Emergency Management Officer

Organisational Profile

GEGAC is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based in Bairnsdale Victoria. Consisting of about 180 staff, GEGAC is a Not-for-Profit organisation that delivers holistic services in the areas of Primary Health, Social Services, Elders & Disability and Early Childhood Education.

GEGAC advocates for the self-determination of the Aboriginal community by prioritising services that enhance social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, with culture at the heart of everything we do.

Position Purpose

The purpose of emergency management is to protect life, property, culture, and the environment by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies. At GEGAC, the Emergency Management Officer (EMO) ensures this purpose is applied to GEGAC’s assets, facilities, and people. The role represents GEGAC in emergency management structures and advocates for the needs of our organisation, Elders, clients, and staff. It also facilitates public education programs that build resilience across the Aboriginal community.

The role focuses on: Prevention: Supporting actions that reduce the likelihood of emergencies affecting GEGAC sites. Mitigation: Implementing measures to minimise the impact of hazards on facilities, staff, and clients. Preparedness: Ensuring GEGAC has realistic, tested emergency plans and trained staff. Response: Representing GEGAC and advocating for organisational and community needs in multiagency settings and ensuring timely internal communication. Recovery: Assisting in restoring GEGAC operations and facilities and ensuring our community has access to recovery support. The EMO also holds responsibility for ensuring appropriate emergency management arrangements at all GEGAC-organised events, including the appointment of a designated Event Controller / Chief Warden, and carries accountability for compliance with safety, evacuation, and incident management obligations. This is a part-time role under normal conditions, but may be required to work full-time during emergency events, acting as GEGAC’s Emergency Management Liaison Officer (EMLO).

Key Selection Criteria

• A demonstrated interest and/or understanding of the Aboriginal community and local Aboriginal culture.
• Exercise responsibility, work independently providing specialist support to a range of programs and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, support and provide leadership to a staff team.
• Provide advice on matters of complexity within the work area and / or specialist area.
• Ability to communicate information in a clear, concise, respectful, and culturally appropriate manner.
• Willingness to work full-time temporarily during emergency events
• Excellent customer service skills with proven capacity to engage and develop positive working relationships with people and stakeholders from a diverse range of backgrounds including program clients, colleagues, businesses, other organisations, and the wider community.
• Demonstrated capacity to maintain sensitive information, always maintain confidentiality and remain impartial.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to be self-motivated with strong time management and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Experience in Microsoft Office computer packages.

Qualifications and Registrations Requirement (Essential or Desirable).

• Certificate IV or Diploma in Emergency Management, Disaster Resilience, Community Safety, Risk Management, or a related field (if no tertiary qualification) ESSENTIAL
• Incident Management or Liaison Officer training (AIIMS, EMLO, or equivalent) ESSENTIAL
• Demonstrated experience in emergency management planning, including risk assessments, evacuation and recovery planning, and preparedness activities ESSENTIAL
• Proven ability to liaise with external agencies (CFA, SES, DEECA, Councils, DFFH, DH) during emergencies ESSENTIAL
• Experience in staff training, drills, and community education programs on preparedness and resilience ESSENTIAL
• Knowledge of Victorian emergency management frameworks and relevant legislation ESSENTIAL
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public presentations ESSENTIAL
• Cultural awareness and competence, with the ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities ESSENTIAL
• Valid driver’s licence ESSENTIAL
• A satisfactory Working with Children Check and Fit2Work Police Check ESSENTIAL
• Tertiary qualification in Emergency Management, Disaster Resilience, Community Safety, Risk Management, or a related field DESIRABLE
• First Aid (HLTAID011 or above) DESIRABLE
• Understanding of community development principles and resilience building in diverse communities DESIRABLE
• Knowledge of business continuity planning and organisational risk management DESIRABLE
• Previous experience working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) or not-for-profit setting DESIRABLE
• Understanding of community development principles and resilience building in diverse communities DESIRABLE
• Familiarity with East Gippsland communities and Gunaikurnai Country DESIRABLE
• Skills in digital media, graphic design, or video production DESIRABLE
• A person of Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander background DESIRABLE
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccinated to align with GEGAC requirements ESSENTIAL

How to apply for this job

A copy of the position description can be obtained by copying and pasting this URL into your browser: https://gegac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-Emergency-Management-Officer-PD-.pdf

A copy of the position description can also be obtained by emailing HR@gegac.org.au.

Applicants must address the key selection criteria for shortlisting.

Any applications that have not addressed the key selection criteria will not be considered during the shortlisting process.

Applications can also be emailed to HR@gegac.org.au.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 12 October 2025

No late applications will be considered (unless under exceptional circumstances).

A valid Working with Children Check and Police check is mandatory to work in this organisation.

"this advertisement is pursuant to the 'special measures' provision at section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)"