Principal Community Recovery Officer

The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers has an opportunity for a Principal Community Recovery Officer in Gold Coast and South East Region.

The Principal Community Recovery Officer is responsible for working with local councils and coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities, supporting affected communities and other areas across Queensland.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of community recovery strategic and operational plans.
• Provide strategic advice to Senior Leaders to manage community recovery services in response to disasters, crises, and incidents.
• Represent the department at local, district, and regional levels to collaborate with local councils, government agencies, and non-government organisations in planning and implementing human and social recovery efforts.
• Assess disaster events, prepare briefings, and influence continuous improvements in disaster recovery efforts.
• Support individuals and communities with complex needs through multi-agency referrals to financial, psychological, and social services.
• Participate in an on-call roster to provide after-hours support for disaster management groups and community recovery teams.

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

• Disaster Response & Recovery Leadership: Lead coordinated recovery efforts, acting autonomously in crisis situations while ensuring a structured and well managed response.
• Community Engagement & Relationship Management: Build and maintain relationships with local government agencies (LGAs), community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure tailored community recovery efforts.
• Strategic Planning & Risk Management: Anticipate challenges, balancing immediate response needs with sustainable recovery planning.
• Adapting to a Changing Environment: Remain adaptable and flexible, ensuring consistency in disaster recovery responses across regions.
• Emotional Resilience & Logical Decision-Making: Balance empathy with strategic reasoning to make objective, high-impact decisions.
• Workforce Planning & Future Growth: Contribute to workforce planning as additional recovery roles may be created in the next 6-12 months.
• Cross-Sector Skills & Transferability: We welcome applicants with transferable skills in crisis management, emergency response, and social services leadership.
• Cultural & Community Awareness: An understanding of the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, rural and remote populations, and socially vulnerable groups is highly valued.

About You

• Travel is required, and a current open driver's license is essential.
• A strong understanding of Queensland's disaster management system is required.
• Candidates should have experience in community building, resilience planning, and disaster recovery.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement and relationship-building.

We encourage First Nations applicants and people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to Apply

Click to apply for this opportunity or visit: https://www.ontalent.com.au

For inquiries, contact:

• Ashleigh McMillan - (07) 3305 5800