JCU just posted a WHS Support Officer role focused on fire and emergency in Townsville. The ad spells out the work instead of hiding it behind paragraphs of policy speak.

You will coordinate building evacuation drills. You will develop and maintain Emergency Evacuation Plans. You will train members of the Emergency Control Organisation. You will keep first aid kits and emergency equipment inspected and ready. The role sits inside the Work Health and Safety team and supports compliance with the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.

Queensland rules require building occupiers to manage fire safety systems, means of escape, and emergency procedures. A dedicated officer makes sure those obligations stay current across a large campus with multiple buildings and remote sites.

What the job actually asks for

You need the Fire Safety Advisor qualification. That means an approved building fire safety qualification issued in the last three years. The training covers eight units on identifying emergencies, implementing prevention procedures, managing emergency control organisations, and confining small incidents.

Experience running evacuation drills in large or isolated settings helps. So does hands-on work maintaining a first aid management plan, including training staff and checking equipment such as eyewash stations and defibrillators. Clear communication with people from many backgrounds matters because you will liaise with internal teams and external regulators.

The salary range sits at HEWL 5 level: $78,740 to $89,310 plus up to 17 percent super. The position is full-time continuing at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus. Applications close 5 August 2026.

Why this role exists now

Universities run complex sites with labs, student accommodation, and public events. Fire safety and emergency readiness cannot sit as an afterthought. The right person keeps plans updated, runs drills that actually test the systems, and makes sure staff and students know what to do when alarms sound.

Many safety job ads bury the real duties under generic compliance language. This one lists the first things you will coordinate. That saves strong candidates time and helps the university attract people who already know the work.

How to put together a strong application

1. Confirm you hold the current Fire Safety Advisor qualification or can complete it before the role starts.
2. Map your experience against the listed duties. Pull specific examples of drills you ran, plans you wrote, or equipment audits you completed.
3. Write a cover letter that shows how your background matches the day-to-day tasks rather than repeating your resume.
4. Upload both documents through the JCU careers portal before the deadline.

Keep the letter short and concrete. Name the drills, the sites, and the outcomes. Committees read dozens of applications. Specifics stand out.

The position offers five weeks annual leave plus loading, flexible options, salary packaging, and access to on-site facilities. Those details sit in the ad for a reason. Good candidates compare total packages, not just the base salary.

If you have worked in emergency management on large campuses or in regional settings, this role lines up directly. The university values people who can work independently while staying part of the broader safety team.

Practical next step this week

Check whether your Fire Safety Advisor qualification is still current. If it needs renewal, book the approved course now so you can reference it in your application. Then pull three recent examples of evacuation or first aid work and draft the cover letter around them. The closing date is weeks away, but strong applications take time to prepare.

Apply directly through the JCU careers page. The link back for more university safety roles sits at AcademicJobs.com.