The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an independent statutory office established to protect the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity, and children and young people in the child protection system and other visitable sites.

Join us as we protect, support, advocate, educate and empower, to build a Queensland where our most vulnerable community members can live with dignity. Please visit the OPG website to learn more.

• Permanent flexible full-time
• SO Classification
• Cairns or Townsville region

about the role

The Director Investigations and Guardianship (North) is a senior leadership role responsible for leading delivery of guardianship services in Queensland northern zone where the Public Guardian is appointed for personal matters, and for statewide investigations into allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults with impaired decision-making capacity.

The role may from time to time also lead delivery of other statewide guardianship related services.

The role delivers on activities that contribute to national and state strategies to end the abuse or neglect of older Australians, and guardianship priorities to contribute to upholding the rights of the Queenslanders OPG serves and places their voices at the centre of what we do.

key responsibilities

• Strategically lead delivery of investigations and guardianship services with a strong client centred focus.
• Ensure contemporary practice in human services investigations, and decision-making for clients, that complies with the Guardianship and Administration Act, the Public Guardian Act and Powers of Attorney Act, and administrative law principles.
• Strategic use of data and quality review outcomes to deliver service excellence and a culture of continuous improvement to practice quality and advocacy.
• Work in partnership with the Director Guardianship (South) to coordinate consistent delivery of guardianship services across Queensland.
• Provide strategic leadership as a member of OPG’s senior leadership team.
• Provide strategic high-level advice to the Deputy Public Guardians and the Public Guardian on matters relating to guardianship and relevant investigations.
• Establish collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the business unit in relation to work planning and review, staff development, team management and communication to ensure the efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources.

mandatory qualifications and conditions

Possession of a C class driver’s license is a mandatory requirement for this role, as travel is required to attend meetings, events and visits in a range of locations that are often not accessible by alternative means.

Tertiary qualifications or relevant work experience relating to law, social, health, behavioural sciences or related disciplines is highly desirable.

A position description is attached.