WA Local Government Association

Senior Policy Advisor Emergency Management

Senior Policy Advisor Emergency Management

Full-Time

Total Package $138,309.02 per annum (inclusive of superannuation)

• Lead development of emergency management policies and submissions from inception to advocacy

• Work with WALGA policy experts to make a difference to local communities

• Develop relationships with Member Councils, Government Agencies and other organisations to drive positive change

Diverse policy work that makes a difference

Do you have a passion for emergency management and want to see tangible outcomes from your work?

At WALGA, the work you do as the Senior Policy Advisor Emergency Management will focus on implementing critical changes that result in better outcomes for Local Governments and help keep WA communities safe.

Our Emergency Management team is central to delivering on WALGA’s vision to be an authoritative voice and trusted partner for Western Australian Local Government. This role is pivotal to WALGA’s Emergency Management aspirations and is therefore highly valued and visible across the organisation as well as the Western Australian Emergency Management sector.

While lots of jobs promise variety, there aren’t many policy positions where you’ll get to own the process from inception to advocacy.

What do we mean by that?

As an emergency management professional, you will be flexible and agile thriving in environment marked by constant change and ready to shift your focus and respond to emerging opportunities to make a difference.

When a challenge is presented, you’ll take the initiative to find creative and innovative solutions, by undertaking consultations, researching best practice or analysing data. You’ll work with Member Councils, government departments and emergency management committees and working groups to develop policy positions, and advocate for their adoption by State and Federal Governments.

So, you’ll be involved in every step in the process - far from just a cog in the wheel!

What does a typical week look like?

This fast paced, quick-thinking team provides policy support across the spectrum of emergency management roles, responsibilities and impacts for local government - from bushfire management to community-led recovery, from the technicality of total fire bans to the complexity of community resilience.

With 28 Prescribed State Hazards, a complex State Emergency Management Framework with multiple touch points for local governments, and the consolidated emergency services legislation on the horizon, there is never a dull moment.

As well as developing policy, you could be contributing to contemporary policy change such as the development of an Emergency Management Sector Adaptation plan, implementation of the Commonwealth Review on Disaster Funding, or coordinating Local Government consultation on the Consolidated Emergency Services Legislation.

Throughout the year you will represent WALGA at a range of emergency management working groups and committees and always be there to provide support and advice to our 139 Member Councils with opportunities to travel around Western Australia to work on issues that impact our regional as well as our metropolitan members.

Enough about us. Let’s talk about you.

If you’re passionate about all aspects of emergency management, naturally curious and really want to be part of policy development that leads to real change, this could be the right role for you.

You’ll also enjoy interaction, consulting externally and be happy and proud to present your work internally and externally. Like us, you’ll take satisfaction from using research to develop evidence-based policy solutions. You will have a sound knowledge of emergency management principles and issues in Western Australia and be excited about the opportunity that this role offers to learn more.

Your outstanding written, analytical and conceptual skills, including an ability to structure problems, analyse policy and legislation, will make you an impactful advocate for WALGA’s Members - someone who can get to the bottom of a wicked policy problem, generate effective solutions and communicate them influentially.

Why you’ll love working here

At the heart of our organisation is our people. Most of our employees work at head office, based in West Leederville and we also have some regional employees.

We pride ourselves on offering a safe and inclusive culture with fantastic workplace benefits and entitlements, including setting budget aside for professional development. What we are most proud of is getting the chance to work on niche and interesting projects, with some incredibly talented people, on issues that matter.

In addition to 6 weeks’ (30 days) annual leave and a suite of flexible working options, our West Leederville office is centrally located within easy reach of public transport, bike paths and paid parking options. We also provide excellent end of trip facilities for those arriving by alternate methods of transport. Our Thrive wellbeing program means you’ll get to enjoy regular activities and initiatives (in fact we could be at a lunch and learn or a healthy mind class whilst you’re reading this.)

We also have an active social club to cater for all interests, and if that doesn’t give you enough of a feel for our vibe, we can offer you book club, trivia nights and a pet wall where we proudly show off our fur babies. We are also committed to being a menopause friendly employer. So, when we say we look after our people and each other, we mean it.

Apply now

Roles like this don’t come along often, so if this sounds like the role you have been looking for, please apply.

If you’re keen to talk it through first, please contact our Policy Manager Emergency Management Rachel Armstrong rarmstrong@walga.asn.au

Applications will close 12.00pm Friday, 31 January but please note we may commence interviews upon receipt and reserve the right to close the position early.

To view the position description and apply please visit our careers page

WALGA encourages people from different backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and people with disabilities.

This role is being sourced directly by WALGA, and we respectfully request no agencies approach.