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.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (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 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.

Purpose of the role

The Watch Desk provides a 24/7 emergency management capability for the Queensland government and other disaster management stakeholders through monitoring, collecting, collating and analysing a wide range of emergency management information from diverse sources to notify, inform and warn key stakeholders, regardless of operational activation status. The Watch Desk team supports QFES and Queensland (QLD) Disaster Management Arrangements by ensuring the:

• State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) is maintained in a state of operational readiness
• SES tasking across the state is effectively coordinated
• provision of timely and accurate warnings and reports are disseminated to relevant local, district, regional, state and interstate stakeholders
• creation and dissemination of emergency alert campaigns within QLD on behalf key stakeholders.

Reporting to the Watch Desk Supervisor, you will be a key member of the team responsible for supporting the functions of the watch desk capability and contributing to high quality preventative and responsive services in accordance with government strategies and community expectations.

Key requirements

Mandatory requirements

• The position will involve rostered shift duties in an environment where roster changes can occur at short notice.

Special requirements

• The hours of work arrangements will usually consist of 12 hour 5 min shifts. These shifts will run from 6.30am to 6.35pm (Day Shift) and 6.30pm to 6.35am (Night Shift). During periods when no Watch Desk Officers are on leave or otherwise absent, one shift cycle will consist of 5 x 7 hour 15 min days on a Monday to Friday basis.
• Officers will work a rotational shift roster including night and weekend shifts over 28 day periods. Applicable penalty rates apply.

Your key accountabilities

Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in providing key frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work, including, but not limited to:

• Work autonomously and as part of a team to assimilate, assess, report on warnings and other emergency information that affect the Queensland community, taking action as necessary, including activities relating to the activation of the SES.
• Research and analyse data from the Bureau of Meteorology, Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre and other national and international bodies that could impact on the safety of our communities.
• Support the agency’s 132 500 number by coordinating requests for assistance and other diverse resources and forwarding to appropriate management and stakeholders, ensuring the SES is activated when required.
• Monitor information and communication technology systems, operating complex software applications, and maintain accurate records.
• Provide data and reports on activities to QFES regarding requests relevant to their areas of responsibility.
• Liaise, negotiate and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (local government, state and national level) within the disaster management environment to ensure timely delivery of supplies, resources and support during critical incidents and natural disasters.
• Provide strategic advice to management regarding additional staffing and the activation of the SDCC.
• Lead and contribute to forums to identify issues arising from operational activity, develop procedures, participate in projects designed to address issues, review plans to ensure consistency with best practice and contribute to the operational preparedness.
• Undertake a portfolio of activities focusing on the long term preparation of state capability for disaster operations and coordination during emergency events.
• Undertake and support operational duties during emergencies and disasters as necessary.

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

• 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
• Courage
• Loyalty
• Trust