So you’re interested in joining Operation Flinders on exercise? Are you sure? OK then. Here is the procedure.
Most staff are either referred to the Foundation by an existing staff member or, after hearing of the work of the Foundation, make contact to ascertain “How can I get involved?”
Stand and Headquarters Staff
There are two levels at which one can become involved in the work of the Foundation.
Stand and Headquarters Staff. Most Stand and Headquarters roles are specialist roles either requiring specific skills e.g abseiling instructor certificate, ambulance officer, communications officer etc. Exercise Commanders and Operations Officers (OPSO) are selected from Senior Team Leaders who have completed a number of exercises and who have shown the ability to command the exercise. Exercise Commanders and Operations Officers are selected by the Executive Director with advice from other senior staff members. Applicants with significant Army or Police experience in a senior command position may be recruited directly into the OPSO role. The General Hand position at Headquarters is filled by a Volunteer Helper.
Directly recruited stand and headquarters staff are required to complete an Application Form, Police Record Check, Medical Declaration and Next of Kin Form. Applicants are also required to complete a Psychometric Assessment along with mandated and first aid training. The applicant will then be interviewed by a panel consisting of an experienced Team Leader, the Foundation’s Honorary Psychologist, and the Executive Director. If the applicant satisfactorily passes this interview he or she will be invited to attend an exercise in the first instance in the OPSO role and then if considered competent promoted to Exercise Commander.
Team Staff
This role is the one most frequently sought. Team Leader/Assistant Team Leader applicants complete an Application Form, and Police Record Check. They are also required to complete a Psychometric Assessment prior to the interview. This takes about an hour to complete and is administered at the Foundation's office at Largs North. The applicant is then required to attend an interview. The interview panel consists of an experienced Team Leader, the Foundation's Honorary Psychologist and the Executive Director.
The applicant is advised if he or she has passed the interview. The Honorary Psychologist will make contact with the applicant and discuss the outcomes of the Psychometric Assessment generally over the phone.
If successful all Team Leaders/Assistant Team Leaders are required to undergo a medical check by a Doctor and return a completed Operation Flinders medical report to the Executive Director prior to attending an exercise. The medical check is current for three years except where a member sustains a serious injury or disease then the Executive Director may require a medical clearance prior to attending a further exercise. Operation Flinders requires that field staff have been trained in mandated reporting, first aid training and non-violent crisis intervention (all, including updates are provided by Operation Flinders).
The applicant will then be posted an application form to attend an exercise as an Assistant Team Leader over the next twelve months. It is advisable for the applicant to make phone contact with the Operations Manager who will roster him or her a position.
The applicant will then attend an exercise as a Assistant Team Leader and at the conclusion of the exercise a report will be completed by the Team Leader on the competence of the Assistant Team Leader and make recommendations. The Assistant Team Leader is invited to meet with the Executive Director to discuss the report. Generally Assistant Team Leaders complete two or three exercises before being considered competent to be able to be promoted to Team Leader.
A number of applicants decide that they do not wish to become a Team Leader and remain an Assistant Team Leader. This is also encouraged as senior Assistant Team Leaders are key personnel particularly in the role of supporting first trip Team Leaders.
For more information on the roles of staff can be found on the drop down menu under “The Program”. To discuss the variety of roles available and your suitability for them, please contact our Operations and Logistics Manager.
Trent Harron
Operations & Logistics Manager
OPERATION FLINDERS FOUNDATION
246 Victoria Road, Largs North, SA 5016
T: 08 8242 4688 F: 08 8242 3157
Email:
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