Executive Officer/Formation Safety Advisor – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0768032
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Executive Officer/Formation Safety Advisor
- Position Number: ARMY/01588/26
- Classification: APS Level 6
- Closing Date: Sunday 14 June 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Hobart TAS
- Future Merit Locations: Various locations – ACT, Various locations – NSW,
- Salary: $99,733 – $112,431
- Office Arrangement: On Site (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
The Tasmania (AAC) Battalion effectively supports Army’s community engagement tasking,
producing young Australians willing and enabled to assume leadership roles or make positive
contributions within their communities and throughout their careers. Our Cadets are aligned to
Defence Values. The wider community’s perception of Army is enhanced. The Cadets are
attracted towards various career pathways, develop interest and skills in emerging technologies
and are encouraged to participate in volunteering in their future careers.
The Tasmania (AAC) Battalion supports approximately 300 cadets across nine community based
units, delivering the Australian Army Cadets youth development program in line with the Chief of
Army’s Strategic Intent. The Battalion has a growth plan that will see up to 20 units by 2030
The XO/FSA is the key conduit between the Tasmania Battalion and National AAC Headquarters
in Canberra and plays a central role in coordinating effort across operations, personnel, and
logistics, and training, safety and governance functions.
You will work closely with Army Reserve personnel, APS staff and Army Cadet Staff (volunteers),
and have ongoing interaction with cadets aged 12–18 during key activities and events.
Our Ideal Candidate
To succeed in this role, you will be a self-starter with strong personal drive and professional
integrity, and demonstrate the ability to:
Lead, coach and mentor a diverse workforce in a complex operating environment.
Build and maintain effective professional relationships with Defence personnel, volunteers,
youth participants and community stakeholders.
Provide sound judgement and advice in relation to WHS, youth safety, risk and incident
management.
Manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Analyse information, reporting and trends to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
Coordinate administrative, logistical and governance support for major activities and events.
Manage budgets, procurement processes and financial reporting in compliance with Defence
requirements.
Communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences, tailoring messages as
required.
Demonstrate discretion and professionalism when managing sensitive Staff and Youth
related matters.
Duties
- The Role
- The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) – Tasmania is seeking a highly capable and motivated
- Executive Officer (XO) / Formation Safety Advisor (FSA) to support the Regional Commander
- Australian Army Cadets – Tasmania (COMD AAC TAS) in the leadership and day-to-day
- management of Headquarters Tasmania AAC Battalion Headquarters.
- This is a senior enabling role providing executive, governance, financial, safety and operational
- leadership across a geographically dispersed and diverse workforce. The position plays a critical
- role in ensuring the safe, compliant and effective delivery of Army Cadet Activities and Program
- across Tasmania, supporting over 300 cadets and a large volunteer workforce.
- As the XO/FSA, you will lead and coordinate an integrated workforce of ADF personnel, APS
- employees and Army Cadet Staff (volunteers). You will prioritise and manage workflows,
- resources, governance, reporting and assurance activities, while fostering strong professional
- relationships across the Battalion, National Headquarters and external stakeholders.
- A key component of this role is the function of Formation Safety Advisor, where you will provide
- expert advice and assurance across Work Health and Safety (WHS), youth safeguarding, risk
- management and incident management, ensuring compliance with Commonwealth and State
- legislation, Defence policy and the Defence Youth Manual including the Defence Youth Safety
- Framework.
- This position offers a significant level of autonomy, leadership responsibility and the opportunity to
- work in one of Army’s most diverse and professionally rewarding environments, contributing
- directly to youth development outcomes across Tasmania.
- In this role, you will:
- Report to the Commander TAS (AAC) Battalion.
- Provide high?level executive, advisory and coordination support to the Commander TAS
- (AAC) Battalion.
- Lead and mentor a mixed workforce of permanent staff, reservists and volunteers.
- Coordinate governance forums, meetings and reporting requirements.
- Oversee WHS, youth safety, security and compliance obligations for the Battalion.
- Act as the Formation Safety Advisor for TAS Bn.
- Manage incident reporting, investigation support, escalation and follow?up.
- Provide budget, procurement and financial governance oversight.
- Support facilities, estate and base management engagement.
- Represent the Commander at meetings and forums when required.
- Align with Defence values.
- The role requires flexibility, including attendance at cadet parade nights (Typically Wednesday
- 6:00–9:00 pm) travel within Tasmania, selected cadet activities and occasional travel interstate.
- Time worked outside core hours will be compensated in accordance with the Defence Enterprise
- Agreement.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance:
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
- Mandatory Qualifications:
- You must be able to demonstrate or obtain:
- Working with Vulnerable People Registration (Employee – Tasmania)
- Satisfy and maintain internal National Police Checks
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance
- Demonstrated finance experience
- HLTAID011 First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain upon commencement)
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (Cert IV WHS) or equivalent / higher qualification(or
- willingness to obtain upon commencement)
- Ability to obtain an ADFIS clearance (For serving and ex-serving military personnel only)
How to Apply
Position Contact Mrs Kristal Van Emmerik, 03 6215 7975
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=B9762649-91A6-E25A-4510-ECF23D2261
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
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