Contract: Permanent.
Working Hours: Full Time, 42 hours per week subject to Grey Book terms and conditions. 2 x Day shift (0800-1800) 2 x Night shift (1800-0800) 4 x Rota days in a rolling 8-day contract
Salary: £42,505 per annum.
Location: Main Control: Service Headquarters, Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex. CM8 3HB – Secondary Control (When required): Ongar Fire Station, 67 High Street, Ongar, Essex. CM5 9DT.
Closing Date: Sunday 30th August 2026- Midnight.
The Role
Our Fire Control Operatives, or Control Firefighters as they are officially called, are the link between the public and our operational firefighters. The role sees them answering 999 calls, contacting senior fire officers and other emergency services, and using our dynamic mobilisation system to send and move resources across Essex.
As a Crew Manager you’ll provide leadership, supervision and development to support team members in performing their roles to the highest standard as well as taking on the full role map and responsibilities of a Crew Manager.
What You Will Be Working On
You will support the Watch Manager by assisting with coordinating the activities of the watch.
You will manage the day-to-day use of allocated Service Control resources to ensure the effective delivery of call receipt.
Mobilising, communications, operational availability and associated information support functions.
You will deputise for the Watch Manager where required and you will promote and role model a culture of support, excellence, and continuous improvement in line with our Service values.
What Are We Looking For?
You are motivated and enthusiastic about leading others to help our Service achieve operational and organisational objectives.
You are a role model to others, and you can demonstrate all the capabilities of leading others and a diverse group of staff, exemplify professionalism and maintain high standards.
You are committed to the development of yourself and others, and will be prepared to support the progression, and wellbeing of all personnel within your team, alongside the responsibilities outlined in the UK Fire Service Crew Manager Control Role Map.
What can we offer?
We invest heavily in our people through structured training programmes, ongoing operational development and access to a dedicated Control training suite. Whether you are new to emergency services or looking to progress your career, we will support your development.
EECFRS Control watch strength is nine, with watches that should be working at minimum level of five on duty.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this role you must:
Have held a substantive role as a competent Firefighter Control for a minimum of twelve months within a UK Fire and Rescue Service.
Have successfully completed all relevant operational assessments and compulsory courses and are competent for your current role.
Have no current live disciplinary or performance warnings or be subject to any informal management for reasons of conduct or performance.
How to apply
Internal Candidates who are Firefighter Control on Control terms and conditions in either the resource or development pools: If you meet the eligibility criteria listed above, you should submit an expression of interest in the role by applying in Cornerstone.
Internal candidates who are not in the resource or development pool are required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 750 words providing evidence on how you meet the criteria of leading others (NFCC Leadership Framework) at Crew Manager level.
External candidates are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 750 words providing evidence on how you meet the criteria of leading others (NFCC Leadership Framework) at Crew Manager level.
Assessment and selection
The assessment activity will take place in line with the Service’s agreed recruitment and operational promotion approaches and will involve the following activities:
Stage 1
Shortlisting of supporting statements will take place during the week commencing 31st August 2026
Stage 2
This will take place across the majority of a day at our Headquarters (Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex. CM8 3HB) week commencing 14th September 2026 and will comprise of:
A managerial exercise based on the NFCC Leadership Framework.
A practical exercise based on management of a control environment.
A role specific interview including questions on Safeguarding and Inclusion.
A Role Specific Incident Command Verification- CCV (If not already completed within ECFRS within 24 months) will be required to be completed within 6 months of appointment.
Assessments will be made against positive indicators taken from the Code of Ethics and the NFCC Leadership Framework.
You can find the NFCC Leadership Framework here: NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)
And guidance around the Code of Ethics here:
Core Code of Ethics England Guidance May 21 V0.pdf (ukfrs.com)
Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, or would like to visit our Control room, please contact Station Manager Rebecca Sutton at Becky.Sutton@Essex-Fire.gov.uk. Please note that due to annual leave, visits and discussions will not be possible between the 8th and 23rd of August.
Our Culture and Benefits
Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.
You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits
Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners
If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.
For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@essex-fire.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.
This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Disability Confident
We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk
You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire