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Rural Fire Service Queensland
Deputy Chief Officer, Strategic Capability
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About the Rural Fire Service Queensland
OUR HISTORY
Rural fire service in Queensland has a long history of community-based fire protection. The Prevent the Careless Use of Fire Act 1865 established the first legislation for rural fire management, prompting rural landowners to work together to protect their properties and communities.
Following the Rural Fires Act 1927, the first Rural Fire Board was formed. After World War II, rural communities again began organising local volunteer firefighting services, leading to the reformation of the Rural Fires Board in 1948 and significant growth in rural brigades across Queensland.
Today, Rural Fire Service Queensland is part of the Queensland Fire Department, with approximately 28,000 volunteers members across around 1,400 brigades providing dedicated fire services across Queensland.
The Queensland Fire Department is responsible for delivering fire and emergency services to Queensland communities. Within QFD, Rural Fire Service Queensland is a distinct fire service with a dedicated focus on bushfire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) is Queensland's community-based volunteer emergency service and the lead service for the prevention and control of bush and grass fires across the state.
RFSQ works across rural, semi-rural and urban fringe communities, partnering with local government, land managers, emergency services and community organisations to strengthen bushfire resilience and support communities before, during and after emergencies.
RFSQ is led by the Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland, and consists of one directorate, Strategic Capability and four regions.
Strategic Capability provides statewide support across:
- Training and Capability
- Business Performance and Support
- Bushfire Resilience and Operations Support
- Volunteering and Culture
The four regional structures provide operational leadership and coordination across Queensland:
South Western Region
- Darling Downs District
- Warrego District
Northern Region
- Tropical Coast District
- Savana District
South Eastern Region
- Brisbane Valley District
- South East Coast District
Central Region
- Wide Bay Burnett District
- Central Queensland District
About RFSQ
Explore the official website for resources, safety tips, and community engagement.
Annual Report
Strategic Plan
About the opportunity
Lead at the forefront of Queensland’s public sector fire and emergency management, where strategic decisions directly influence community safety, preparedness and resilience.
The immediate opportunity is the Deputy Chief Officer, Strategic Capability, a significant executive leadership role within Rural Fire Service Queensland. The position provides an opportunity to strengthen strategic capability, support future service planning and contribute to the organisation’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from fire and emergency events.
The Deputy Chief Officer, Strategic Capability role is based at Albion HQ. The recruitment process will also include other RFSQ regions, which are based in regional centres across Queensland.
The role will suit an executive who brings credible rural fire experience together with strategic leadership, sound judgement and a strong commitment to public sector outcomes. Working within the broader Queensland Fire Department, the Deputy Chief Officer, Strategic Capability will contribute to the continued development of a capable, resilient and effective rural fire service.
Reporting to the Chief Officer, Rural Fire Service Queensland, the Deputy Chief Officer will lead the operational and financial delivery of their region, overseeing people, resources, systems and processes to achieve effective and efficient rural fire services. As a member of the QFD Senior Leadership Team, the role also contributes to the strategic direction of the broader department and the delivery of Queensland Government priorities.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Lead strategic resource planning and regional service delivery, ensuring the effective use of human, financial and capital resources to meet government and corporate objectives
- Command and lead major fire and disaster management responses, including undertaking Regional Fire Controller or State Fire Controller responsibilities and effectively responding to statewide or critical emergencies
- Contribute to RFSQ strategic direction and future service planning, providing operational insight, forecasting and strategic advice and recommendations to the Chief Officer
- Provide proactive and detailed advice to QFD Senior Executives and the Minister on complex fire and emergency management issues
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships across government, emergency services, local government, industry, community and volunteer organisations to strengthen Queensland’s disaster management system
- Lead workforce capability and organisational change, including the recruitment, retention, training and engagement of RFSQ’s large and diverse volunteer workforce
- Drive performance, accountability, governance, risk management and continuous improvement, ensuring operations align with legislation, government policy, corporate direction and contemporary best practice.
About you
This is a significant executive opportunity to lead rural fire service delivery while influencing broader emergency management outcomes across Queensland. The role will strengthen operational capability, workforce and volunteer capacity, service improvement and community resilience, while providing strategic leadership in a complex and high-consequence environment.
What you'll bring
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Extensive experience in operational leadership, strategy implementation and service improvement within a large and complex organisation.
- A strong track record of contributing to strategy and policy development.
- Demonstrated executive leadership capability, including the ability to make insightful decisions in complex environments.
- Proven ability to build enduring relationships across government, emergency services, community, industry and volunteer organisations.
- Demonstrated capability in developing and mobilising people and leading organisational and cultural change.
- Rural firefighting experience, rural fire incident control expertise, or rural fire prevention expertise. This is a mandatory operational requirement.
What’s in it for you?
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful statewide contribution through a senior leadership role at the heart of Queensland’s rural fire and emergency management system.
- Make a difference across Queensland through effective rural fire service delivery and community resilience.
- Influence strategic direction as a member of the QFD Senior Leadership Team.
- Lead during critical incidents through major fire and disaster management responses.
- Build strong partnerships across government, emergency services, industry, community and volunteer organisations.
- Strengthen workforce capability across RFSQ’s large and diverse volunteer workforce.
- Drive continuous improvement across service capability, performance, organisational change and emergency preparedness.
How to Apply
Rural Fire Service Queensland are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by Work180 and celebrate all diversity by committing to a culture where people feel safe, respected, valued and engaged.
Applications, including your resume and a two-page summary outlining how your experience, abilities and knowledge are relevant to this role, should be submitted via the Apply Now button.
Please note: if you click “Apply Now” below, you will be automatically redirected to the RFSQ's recruitment website to complete your application.
This recruitment process is being managed by Kingston Human Capital in partnership with the Rural Fire Service Queensland.
For confidential enquiries or further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Gerard Kerr, General Manager, Executive Search and Selection at Kingston Human Capital.
Mobile: 0432 544 444
Your contact
Learn more about RFSQ
Explore essential resources to help you navigate your journey with Rural Fire Service Queensland.
Working with RFSQ
Learn more about careers with Rural Fire Service Queensland and the opportunities available across the organisation.
Volunteerism Strategy 2026-2030
Explore the Volunteerism Strategy 2026–2030 and discover how you can help shape the future of volunteering across Queensland’s emergency services.
Application Guide
Review the application process and guidance to help you prepare and submit your application.
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