2025_Shire of Carnarvon - Community Emergency Services Manager

Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia

Community Emergency Services Manager

The Shires of Carnarvon, Shark Bay and Upper Gascoyne, in partnership with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), are seeking an experienced and motivated Community Emergency Services Manager (CESM) to lead and coordinate emergency management activities across the region. This multifaceted role is responsible for enhancing community safety and resilience through the strategic planning, coordination, and delivery of emergency services. The CESM works across all four phases of emergency management - Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (PPRR), and plays a key leadership role in supporting volunteer Bush Fire Brigades and State Emergency Services Units. As the central link between the Shires, DFES, emergency service volunteers, and the broader community, the CESM fosters collaborative partnerships to improve emergency response capacity and hazard mitigation. The position ensures compliance with relevant legislation, manages emergency service resources, and contributes to the development of safer, more resilient communities. This is a highly dynamic and impactful role, ideal for a professional with strong operational knowledge of emergency services, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a passion for supporting both volunteers and regional communities.

This position is based at the Shire of Carnarvon, while also contributing to the achievement of outcomes for the Shire of Shark Bay, the Shire of Upper Gascoyne, and DFES. The role plays an important part in supporting positive outcomes across these organisations and requires regular travel throughout the regions. As such, the position is expected to uphold and adere to the COde of Conduct of all four organisations, ensuring professionalism and integrity in every aspect of the role. 

Key role outcomes:

• Demonstrate successful leadership through the application of the Shire's core values by promoting a work culture of sustainability, quality improvement, efficiency, and excellent customer service that corresponds to our Code of Conduct and Customer Service Charter.  
• A commitment to a safe work environment and WHS legislation, policy, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with the Local Government Act (WA) 1995 and any relevant legislation

Emergency Management Planning & Delivery

• Develop, implement, review and maintain Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA), Bushfire Risk Managment Plans (BRMP), Recovery and preparedness frameworks, Hazard-specific sub-plans. 
• Ensure compliance with the Emergency Management Act 2005, Bush Fires Act 1954, and DFES/state requirements. 
• Coordinate across the four phases: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery (PPRR). 

Volunteer Brigade & SES Support

• Provide leadership, advice, and operational support to Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades and SES Units. 
• Support volunteer recruitment, retention, development, and recognition, ensuring that volunteers are trained, resources and prepared for incidents. 
• Act as a liaison between volunteers, DFES, and local government. 

Training & Capability Development

• Coordinate of deliver annual training calendars in line with DFES standards. 
• Provide technical guidance and instruction in emergency management best practices. 
• Organise or facilitate simulations, training exercises, and debriefs. 
• Develop education and engagement programs for internal staff and community stakeholders. 

Incident Response & Operational Support

• Represent local government in emergency incidents as part of the Incident Management Team (IMT) or Incident Support Group (ISG). 
• Provide 24/7 response support and attend emergency events where necessary. 
• Lead or support operational response efforts during natural disasters (e.g. bushfire, storm, flood). 
• Assist with post-incident recovery and debrief activities. 

Mitigation & Risk Reduction

• Coordinate fire mitigation activities. 
• Manage or assist with the Mitigation Activity Fund (MAF). 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to reduce community vulnerability to hazards. 
• Provide expert advice on planning applications, hazard mapping, and land use related to bushfire risk. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Interagency Collaboration

• Coordinate and support Local Emergency Committees (LEMC), Bush Fire Advisory Committees (BFAC), and inter-agency groups. 
• Develop and maintain partnerships with DFES, other hazard management agencies, government departments, and local stakeholders. 
• Support community engagement and resilience-building initiatives. 

Grants, Budgets & Reporting

• Manage funding submissions and acquittals (e.g. Local Government Grants Scheme, NDRRA). 
• Track operational and capital expenditure related to emergency management. 
• Provide performance reporting against business plans, KPIs, or grant conditions. 

Governance, Policy & Compliance

• Review and develop local policies, procedures, and practices related to emergency services. 
• Maintain and update plans in accordance with changes in state legislation or regional frameworks. 
• Maintain accurate emergency records and ensure compliance with the State Records Act. 

Work, Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Provide a representative to WHS Committee meetings either as a member and/or as the Chairman of WHS Committee. Make determination (individually or at "ELT" meetings) in relation to relevant recommendations at or from the WHS Committee. 
• Fully understand their WHS responsibilities, relevant legislation, policy, guidelines and standards; and regularly update their knowledge. 
• Provide sufficient resources and ensure managers and supervisors reporting to them fully comply with their WHS responsibilities. 
• Ensure their directorate and department WHS procedures and guidelines are reviewed and updated at appropriate responsibilities. 
• Ensure their doctorate and department WHS procedures and guidelines are reviewed and updated at appropriate intervals. 
• Assist in the maintenance of an effective 'Safety Management System', through effective leadership and consultation with all staff and stakeholders and providing the ncessary time and resources. 
• Lead a continuous improvement culture of safety where best practice initiatives are entrenched in daily business activities. 

Licenses, Registrations, Memberships or Qualifications required of the role: 

• Current MR Western Australia Driver's License
• Tertiary qualifications in Emergency Management, Community Safety, Fire Services, ore a related discipline; or substantial experience in lieu. 

Essential Criteria:

• Highly developed ability to uphold a values-based approach in the workplace. 
• Possession of recognised qualification in Training and Assessment. 
• Accreditation as a Level 1 Incident Controller - Bushfire Hazard. 
• Demonstrated high-level communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and training skills. 
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and oversee prescribed burning and fire managment planning processes.
• Well-developed leadership and management skills, including the effective coordination of financial, human, and physical resources. 
• Significant experience and knowledge of the fire and emergency services industry, particularly in relation to Bush Fire Brigades and Local Government operations. 
• Flexibility and willingness to work outside standard hours, including evenings and weekends, during emergencies or in support of volunteer activities.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience with Local Government
• Qualifications in Leadership & Management. 

Pre-employment screening required for this role: 

• National Police Clearance - Less than 6 months old
• Pre-employment Medical Screening
• Alcohol and Other Drug screening
• Audiometric Screening

Remuneration and Benefits:

The successful applicant will join the Community Planning & Sustainability Team with a starting salary from $87,500 - $97,500 per annum, plus allowances (if eligible) and superannuation. 

Other cash benefits include but not limited to: 

• $6,000.00 p/a Regional District Allowance*
• $12,437.00 p/a Availability Allowance (DFES)*
• $1,640.63 p/a Annual Leave Loading 17.5%
• $11,220.00 p/a Superannuation (Statutory)
• $2,070.00 p/a Superannuation additional 2% (Optional, subject to employee salary sacrifice)*
• $5,000.00 Retention bonus upon completion of 3 years of service*
• $440.00 p/a Annual Leave Travel Assistance 

Leave entitlements* 

• 5 weeks Annual leave
• 2 Local Government Public Holidays
• 10 days of paid Personal Leave
• 10 days of paid Pandemic Leave
• 38 hours of paid Volunteer Emergency Services Leave

Additional Allowances and Subsidies as per Attraction and Retention Policy*

• Salary Sacrificing for a range of benefits
• Local Club Membership Subsidies
• Gym Membership Subsidy
• Annual Pass for Aquatic Centre

*Subject to Corporate Policy

It is not the intention of the position description to limit the scope or accountabilities of the position but to highlight the most important aspects of the position. The aspects mentioned above may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the role. A copy of the position description can be obtained by following this link: 37PD. CESM

For further information about the role please telephone People and Culture Services on (08) 9941 0000 or email hr@carnarvon.wa.gov.au

To apply for the position, please submit your application by following the prompts below and clicking on "Submit Application". Please ensure you provide an up-to-date Resume and a Cover Letter that addresses the Essential and Desirable Criteria. 

Applications close 4pm Friday 5 September 2025.