Commissioned Fire Officers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Commissioned Fire Officers provide high level management to support the running of geographical or operational sections of a fire service.
Specialisations: Fire Investigator, Inspector (Fire Services).
Commissioned Fire Officers gain their position after extensive experience as a fire fighter and progressing through the ranks of their profession.
Tasks
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Establishes administrative and operational procedures by taking account of the organisation's operating environment.
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Makes policy decisions and accepts responsibility for operations, performance of staff, achievement of targets and adherence to budgets, standards and procedures.
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Establishes lines of control and delegates responsibilities to subordinate staff.
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Represents the organisation in dealings with other organisations and the public.
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Controls the collection and interpretation of management information to monitor performance.
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Controls the use of, and accounting for, the assets and facilities of the organisation.
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Prepares budgets and other management plans.
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Prepares reports, authorises the release of information and handles public relations activities.
Characteristics
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Enterprising
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Helping
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Light
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Commissioned Officers (Management), under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 97% of people employed as Commissioned Fire Officers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 31 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 47 hours per week in their main job. This is 3 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Commissioned Fire Officers work in the Public administration and safety industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
| State | Commissioned Fire Officers | All Jobs Average |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 29.8 | 31.6 |
| VIC | 22.1 | 25.6 |
| QLD | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| SA | 7.8 | 7.0 |
| WA | 12.2 | 10.8 |
| TAS | 3.7 | 2.0 |
| NT | 2.1 | 1.0 |
| ACT | 2.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 51% of Commissioned Fire Officers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Commissioned Fire Officers is 50 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 7% of the workforce. This is 41 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
| Age Bracket | Commissioned Fire Officers | All Jobs Average |
|---|---|---|
| 15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| 20-24 | 0.3 | 9.3 |
| 25-34 | 5.2 | 22.9 |
| 35-44 | 23.8 | 22.0 |
| 45-54 | 44.1 | 21.6 |
| 55-59 | 19.0 | 9.0 |
| 60-64 | 6.2 | 6.0 |
| 65 and Over | 1.3 | 4.2 |
| Median Age | 50 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Commissioned Fire Officers gain their position after extensive experience as a fire fighter and progressing through the ranks of their profession.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Public Safety VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
| Type of Qualification | Commissioned Fire Officers | All Jobs Average |
|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 13.1 | 10.1 |
| Bachelor degree | 10.4 | 21.8 |
| Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 38.0 | 11.6 |
| Certificate III/IV | 29.9 | 21.1 |
| Year 12 | 5.2 | 18.1 |
| Year 11 | 1.5 | 4.8 |
| Year 10 and below | 1.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Commissioned Officers (Management) who can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people, provide leadership, direction and planning.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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63%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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61%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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59%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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57%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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55%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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55%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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54%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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54%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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54%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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54%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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54%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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52%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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52%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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46%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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80%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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75%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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74%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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66%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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62%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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60%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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59%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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58%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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57%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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54%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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53%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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53%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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52%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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50%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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50%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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50%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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49%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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45%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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44%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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42%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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61%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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61%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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61%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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59%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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57%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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55%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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55%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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55%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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55%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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54%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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54%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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52%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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52%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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52%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
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50%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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50%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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81%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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78%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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76%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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75%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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75%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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75%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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74%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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73%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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73%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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73%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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71%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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69%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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69%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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69%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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67%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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67%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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63%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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62%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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61%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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59%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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76%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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38%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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86%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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76%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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74%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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71%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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92%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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92%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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91%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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89%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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89%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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87%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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87%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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87%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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87%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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87%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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86%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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86%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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85%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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84%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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84%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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80%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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77%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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77%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 33-1021.01 - Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.