Circular Title: Date: 4 October, 2017 Document ID: 28, 2017/18 Department: From: Audience: Expression of Interest for Duty Officers Perth and South West Lifesaving Services Support Operations Josh McCleery, Lifesaving Officer Phone: 08 9207 6666 (SLSWA Office Hours Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm) Email: JMcCleery@slswa.com.au All Active Patrolling Lifesavers, Directors of Lifesaving Summary: The Support Operations Team are seeking suitable applicants for both Perth and the South West to become Volunteer Duty Officers. Action: Applications are to be submitted to Josh McCleery, Lifesaving Officer JMcCleery@slswa.com.au by 1700hrs Friday October 20 2017 Attachments Duty Officer PD SLSWA Duty Officer Information Duty Officers perform a key leadership role providing 24/7 operational communication, command, coordination and external liaison to emergency incidents within the State of Western Australia. The Duty Officer is authorised to dispatch appropriate SLSWA resources to incidents as requested by emergency services. Expressions of Interest are now sought for position of volunteer Duty Officers for the Perth (Metropolitan) and South West (Bunbury-Margaret River) regions. Appointments to the role are limited places and only suitable applicants who demonstrate the required behaviors, skill, experience and availability will be considered. Successful candidates must be available and committed to participating in training and patrol duties throughout the summer of 2017/18. Please see the attached SLSWA Duty Officer Information document for more detail about the role. Applications are to be submitted to Josh McCleery, Lifesaving Officer JMcCleery@slswa.com.au by 1700hrs Friday October 20 2017. Attached to this Circular Duty Officer PD SLSWA Duty Officer Information James O Toole Chief Executive Officer 1
POSITION DESCRIPTION FORM Department: Positon Title: Position Level: Location: Main Purpose of the Job: Subordinate Staff: Reporting to: Lifesaving Duty Officer Volunteer Perth and South West The Duty Officer will be responsible for the provision of support and general guidance to on-duty lifesaving services, take command of Surf Life Saving response to emergencies at unpatrolled locations/times and represent SLSWA to the media as required. Nil Lifesaving Coordinator Role Summary Duty Officers perform a key leadership role providing 24/7 operational communication, command, coordination and external liaison to emergency incidents within the State of Western Australia. The Duty Officer is authorised to dispatch appropriate SLSWA resources to incidents as requested by emergency services and where the resources are available. The Duty Officer is the SLSWA representative at serious incidents as well as representing SLSWA to the media providing appropriate comment on incidents. Outside of major incidents duty offices are also expected to conduct visits to voluntary patrols to build relationships with clubs, provide guidance and feedback to patrolling members and gain an understanding of each services capability. Duty Officers are required to be available on weekends and public holidays over the patrolling season and will be rostered on approximately one day per month and additionally as required. Accountabilities/Duties Promote a professional image of SLSWA to the general public, members and the media. Promote positive interaction between lifesaving services and external organisations. Act as the Surf Life Saving contact/liaison for emergency services for search and/or rescue incidents or state-wide emergency. Attend all serious incidents to provide support to lifesavers and lifeguards and report back to SurfCom. Liaise with SurfCom to ensure the effective deployment of lifesaving resources to an incident. Assume command of lifesaving resources at major incidents at unpatrolled beaches or outside of rostered patrols. Arrange for suitable debriefings and counselling for personnel when required. Ensure appropriate reports, recommendations and statistical data are forwarded to SurfCom for distribution to relevant SLSWA personnel. Maintain contact with internal staff in relation to reviewing lifesaving service delivery standards and major incidents. Take immediate steps to rectify any serious breach of Surf Life Saving safety policies and/or patrol deficiencies identified that pose an unacceptable risk to the public or members. Where required, act as media liaison and/or direct enquiries to SLSWA management as per standard operating procedures. Build relationships with clubs, provide guidance and feedback to patrolling members and develop an understanding of each services capability through visits to voluntary patrols. Position Description 2017/18 Page 1 of 3
Position Deliverables Key Activities Acting as the Surf Life Saving contact/liaison for emergency services for search and/or rescue incident or state-wide emergency Informing SurfCom of a search and/or rescue incident (as advised by external agencies), which will see them respond their specific callout team and club personnel Portrays a positive image of SLSWA to the media, members and general public Arrange suitable de-briefings and/or peer support to be undertaken by Clubs as required Act as media liaison and/or direct enquiries to SLSWA management as per SOPs Ensure appropriate reports, recommendations, and statistical data are forwarded to SurfCom Building relationships with clubs to gain an understanding of each services capability Performance Indicators First call contact 100% of time Resources activated within 5 minutes of call Positive club and media relationships as assessed by SLSWA Debriefing arranged for 100% of serious incidents as per SOPs and/or requested by clubs 100% of media enquiries handled or redirected to management for serious incidents All appropriate reports, recommendations, and statistical data are forwarded to SLSWA All patrolling members aware of the existence and role of a duty officer Position Description 2017/18 Page 2 of 3
Selection Criteria Experience Be a financial, active member of a SLSWA Club Have completed at least 4 years of duty as a patrolling lifesaver An excellent knowledge of Surf Life Saving operations Skills Able to demonstrate leadership of volunteers Ability to multitask and work under pressure Confidence / ability to make sound judgments Excellent interpersonal skills at all levels Effective negotiation skills Competency /Certifications SLSA Bronze Medallion Advanced Resuscitation / ART Certificate (current) Senior First Aid & Spinal Management (current) Silver Medallion Patrol Captain / Beach Management Current C Class Driver s License National Police Check Special Requirements Ability to work weekends and public holidays An understanding of OH & S and Equal Opportunity Principles and Practices An understanding of risk management principles and practices Desirable Approved by: SLSWA General Manager (Lifesaving and Training) Date: 28 th September 2017 Position Description 2017/18 Page 3 of 3
SLSWA Duty Officer Information
SCOPE This document provides potential Duty Officers with the relevant information that will assist them in their decision to make the commitment to be a member of the Surf Life Saving WA Support Operations Network. Please read the following information carefully and note any questions that you have along the way. It is essential that those looking to commit their time and efforts to this role completely understand the responsibilities of involvement. INTRODUCTION Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) is the leading provider of Coastal Safety in Western Australia with a core purpose of Saving Lives and Building Great Communities. SLSWA s Support Operations compliment and provide direct or remote support to Surf Life Saving Clubs, SLSWA Lifeguard Services, hazard management agencies and local community management groups within the emergency management sectors. Duty officers perform a key leadership role throughout the patrolling season including 24/7 operation, communication, coordination and external liaison in response to coastal emergencies. Duty officers have access to training and development courses in media, Marine Search and Rescue on Scene Controller and Australasia Inter-Service Incident Management Systems (AIIMS) to ensure they are appropriately equipped to respond to incidents as requested and to represent SLSWA in critical incidents and media relations. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DUTY OFFICERS The main responsibilities of a Duty Officer include: Conduct visits to voluntary patrols to build relationships with clubs, provide guidance and feedback to patrolling members and gain an understanding of each services capability. Attending all serious incidents along the service area to provide assistance to lifesaving and lifeguard services as required. Assist in ensuring the effective deployment of lifesaving resources to an incident. Assume command of lifesaving resources at major incidents where a patrol captain is not present. Provide support and guidance to patrol captains at major incidents or busy beach locations where support is requested. Act as the SLSWA representative to the media providing appropriate comments on incidents as required. Arrange for suitable debriefings and counselling for personnel when required. A typical day will likely run as follows: Duty Officers are required to be on call for 24 hours from 6pm on the day prior to a rostered shift through to 6pm on the day of their shift. Duty Officers must collect a radio from SurfCom (located in SLSWA Head Office) before 6pm on the day prior to their shift. At this time all emergency calls will be diverted to their phone. (Duty Officer phone, shirt and SLSWA vehicle, if applicable will also be collected at this time). SLSWA Duty Officer Information 2017/18 2
At the start of the day Duty Officers will call and check in with SurfCom and advise them what area they will be in for the day and which clubs they plan to visit. Throughout the mornings Duty Officers will be expected to be active along the coast visiting beaches, checking out conditions and meeting with club patrolling members. Duty Officers will respond and attend to any major incidents or callouts and provide assistance as required. During the afternoon Duty Officers will remain on call and respond as required until 6pm, at this time calls will be diverted to the following day s Duty Officer or SLSWA Staff. Radios can be returned to SurfCom the following day along with any completed paperwork/logbooks if required. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT To be considered for appointment as a Duty Officer there are a number of prerequisite certifications and competencies to be fulfilled. Given the role and responsibilities of the position a knowledge of and experience in life saving practices and policy is a conservable requirement. Once selected duty officers will be offered additional training to ensure they are remain prepared for the role. Full requirements and a list of accountabilities/duties for Duty Officers are listed in the attached job description. PRE-REQUISITES ESSENTIAL Possess and be proficient in the following qualifications: SLSA Bronze Medallion Advanced Resuscitation / ART Certificate (current) Senior First Aid & Spinal Management (current) Current C Class Drivers License National Police Check For training in any required certifications, please contact your local surf life saving club Training Coordinator for details. PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS Duty Officers operate throughout the patrolling season (1 st October through to 30 th April) from 8am-5pm on weekends and public holidays. Duty Officers will normally only be rostered approximately 1 day per month with time recognised by SLSWA as official patrol hours and recorded into SurfGuard. These hours may be used by members as accumulation of patrol hours to satisfy minimum patrol requirements for competition purposes. These activities and time contributed may not however diminish the requirements of patrolling duties each member may have with their own Surf Life Saving Club in relation to the completion of patrols (rostered or voluntary). Members are advised to discuss with their respective club. SLSWA Duty Officer Information 2017/18 3
SELECTION PROCESS Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3: Submit CV and Statement of Claim - Closing Date: 5pm Friday 20 th October 2017 Shortlisting of Applicants Induction of Selected Applicants (Date TBC) Applicants wishing to nominate for a position as a Duty Officer for the Perth or South West regions must provide the following: 1. CV outlining experience Surf Life Saving and any relevant life experience. Maximum 2 pages. 2. Statement of Claim Maximum 1-page Statement of Claim providing detail of experiences and attributes that will contribute positively to SLSWA and Club Lifesaving operations in performing the role of Duty Officer. Please nominate which service you are applying for (Perth or South West). Applications are to be submitted to Josh McCleery, Lifesaving Officer JMcCleery@slswa.com.au by 5pm Friday 20 th October. Any enquiries please contact Josh McCleery, Lifesaving Officer JMcCleery@slswa.com.au SLSWA Duty Officer Information 2017/18 4