Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, has the opportunity for an Organisational Learning and Assurance Support Officer to join our Organisational Assurance team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. This is a permanent, full time position (37 hours per week) that offers a competitive salary starting at £29,540 rising annually to £32,061 (gross) per annum.
Your role:
As an Organisational Learning and Assurance Support Officer you will coordinate and support the Service’s response to external inspection, assurance and national reporting requirements, ensuring effective preparation, delivery and follow-up of inspection activity. The role will provide practical support across inspection readiness, action plan management, data returns, performance reporting and organisational learning processes.
You will work collaboratively across the Service and with external stakeholders to monitor progress against recommendations, promote continuous improvement, and ensure clear communication of inspection developments and outcomes. In doing so, you will provide administrative, analytical and coordination support that enables the Service to meet statutory obligations, maintain compliance with relevant policies and legislation, and enhance overall organisational performance.
Key responsibilities:
-To coordinate and support the Service’s response to inspections by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), including planning, preparation and follow-up activity.
-To assist in the development of inspection documentation, including self-assessments, strategic briefings and evidence submissions.
-To manage and monitor inspection action plans, tracking progress and supporting timely delivery of recommendations.
-To provide administrative and logistical support for inspection activity, including visits, interviews and stakeholder engagement.
-To coordinate organisational learning from inspection outcomes and national recommendations, supporting continuous improvement.
-To administer assurance processes, including Fire Standards assurance activity and assurance dip testing.
-To coordinate and submit corporate data returns to external bodies, including HMICFRS, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability (CIPFA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
-To collect, analyse and present data to support organisational learning, assurance and performance reporting.
-To manage communication channels, providing updates on inspection progress, requirements and outcomes to stakeholders.
-To support reporting, governance processes and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement across the Service.
Closing date: 2359hrs Thursday 19 June 2026.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to speak to someone to find out more about the role, please contact Olivia Crook – our Organisational Learning, Evaluation and Assurance Manager, via ocrook@dsfire.gov.uk