Presumptive Rights Advisory Committee - Committee Member

The Presumptive Rights Advisory Committee (PRAC) is established under the Firefighters' Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019 (the Act).

The Act gives career and volunteer firefighters and vehicle and equipment maintenance employees presumptive rights to compensation if they have been diagnosed with one of 12 types of cancer and meet certain other qualifying requirements.

The Committee Member’s key accountabilities include:

• Act as an Advisory Committee Member to provide expert opinions in conjunction with other Advisory Committee Members and in accordance with Regulations, from time to time.
• Inquire into and become informed of any matters relevant to the request for an expert opinion.
• Provide the Advisory Committee’s expert opinion including the reasons for the opinion in writing to WorkSafe within the timeframes specified in the Regulations.
• Liaise with WorkSafe Victoria, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and other stakeholders where required.

Meeting up to two days per month and two full days of workshops per year (where appropriate).

To be eligible as a Committee Member of the PRAC, a person must be able to make an informed and independent assessment of the matters to be considered by the PRAC and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Significant and substantial expertise and experience in firefighting, fire response, fire management or another relevant field.
• Significant and substantial expertise and experience relevant to the scientific research of the relationship between firefighters’ occupational exposure and cancers.
• Is an Australian lawyer.

Other highly desirable skills of the following:

• Experience in management of volunteer based fire or emergency service; including demonstrated understanding and experience in the management and operation of a volunteer-based fire or emergency service.
• Organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to plan and manage resources.
• Conceptual and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to critically analyse problems to address issues and complexities.
• Stakeholder engagement, including the ability to engage with volunteer firefighters and local brigade leaders, senior leaders and executives and provide robust, transparent and sound advice in relation to specific subject matter.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise and consult with employees and management at all levels across the organisation, as well as government officials, stakeholders and senior external associates. Ability to develop and document clear and concise opinions in accordance with the Regulations.
• Well-developed judgement abilities, including the ability to show initiative and innovation in the development of solutions and managing issues.

Applications must be received by 18 June 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications should include a resume and short covering letter:

• addressing the key accountabilities and selection criteria, and
• detailing the relevant experience, skills and attributes that you would bring to the role.

If you would like help understanding this document or would like to receive it in another format phone 0417 981 338, using the National Relay Service 133 677 if required, or email Stacey Jordan on Stacey.Jordan@justice.vic.gov.au.