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

Psychological and Support Services (PaSS) facilitates a holistic approach to the management of the psychological, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing of QFD members. As part of the Psychological and Support Services, the Fire and Emergency Support Services Network (FESSN) team works collaboratively with other statewide stakeholders to deliver specialised prevention and intervention services to enable a well-being focused culture and delivering positive mental health outcomes to all staff and volunteers. 

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Psychological and Support Services, you will be a key leader in the implementation and delivery of overarching mental health programs within specific regions, to not only ensure the department meets its obligations to the mental health of its people but works to achieve their optimal mental health outcomes. You will be responsible for providing leadership and delivery of best practice mental health services and programs for staff, volunteers and family members, in collaboration with Program Managers for a consistent statewide approach. This can include but is not limited to triaging people matters, delivery of short-term solution focused counselling, and delivery of training.

Key requirements

Mandatory requirements

• Registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency; or 
• Mental Health accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Highly desirable requirements 

• Qualifications in a relevant field of post-graduate study (e.g. Organisational Psychology) would be highly regarded.
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire and apply knowledge of Queensland Mental Health Service delivery, legislation, policies, plans and strategies related to mental health information development.
• Experience leading a mental health service delivery team and/or program within a large and complex government sector organisation. 
• Experience in the development and delivery of evidence-based interventions to manage proactive mental health initiatives and in the mitigation of psychosocial risk.

Your key accountabilities

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

• Lead, manage and contribute to the delivery of best practice mental health services and programs for QFD staff, volunteers and family members (e.g. triaging people matters, delivery of short-term solution focused counselling, and delivery of training).
• Utilise data drawn from regional service delivery statistics and stakeholder consultation to develop regional positive mental health plans with specific deliverable actions and measurable outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with Program Managers to provide consistency, governance and continual development of FESSN services statewide.
• Lead regional support networks (Peer Support and Chaplaincy) including day to day triaging of crisis support to meet effective service delivery objectives. 
• Deliver training, events and workshops for regional workforce, Peer Support Officers and other relevant cohorts to promote positive outcomes across the region.
• Research and prepare complex submissions, briefs, reports and correspondence relating to psychological and support services across the department and industry, in accordance with departmental requirements and governance. 
• Establish and maintain collaborative networks and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to promote positive outcomes for QFD. 
• Represent the department on committees, working groups and whole-of-government forums to build awareness and ensure a consistent approach relating to wellbeing.

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

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 QFD shared values of:

• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Loyalty