About Us

As an emergency service agency, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property across Queensland through the provision of effective prevention, preparation, response and recovery activities across a range of emergency situations.

QFES is the primary provider of fire, rescue and emergency management programs and services throughout Queensland. The department encompasses the Fire and Rescue Service, disaster management services, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES), and also supports other volunteer groups providing emergency response to Queenslanders.

QFES is one department with many services, many capabilities and many partners.

The functions of the QFES are unique. It is the only entity in Australia that delivers high quality fire, rescue, emergency and disaster management services through a single agency. This collaborative approach across the service and with key stakeholders delivers improved safety outcomes for the community.

Purpose of the Role

Research and Scientific is a specialist branch and provides 24-hour, 7-day per week hazardous materials response providing expert advice to QFES and other agencies such as the Queensland Police Service (QPS) on the safe management of chemical and other hazardous materials emergencies including Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

The Branch incorporates two response vehicles, one staffed 24-7 by two fire-fighters, supported by the on-call scientific officer and the other staffed by an on call scientific officer drawn from QFES or Queensland Health Scientific Services that supports a network of Scientific volunteers located across Queensland.

We also provide expert technical and scientific advice to support research within QFES and the development QFES policies, programs and activities such as operational support and specialist training.

Scientific Officers form the professional scientific core of QFES requires officers to have a broad scientific knowledge, with particular emphasis on chemical hazards and emergency management of HAZMAT or CBRN incidents. The Scientific Officers also participate in entry operations with the combatant authority (QFES) into contaminated environments donning protective equipment.

Key Requirements

Mandatory requirements

• Eligible to apply for, or hold a current Blue Card.
• Tertiary qualifications (minimum degree level) in Applied Science, Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields majoring in chemistry.
• Must be prepared to participate in branch on-call roster.
• A medical test to prove aptitude and fitness for this role will be required before appointment. The objective of the medical test is to prove that the applicant is medically capable of wearing personal protective equipment, such as self contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective suits at a hazardous materials or CBRN incident under the supervision of QFES. This is a condition of employment.
• Minimum C class Driver's Licence (non-restricted).

Highly desirable requirements

• A higher degree in Applied Science, Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields majoring in chemistry will be very highly regarded.

Your Key Accountabilities

• Provide expert advice on hazardous materials management and HAZMAT/CBRN incident response to QFES, QPS, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and other identified agencies across government.
• Participate in a roster to be periodically on-call as a senior Scientific Officer to attend HAZMAT/CBRN emergencies for the branch.
• Contribute to the development of policies, programs and initiatives to support the QFES strategic focus on hazardous materials management and HAZMAT/CBRN incident response by undertaking research, analysis, and providing expert advice on complex scientific and technical issues.
• Contribute to the enhancement and maintenance of the infrastructure to support the branch.
• Actively contribute to the development and delivery of specialised HAZMAT and CBRN training to the QFES, QPS and other specific agencies.

Specific duties include some or all of the following:

Operations

• Provide on-site expert scientific advice in relation to hazardous materials management and CBRN incident response.
• Liaise with Emergency Services, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, local authorities, other government agencies, industry and the public in relation to the emergency.
• Apply sophisticated detection, monitoring or sampling equipment and chemical analysis techniques to identify and characterise hazardous materials and CBRN hazards at the emergency.
• Don protective equipment/self-contained breathing apparatus in the support of operations such as assessment, detection and sampling within contaminated environments at HAZMAT or CBRN incidents where required.
• Apply and interpret information on chemical hazards using specialised databases, modelling (hazard prediction) programs and other resources.

Operational policy, training, and support

• Contribute to and lead research projects that are relevant to the operational and strategic needs of the QFES.
• Contribute to the development of policies, strategies and programs to support the focus on hazardous materials management, HAZMAT emergency management including response and operational readiness such as acquisition, and management of specialised operational and support equipment.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of administrative systems to support operational readiness through effective application of project planning and management.
• Lead and also contribute to the development and delivery of specialist HAZMAT/CBRN emergency response training courses to the QFES, QPS and other Organisations.

General duties

• Liaise and effectively manage relationships with other agencies, in particular QFES, QPS, QAS, industry and the public regarding issues relating to chemical hazards and emergency management.
• Research, analyse, communicate and provide expert advice on complex scientific technical issues to enhance the operational preparedness of the branch and QFES.
• Lead and undertake appropriate review, monitoring and improvements of the branch to ensure the strategy and its outcomes remain focused on supporting the service delivery needs of the department.

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 – Program Leader (leading teams and/or projects)

Vision

• Leads strategically
• Stimulates ideas and innovation
• Leads change in complex environments
• Makes insightful decisions

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent
• Builds enduring relationships
• Inspires others
• Drives accountability and outcomes

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
• Pursues continuous growth
• Demonstrates sound governance

Once you join us we will want you to exemplify the QFES shared values:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty