Emergency Services Officer Supervisor

Job Status: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: $94,341 per annum plus super
Industry: Performing Arts
Location: South Brisbane
Application Closing Date: 5pm, 29th August 2025

About Us

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s leading centres for live performance. Welcoming over 1.5 million visitors to more than 1200 performances each year, we embrace the best in live performance – the world renowned alongside the emerging, local, and new – and connect to the stories and ideas at the heart of each production. Through the warmth and expertise of our staff, we have become a trusted curator, presenter, and host; a place to come together to relax, reflect, share stories, and celebrate.

About the Role

We are seeking applications for the full time role of Emergency Services Officer Supervisor. This is an essential role responsible for ensuring QPAC’s readiness for and effective response to all incidents and emergencies, in alignment with best practices for major Australian public venues. This role leads an all-hazards emergency response team to protect patrons, staff, and property, coordinating emergency procedures and safety measures in compliance with relevant legislation and Australian Standards (e.g. AS3745–2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities). This role is both operational and strategic.

The ESO Supervisor leads a team of 9 Emergency Services Officers (2 Senior ESOs and 7 ESOs) while maintaining an active operational role through rostered shifts. This position develops, implements, and oversees emergency management strategies, training programs, budget management, and reporting frameworks to enhance the safety of people in the facility. The ESO Supervisor ensures QPAC maintains the highest standards of emergency preparedness through effective team leadership, operational excellence, and strategic planning.

This role reports to Director - First Nations Strategy & Emergency Management, with the Senior Emergency Service Officers as direct reports and Emergency Service Officers as indirect reports.

Qualifications Required:

First Aid Certifications: Current approved First Aid and Advanced First Aid certifications (e.g. HLTAID011 Provide First Aid and HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid), including up-to-date CPR certification and Advanced Resuscitation Certification.

Fire/Emergency Certification: Qualification as a Queensland Fire Safety Adviser (or ability to obtain one promptly) in accordance with the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

Technical and Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of fire protection systems (fire panels, sprinkler and alarm systems, EWIS PA systems), evacuation diagrams, and first aid techniques. Familiarity with relevant Australian Standards and regulations for emergency management (such as AS 3745–2010, Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008) and the ability to apply them in practice.

In this role you will:

Emergency Incident Leadership: Oversee and respond to any fire, medical, hazardous material, threat to life or environmental incidents at QPAC acting as the QPAC Chief Warden on the Emergency Response Team. Act as the primary point of contact to brief attending emergency services officers. Coordinate QPAC evacuation plans with Arts Queensland and broader Queensland Cultural Centre emergency protocols

Team management: Develop and maintain comprehensive roster schedules ensuring comprehensive emergency coverage across all QPAC operations, managing leave approvals, shift allocations, and emergency call-out procedures. Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Emergency Services Officer team, including recruitment, performance management, professional development, and succession planning for all ESO positions. Ensure all ESO team members maintain current certifications and participate in ongoing professional development. Coordinate external training opportunities and internal skill development programs.

Budget management: With the Director, First Nations Strategy monitor, and manage the Emergency Services budget including personnel costs, training expenses, equipment procurement, and maintenance contracts. Provide regular budget reports and forecasts to senior management.

Fire Panel Monitoring & Communications: Continuously monitor the venue’s Fire Indicator Panels (FIPs) and emergency alarm systems. Upon alarm or incident, promptly liaise with Arts Queensland (OS1) and notify external emergency services (e.g. QFES Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police) to initiate appropriate responses.

Train and mentor QPAC’s Fire Wardens (ERT members) to ensure they are confident and capable in performing emergency duties. Provide initial training and periodic refresher courses for all new and existing wardens (this may involve coordinating certified Fire Warden training through a qualified Fire Safety Adviser). Maintain an up-to-date register of wardens for every zone and department within QPAC, and ensure each area always has sufficient warden coverage.

Emergency Preparedness Training: Plan, schedule and conduct regular emergency preparedness training for staff and the emergency response team. Deliver tailored emergency and safety inductions for contractors, touring companies, and visiting performers as required. This includes organising at least one full evacuation drill for the venue annually, as required by Queensland law and organising periodic discussion and/or desktop exercises at least twice annually. Maintaining training records.

Safety Inspections & Hazard Mitigation: Regularly inspect and audit the venue for safety hazards, fire risks, and compliance with fire safety regulations. This includes checking that all exits and evacuation routes remain clear and unobstructed at all times, that fire doors and safety systems are in proper working order, and that any identified risks are promptly addressed. Implement an interim risk management process. Document and report any issues that could pose a threat to occupant safety, and coordinate with relevant departments to rectify problems.

Policy and Procedure Development: Contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of QPAC's emergency management policies, procedures, and protocols in compliance with relevant legislation and Australian Standards (e.g. AS3745-2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities).

Reporting: Prepare comprehensive reports on emergency management activities, incidents, training outcomes, budget performance, and team metrics for senior management and board reporting.

Stakeholder Management: Maintain relationships with external emergency services, regulatory bodies, Arts Queensland, and other key stakeholders. Represent QPAC at emergency management meetings and industry forums.

First Aid Response: Provide First Aid response when required for any medical incidents or accidents on QPAC premises, supporting QPAC's First Aid Officers. Provide prompt First Aid and Advanced First Aid treatment to patrons, performers, or staff who become ill or injured, in accordance with your training and QPAC protocols.

Fire Equipment auditing: Ensure routine inspections and operational testing of fire prevention and suppression systems, including FIPs, EWIS, extinguishers, hydrants, and smoke detectors.

Incident Reporting and Documentation: Prepare clear, comprehensive incident reports for all emergencies, incidents, or notable WHS events that occur. Record factual details of what happened, actions taken, times, communications, and outcomes.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for:

Leadership and Team Management: Demonstrated experience in leading and managing emergency services or safety teams, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development of staff in high-pressure operational environments.

Emergency Response Expertise: Demonstrated experience in managing and leading responses to emergencies or critical incidents in a high-occupancy environment (such as a theatre, convention centre, shopping centre, or industrial site). Ability to take charge and coordinate teams under emergency conditions.

Training and Preparedness: Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective emergency training programs (for example, fire warden instruction, evacuation drills, first-response training) to staff or volunteers.

First Aid and Incident Management Skills: Advanced First Aid skills and experience in providing first responder medical assistance.

Communication and Reporting: Excellent communication skills, both in crisis situations and in routine reporting.

Teamwork and Autonomy: Proven ability to work both autonomously and within a team, including leading a multidisciplinary team during emergencies.

Organizational Skills and attention to detail: Strong organisational and administrative skills relevant to emergency management. This includes maintaining training logs, warden rosters, emergency equipment checklists, and other safety records.

Flexibility and Reliability: Willingness and ability to work flexible hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) and to respond reliably to emergencies or urgent situations at short notice, in order to support QPAC’s operational needs.

How to Apply

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Disabled and Deaf people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of all ages.

To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must have existing Australian work rights. Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory National Police check.

You can obtain a copy of the position description by emailing [email protected]. For any other queries, please contact the Talent Acquisition team on (07) 3842 9361.

The closing date for applications is on Friday, 29th August 2024 at 5pm. QPAC will commence screening and shortlisting in advance of this closing date.