Join LGAQ and turn strategy into action – assist Councils with navigating disaster management and lead initiatives that protect Queensland Communities.

The Lead, Disaster Management is a critical role within the Governance & Advisory Services team, responsible for strengthening the capability, preparedness and resilience of Queensland councils in fulfilling their legislated responsibilities within the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA). The role provides high-level advice and support to the Manager, Governance & Advisory Services, Head of Assist and the Association’s Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, it advises and supports member councils across the breadth of disaster management functions – including planning, preparedness, response, recovery, funding arrangements, and legislative and policy requirements.

A key responsibility is leading and coordinating the Council-to-Council (C2C) Support Program, including delivery of deployments, relationship management, off-season development work, and associated financial reconciliations. The role is both practical and operational, often requiring on-the-ground support to councils, hands-on coordination during events, and direct engagement with communities and council officers.

More broadly, the position supports the Governance & Advisory Services team by researching and responding to member enquiries across disaster management and relevant governance matters. This includes interpreting legislation, policy and guidelines, analysing emerging issues, and ensuring councils receive contemporary, best-practice advice that enables confident and compliant decision-making. The role also undertakes policy analysis, prepares issues papers and briefing materials, and leads or contributes to submissions to government on disaster management, funding and resilience matters.

This combination of operational support, technical expertise and strategic policy work ensures councils receive both immediate practical assistance and strong advocacy on the systemic issues that affect their disaster management capability.

This role will require some out of hours work during periods of peak work load.
This is a full time role based in Newstead, Qld. Regular air and road travel is required, including driving a hire vehicle unaccompanied at times. A current Queensland open driver’s licence, with the ability to drive day or night and comply with any licence conditions, is required.  
  
Key Responsibilities

• Be the LGAQ’s primary contact and subject matter expert for local government’s role within the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA), providing authoritative advice and support to member councils, direct Manager, the Head of Assist and the LGAQ’s CEO.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the Governance and Advisory Services Team to provide face-to-face, telephone and email advice to members on disaster management and governance matters, including legislative interpretation, planning requirements, funding arrangements and operational readiness.
• Provide support, advice and expertise to assist councils and relevant stakeholders in disaster management situations, functions and community resilience activities – including the activation, coordination and off-season development of the Council to Council (C2C) arrangements.
• Represent LGAQ on various disaster management committees including the SDCG; participate in meetings, share information, maintain currency of emerging issues, and advocate for local government priorities and systemic improvements.
• Provide strategic advice on matters that impact on disaster and business continuity management, including identifying, drafting and responding to submissions, reviews and enquiries; lead the development of issues papers, consultation responses and policy positions on behalf of local government.
• Lead the review and progression of all LGAQ motions and resolutions within the disaster management portfolio, including coordinating advice, analysis and commentary on all incoming motions relating to disaster management.
• Update and progress all LGAQ motions/resolutions in relation to the disaster management portfolio and lead LGAQ’s review on all incoming motions relating to the disaster management portfolio.
• Coordinate disaster management training of LGAQ staff in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring a consistent understanding of councils’ responsibilities under the QDMA.
• Actively contribute to the Queensland disaster management network and the development of new tools, resources, templates and educational content that assist councils to meet their disaster management and governance obligations – including the Foray (4A) newsletter, consulting services, regional workshops, in-house training and participation in the annual Elected Member Update (EMU) program.
• Lead the development and delivery of the biennial Queensland Disaster Management Conference, working in collaboration with IGEM, QFES, QPS, QRA and other partners; curate content that reflects contemporary challenges, lessons learned and innovations across the sector.
• Fly and/or drive to member sites or other locations, as required, including during disaster events or preparedness activities.

About You
  
To be successful in this role you will have:

• Demonstrated experience and understanding of operations within a local government, state government, government organisation, or other relevant complex environment.
• Proven experience in disaster management, governance, compliance and interpretation of legislation within a complex organisational environment, including an understanding of councils’ legislated roles and responsibilities under the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA).
• Demonstrated experience primarily in the response and recovery phases of disaster management, and a solid understanding of the prevention and preparation phases of the QDMA, including practical operational involvement during disaster events.
• High-level interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships, listen to members, understand their needs and provide meaningful, accurate and timely advice.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, policy analysis, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to prepare internal and external issues papers, briefing notes and submissions.
• Proven track record of working constructively as a team member, sharing information, using initiative and working independently as required to deliver results in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.
• Proven ability to implement innovative ideas, continuously improve services and be supportive of progressive change in the workplace, including developing new tools, resources and member-focused solutions.
• Demonstrated capacity to research, navigate and achieve outcomes when posed with difficult, challenging and complex tasks, including during disaster events or under time-critical operational pressures.
• Strong and demonstrated customer service focus with the capacity to manage multiple complex tasks, prioritise competing demands and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• A current Queensland unrestricted open driver’s licence, including the ability to drive unaccompanied day or night and comply with licence conditions.
• Ability to travel regularly, including to disaster-affected communities when required.

  
About LGAQ
  
The LGAQ is the peak industry body and registered industrial employer organisation for Queensland’s 77 local councils, a sector that employs in excess of 44,000 Queenslanders across circa 250 various professions. We advocate for our members’ interests at a state and federal level and support their drive to innovate and improve service delivery. 
  
We have an inclusive and caring culture underpinned by our CARE Behaviours@LGAQ. LGAQ people demonstrate Caring Accountable Respectful behaviours and our leaders are Engaged. As an equal opportunity employer, LGAQ encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. We are also a pet friendly workplace.
  
We embrace flexible working arrangements in a hybrid model with options for time in the office, working from home and some time travelling to our member councils.
  
LGAQ may undertake a range of pre-employment screening including Police Check and psychometric assessment as part of the selection process.

Your Application
  
Use the link to send us your CV and an optional one page cover letter highlighting your fit for this role. We will commence discussions with suitable candidates as applications are received.
 
If you have any further questions after reading the role responsibilities above, please call our People and Culture team on 3000 2227.