Supervisory Manager Gateway – CM and WM

Closing date: 27/05/2025

Salary: Crew Manager Dev: £40,041 – £41,767 Crew Manager Competent

Watch Manager Dev: £42,672 – £46,707 Watch Manager Competent

RDS:  In line with national payscales and subject to cover

Location:  Various roles and locations across Bedfordshire

Closing date: 27/05/2025

The service is seeking to expand our Supervisory Manager talent pools for potential operational vacancies arising. This is an exciting time to be joining our teams, to help deliver our ambitious plans for the future. As part of our succession planning, the Service is opening a gateway process.  This invites applications to create talent pools eligible for consideration for temporary or substantive appointment to Crew Commander and Watch Commander vacancies arising over the next 6-12 months

Eligibility

We welcome gateway applications from those currently serving within a UK Fire authority as:

Substantive and Competent Crew Commander (on Wholetime Duty System) – for entry to the Watch Commander Talent pool (internal/external applicants)
Substantive and Competent Crew Commander on Retained (RDS) Duty System – for entry to the Watch Commander Talent Pool RDS (internal applicants only)
Substantive and Competent Firefighter (on Wholetime Duty System) – for entry to the Crew Commander Talent Pool (internal applicants)
Substantive and Competent Firefighter (on Wholetime Duty System) holding valid accredited ICL1 – for entry to the Crew Commander Talent Pool (external applicants)
Substantive and Competent Firefighter on Retained (RDS) Duty System – for entry to the Crew Commander Talent Pool RDS (internal applicants only)
Note:  All internal applicants must be deemed ready for progression at their last appraisal.

Whilst candidates are not required to hold all relevant IFE papers at the point of application, attainment of these papers is essential for entry to the Crew Manager/Watch Manager talent pools.  For  the Crew Commander talent pool this includes IFE Level 3 Certificate Units 2,3 & 4.  For the Watch Commander talent pool this includes IFE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Service Operations & Incident Command (L3D6) and IFE Level 3 Certificate in Leadership & Management (L3D5).

Applicants seeking consideration for Retained Duty System positions must be capable of meeting the response times and availability requirements of the particular station and post.

Subject to success at all stages of the gateway process, and achievement of the required IFE examinations, candidates will be able to progress to the applicable talent pool this cycle.  Internal applicants that are successful at the gateway will be eligible for consideration for temporary Crew/Watch Commander roles only, if pending any IFE required papers. 

Candidates who have a live disciplinary sanction for either Attendance or Conduct at the time of the application closing date will not normally be eligible to engage in the selection process.  Candidates pending the outcome of a disciplinary matter will not normally be eligible to enter the talent pool until the outcome is known.  (Exceptions may be made in instances where extenuating circumstances apply).

When submitting an application it is the individual’s responsibility to declare the need for any reasonable adjustments in respect of the process. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be accommodated where possible upon receipt of a report outlining the specific nature of the requirements.

Relocation assistance may be available to successful candidates (details available on request). 

Applicants successful at the selection process will be required to gain preemployment clearances, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and pass a Service Medical and Fitness Test before appointment will be offered.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. 

About the Role

You will support the Service in delivering on its Mission working together to keep Bedfordshire safe.

You will demonstrate excellent leadership qualities that align with the NFCC Leadership Framework, and our Service Professional Behaviours and Values:

We are Accountable
We’ve got your Back
Every Contact counts
We Dare to be Different. 
The Service is seeking dynamic individuals, with excellent leadership skills and interpersonal skills.   They will have the ability to motivate and empower others to understand and deliver on our objectives.  

As Watch Commander, you will be responsible for the supervisory management of:

the designated Watch/Section, providing leadership for, and assisting in, coordinating the activities of crews and managing the day to use of allocated station resources to ensure effective delivery of protection, prevention and emergency incident response services to the community so as to save and protect life, property and the environment.

As Crew Commander, you will assist in the supervisory management of:

the designated Watch/Section, providing leadership for, and assisting in, coordinating the activities of crews and managing the day to use of allocated station resources to ensure effective delivery of protection, prevention and emergency incident response services to the community so as to save and protect life, property and the environment.

You will have the ability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and build a positive inclusive culture for a forward thinking Service.