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Queensland Fire Department

Deputy Chief Officer,

Rural Fire Service Queensland


Kingston Human Capital is proud to partner with the Queensland Family and Child Commission in the search for an exceptional executive to lead the Child Safe Organisations Division.

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 committed to reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through activities identified in the QFD Reframing the Relationship Plan, contributing to Closing the Gap outcomes and building our cultural capability.

About the Queensland Fire Department

Visit Our Website

Explore the Queensland Fire Department's official site for resources, safety tips, and community engagement.

Annual Report

Read our latest annual report to understand our achievements, challenges, and future goals in fire safety and community service.

Strategic Plan

Discover our strategic plan outlining our vision and mission to enhance fire safety and community resilience.

About the opportunity

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 drives key organisational 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 an opportunity to provide executive leadership across Queensland’s rural fire services, combining operational command with strategic influence across the Queensland Fire Department. You will lead critical service delivery, strengthen workforce and volunteer capability, and contribute to the emergency management and community resilience outcomes that matter to Queenslanders. 

What you'll bring

This is an opportunity for an experienced executive leader who can combine operational expertise with strategic leadership to influence rural fire service delivery across Queensland. You will bring the credibility to lead in complex and high-pressure environments, build trusted relationships and strengthen the capability of people and services that support Queensland communities.


  • Lead with operational expertise and bring a strong track record in complex emergency or service environments.
  • Think strategically and translate strategy, policy and emerging trends into effective service delivery.
  • Build trusted partnerships across government, emergency services, industry, community and volunteer organisations.
  • Lead people through change while building capability, performance and accountability.
  • Exercise sound judgement when responding to complex, high-pressure and critical situations.
  • Champion safe, capable and resilient services aligned with community needs and QFD values. 

Essential requirements

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.

How to Apply

QFD 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.

This recruitment process is being managed by Kingston Human Capital in partnership with QFD.


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

Email: gerard@kingstonhumancapital.com.au

Your contact

Gerard Kerr

General Manager, Executive Search and Selection

Get in touch

Confidential enquiries

At Kingston Human Capital, we understand the importance of discretion. Whether you have questions about our recruitment services or need personalized assistance, our team is here to help. Reach out to us, and let’s discuss how we can support your hiring needs.