Warnings unit provides strategic and operational response oversight of the public information capability to ensure operational planning and readiness at the state, regional and local levels. The team works in conjunction with other teams across the department and external stakeholders, responsible for elements of public information to ensure Queensland communities receive timely, accurate and relevant information during incidents and disasters to ensure the safety of the community and effective incident management.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, you will contribute to the planning and capability development of the public information function and support the delivery of timely and quality incident-based information, including warnings, on behalf of QFD. The focus of this role is issuing community warnings and critical public information, contributing to the continuous improvement of the public information function and systems, and conducting quality assurance checks and delivering public information and warnings training to enhance community safety and operational capabilities.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

Minimum C Class Driver’s License (non-restricted).

Experience and/or qualifications in communication or public relations roles.

Special requirements

Participate in a 24 hour, 7 days a week roster as required.

Deployment at short notice in response to QFD operations during major incidents, emergencies and disasters if required.

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:

Contribute to the ongoing development of the public information and warnings function, at regional and state level. This includes participating in strategic planning, quality assurance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Create and issue bushfire warnings and other critical public information during a range of incidents, emergencies and disasters, and provide guidance to personnel responsible for public information.

Contribute to the development and improvement of policy and procedures, systems and processes, and communication strategies in the delivery of public information at regional and state level.

Prepare and review briefings, reports and submissions relating to public information during a range of incidents, emergencies and disasters in accordance with departmental requirements.

Provide advice to senior QFD personnel to help ensure effective communication and public information strategies.Research, analyse and develop appropriate responses to contentious issues.

Build and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including operational personnel to support community engagement and public information functions at regional and state level.

Develop and implement statewide and regional capacity and capability enhancement plans and deliver public information and warnings training to ensure a consistent approach to providing information and service delivery. This includes, identifying, training, and supporting appropriate personnel to meet approved requirements.

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 of:

Respect

Integrity

Trust

Courage

Loyalty

To find out more about the behaviours and competencies required for this role, visit Leadership competencies for Queensland | For government | Queensland Government

Want more information?

Please contact Renee Meier, Manager on phone 0408 478 793 or email [email protected].

You can also visit our website to find out more information about joining our team.

How to apply

Please refer to the QFD Public Service Application Guide [All PS Classifications/Streams and Senior Officer] for information on how to apply for this role and contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments if required.