State Operations & Communication Centre Supervisor

Surf Life Saving Queensland Inc; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Paid parental leave

Fitness Passport

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Onsite parking

Mermaid Beach office location

Job summary

Surf Life Saving Queensland is seeking a State Operations & Communications Centre Supervisor to lead our state-wide operational communications capability and support the safety of Queensland communities. You will oversee the SOC Centre, coordinate incidents and search & rescue, and mentor a dedicated team to deliver high‑quality outcomes.

This role requires experience in high‑pressure environments, strong stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement across systems, training

Qualifications

• Experience leading or supervising in high-pressure, time-critical environments.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders in emergencies.
• Background in emergency management, incident coordination or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the State Operations & Communications Centre.
• Coordinate emergency incidents and search & rescue across Queensland.
• Supervise and develop a team of Operators and Coordinators.
• Manage operational communications systems supporting critical service delivery.
• Enhance readiness, training standards, QA and performance outcomes.
• Build relationships with emergency services, councils, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement to strengthen operational capability.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team leadership

Emergency management experience

Systems & technology capabilities

Inclusive team culture

Education

Public Safety / Emergency Services / Emergency Communications or related discipline

Job description

Lead Critical Operations. Coordinate Emergency Response. Help Save Lives.

Are you an experienced operational leader who thrives in high-pressure environments? Do you have a passion for emergency management, communications, and coordinating teams when it matters most?

At Surf Life Saving Queensland, we're looking for a dynamic and capable State Operations & Communications Centre Supervisor to lead our state-wide operational communications capability and help support the safety of Queensland communities.

In this pivotal role, you'll oversee the day-to-day operation of our State Operations & Communications Centre (SOCC), supporting emergency response activities, coordinating search and rescue operations, leading a dedicated team, and driving continuous improvement across systems, training, and operational performance.

Why SLSQ?

• Contribute to an organisation that saves lives!
• Increase your take home pay with Salary Packaging
• Paid parental leave available
• Membership to Fitness Passport
• Employee assistance program EAP for health and wellbeing
• Convenient office location in Mermaid Beach
• Onsite parking

What You'll Do:

• Lead the daily operations of the State Operations & Communications Centre.
• Coordinate emergency incidents and search and rescue responses across Queensland.
• Supervise, mentor and develop a team of Operators and Communication Coordinators.
• Manage operational communications systems and technologies that support critical service delivery.
• Enhance operational readiness, training standards, quality assurance and performance outcomes.
• Build positive relationships with emergency services, local councils, volunteers and key stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement to strengthen operational capability.

About You:

• Experience leading or supervising a team in a high-pressure, time-critical environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience in emergency management, emergency services, incident coordination, search and rescue, operational communications or a similar field.
• Strong systems and technology capabilities.
• A commitment to building an inclusive and supportive team culture.
• Experience working in an Emergency Operations Centre, Communications Centre or Coordination Centre environment (highly regarded).
• Knowledge of AIIMS principles (highly regarded).
• Qualifications in Public Safety, Emergency Services, Emergency Communications or a related discipline (highly regarded).
• Surf lifesaving, beach patrol or emergency response experience (highly regarded).

About SLSQ:

Surf Life Saving Queensland is a dynamic, purpose‑driven organisation committed to saving lives and building safer communities. Established in 1930, SLSQ now supports:

• 36,000+ members
• 57 surf lifesaving clubs
• 600+ staff
• Programs reaching 462,000+ community participants annually

Our proud history is built on volunteer dedication, community engagement and a lifelong commitment to beach safety.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is committed to creating a fair, inclusive, and representative organisation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and people with disability. We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by Work180. If you need assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the application process, please submit this form - https://form.jotform.com/252088501136856.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Do you have a blue card or the ability to obtain one?
• Do you have Australian working rights?
• What are your salary expectations?

Built on tradition, forged out of passion, and focused on the future, SLSQ is recognised as the leading authority on coastal and aquatic safety. We are a volunteer-led, professionally managed organisation.

From humble beginnings, when the first official rescue was recorded on a Queensland beach in 1909, to being formally established in 1930. SLSQ has 58 established surf lifesaving clubs with members patrolling 8,000 kilometres of the Queensland coastline. More than 36,000 Queenslanders are volunteer members of a surf lifesaving club and more than 462,000 are a member of an affiliated supporters club. Our vision: zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.

Built on tradition, forged out of passion, and focused on the future, SLSQ is recognised as the leading authority on coastal and aquatic safety. We are a volunteer-led, professionally managed organisation.

From humble beginnings, when the first official rescue was recorded on a Queensland beach in 1909, to being formally established in 1930. SLSQ has 58 established surf lifesaving clubs with members patrolling 8,000 kilometres of the Queensland coastline. More than 36,000 Queenslanders are volunteer members of a surf lifesaving club and more than 462,000 are a member of an affiliated supporters club. Our vision: zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.