Senior Program Officer - Culture and Communication

at  Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

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 focused on reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through the Path to Treaty, Closing the Gap and building our cultural capability.
Purpose of the role
The Volunteering and Culture Branch leads the development and execution of a contemporary volunteering strategy, aligned with responsive volunteer and staff pathways to enhance the overall experience for RFSQ volunteers and staff. The Culture and Communication team is responsible for coordinating service-wide engagement and communication initiatives to increase volunteer and workforce engagement, understanding, and promoting volunteer ethos and cultural alignment at RFSQ.
Reporting to the Executive Manager, RFS Experience, you will drive an inclusive workplace culture through evidence-based insights and regular communication and engagement channels, to enhance the workplace experience, build a strong employer brand, and promote a positive workplace culture for staff and volunteers alike. Leading a small team, you will develop and manage culture and communication initiatives that support key operational capabilities and deliver on strategic objectives. You will lead the development communications and promotional materials for volunteers, coordinate upskilling and recognition events, and contribute content expertise where required, to support the development and implementation of organisational culture change initiatives.
Key requirements

Highly desirable requirements

• Knowledge and experience or qualifications in corporate communications-related area (i.e. Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Social Media).
• Knowledge of, or experience working with volunteers and/or within a volunteer organisation.

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:

• Develop, manage, and evaluate RFSQ culture, communication and engagement frameworks, processes, and practices, including identification of innovative solutions to ensure volunteer communication is administered in a timely and efficient way.
• Proactively develop and manage communication channels and platforms that foster long-term relationships with volunteers and staff, to build a positive RFS experience and culture.
• Provide support to organisational projects, and lead the analysis, design and implementation of innovative culture, communication, and engagement initiatives to support effective service delivery.
• Plan and coordinate events across the service, including the selection of venues, adherence to event budgets and the arrangement of vendors to best support event objectives.
• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and networks across the department and business partners to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate participation and cooperation.
• Undertake research and analysis of emerging culture and communication issues and trends prevalent in a volunteer organisation that are likely to impact the strategic direction of the department and develop supporting policy and solutions.
• Assist in the preparation and review of reports, briefing notes, submissions, business cases, departmental and other correspondence in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
• Manage team capability and functions, fostering positive teamwork through effective program and financial management, providing guidance and support, and assisting in the ongoing development 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 - Team Leader (leading others)

Vision

• Leads strategically
• Stimulates ideas and innovation

Results

• Develops and mobilises talent
• Inspires others

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
• LoyaltyThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.

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:

• Develop, manage, and evaluate RFSQ culture, communication and engagement frameworks, processes, and practices, including identification of innovative solutions to ensure volunteer communication is administered in a timely and efficient way.
• Proactively develop and manage communication channels and platforms that foster long-term relationships with volunteers and staff, to build a positive RFS experience and culture.
• Provide support to organisational projects, and lead the analysis, design and implementation of innovative culture, communication, and engagement initiatives to support effective service delivery.
• Plan and coordinate events across the service, including the selection of venues, adherence to event budgets and the arrangement of vendors to best support event objectives.
• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and networks across the department and business partners to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate participation and cooperation.
• Undertake research and analysis of emerging culture and communication issues and trends prevalent in a volunteer organisation that are likely to impact the strategic direction of the department and develop supporting policy and solutions.
• Assist in the preparation and review of reports, briefing notes, submissions, business cases, departmental and other correspondence in accordance with departmental requirements and governance.
• Manage team capability and functions, fostering positive teamwork through effective program and financial management, providing guidance and support, and assisting in the ongoing development of staff through performance, planning and review

Accountability

• Fosters healthy and inclusive workplaces
• Demonstrates sound governanc