Lead Queensland's explosives regulator, protecting workers and communities through independent, risk-based, and data-driven safety leadership.

Reporting to the General Manager, Operations, the Chief Inspector - Explosives is a senior statutory office holder with responsibility for leading Queensland's explosives inspectorate under the Explosives Act 1999.

This role provides authoritative leadership in a complex, high consequence operating environment, ensuring regulation is delivered independently, proportionately, and effectively.

The Chief Inspector plays a key role in shaping regulatory strategy, provides expert advice to government and industry, represents RSHQ across jurisdictions, and embeds a data-driven approach focused on preventing serious harm.

Job details

Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) is Queensland's independent regulator for some of the state's most complex and high-hazard industries. Operating at the intersection of technical expertise, legislation, enforcement, and education, RSHQ plays a critical role in protecting workers, communities, and industry confidence. Its mandate extends beyond compliance to stewardship, lifting safety performance through intelligence-led, risk-based regulation and constructive engagement with industry, unions, government, and national partners. Integrity, independence, and professionalism underpin everything RSHQ does.

This is a role for a leader who thrives in complexity. You will allocate finite regulatory resources based on risk, maintain public confidence in regulatory decisions, and lead a specialist inspectorate committed to continuous improvement. Success requires strong stakeholder relationships, sound judgement under pressure and the ability to balance education, enforcement and engagement while upholding statutory independence.

About You
You are a credible, values-driven senior leader with deep experience in high-hazard, highly regulated environments. You bring sound judgement, professional courage, and the ability to make defensible decisions in complex, ambiguous and high-consequence situations. Your leadership style is collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in integrity.

You have a strong understanding of contemporary safety and health regulation and practical experience applying risk management principles within hazardous industries, ideally including explosives or hazardous substances. You are comfortable operating as a statutory decision-maker and engaging constructively with industry, workers, prosecutors, and government agencies.

You are an effective communicator, capable of building trust with diverse stakeholders while maintaining regulatory independence. You demonstrate strategic thinking, curiosity about emerging technologies and regulatory practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

To be successful, you will have significant experience in regulated, high-risk operational environments, a proven ability to lead specialist teams, and the confidence to represent the organisation at the most senior levels. A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable, and a current driver's licence is required.

The role description will outline any qualifications, licences and specific requirements of the role. If you are interested in this job we encourage you to read the attached role description and talk to the contact officer.

• Applications will remain current for a period of up to 12 months and may be considered for other vacancies (identical or similar).
• Appointments are subject to criminal history checks in accordance with section 52 of the Public Sector Act 2022.
• Prior to appointment, current and previous public sector employees are required to disclose any history of serious disciplinary action in accordance with section 71 of the Public Sector Act 2022.
• All employees are required to disclose any interest/s that conflict,may conflict or may be perceived to conflict with the discharge of their duties in accordance with section 89, 182 or 183 of the Public Sector Act 2022.

***APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY ONLINE – scroll down and click the ‘APPLY ONLINE' button***

Please note any documents attached to Smart Jobs should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.  Please do not upload zipped files.

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• RSHQ681890 Chief Inspector, Explosives - RD (PDF, 437KB)
  Role Description