About us

As a department our purpose is to help the community to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of fire and emergency events.

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

Purpose of the role

Employee Relations unit provides advice, representation and advocacy on behalf of QFES and performs traditional industrial relations functions such as engagement and consultation with unions and advocacy before industrial tribunals. The team also supports management and employees to enable resolution of matters at the workplace level without the parties having to resort to formal proceedings or litigation and provides advice to managers and employees regarding their respective entitlements, rights and obligations in the context of public sector employment.

Reporting to the Director, Industrial Relations you will be responsible for leading and managing a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement workplace relations strategies and project outcomes, including advocacy and representation in high complex matters in external bodies and forums. You will be required to provide expert advice on complex employee relations cases, and lead and manage the interpretation of relevant legislation and industrial instruments, including representing QFES and liaison on individual employee matters such as grievances, performance management and discipline issues, working closely with other units and regional offices to facilitate appropriate outcomes.

Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Knowledge and/or experience in interpreting relevant legislation and industrial instruments, engagement with employee representative bodies and/or managing grievances and disputes.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in industrial relations, law, human resources or a related field will be highly regarded.

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:

• Provide expert advice to senior executives on all matters relating to employee relations, industrial relations, public sector policy, dispute resolution, strategic employment frameworks and management of enterprise agreements to achieve business objectives.
• Represent QFES and appear as an industrial advocate in Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, other tribunals to support resolution of issues.
• Lead and manage case management of employee matters where required, to resolve grievances and disputes through the provision of advice to management at the workplace level or by independent review and reporting.
• Lead and manage the interpretation, development and implementation of industrial strategy, variations to industrial instruments, awards and enterprise agreements and guidance materials to ensure QFES meets compliance obligations regarding industrial relations legislation.
• Prepare and review complex briefing material, cabinet submissions and correspondence in relation to industrial relations issues, employment and policy frameworks and best practice.
• Undertake management activities including operational and strategic planning, workflow and quality management, utilising human, financial, including budget management and other resources.
• Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team, fostering teamwork and managing human resource activities including developing of staff through performance, planning and review.

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 (Leads teams and/or projects)

Vision

• Leads strategically
• Leads change in complex environments

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 QFES shared values:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty