Firefighter Development Welfare and Support Manager

Post: Firefighter Development Welfare and Support Manager
Salary: £52,242 per annum
Grade: FRS F
Salary range: £52,242 – £67,836 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Tuesday 01 October 2024

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s Fire and Rescue Service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city.

We employ over 5,500 people, across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer your 999 calls) and our non-operational team (our teams who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, including HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, Communications etc.).

We are seeking a compassionate and proactive Firefighter Development (FFD) Welfare and Support Manager to lead our FFD Welfare and Support Team within the Learning and Professional Development department. Reporting to the Group Commander of the Firefighter Development Implementation Team, you will be responsible for managing a team that includes a Learning Support Officer, Station Officer, and Firefighters. Your role will involve supporting new firefighters (Apprentices) from when they first join the London Fire Brigade through to the end of their apprenticeship (approximately 18 months).

The successful candidate will work closely with operational station-based staff, LFB’s training provider, and the apprentices, ensuring that collaborative working is conducted effectively to support the welfare and performance of the apprentices, helping them build a thriving career. Building trust and confidence with the apprentices through effective communication and empathy is key to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team leadership
• Welfare and development support
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Performance monitoring
• Report writing and analysis
• Project and change management
• Health and safety
• Flexibility to work some evenings or weekends and frequent travel across all fire stations in London.

The ideal candidate will be empathetic, organised, and experienced in managing welfare and support within a public service environment.

Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Assessment Overview
Stage 1

To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:

1. Experience of developing welfare and support processes with an understanding of GDPR and confidentiality.
2. Experience of providing advice to managers at all levels on the interpretation and application of corporate policies, processes, conditions of service and best practice.
3. Effective written and oral communication skills in order to write reports and correspondence, including being proficient in keyboard operating.
4. Effective soft skills (empathy and compassion) to agree options, manage conflict, implement changes or support a resolution of issues.

Please note that we will evaluate score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above. The CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked.

Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.

Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.

Stage 2

Assessment for this role is due to take place week commencing 28 October 2024. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.

Please note: Should you be shortlisted you may need to be able to conduct an interview over Microsoft Teams (a video conferencing service). You will be asked to provide relevant contact details for that to take place if shortlisted.

Additional Information
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade

• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Option Absence Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave for staff at this grade)
• Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
• Flexible working including work from home 60%
• Free access to the Brigade gym
• Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
• Free counselling
• Season ticket loans
• Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount scheme
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation

In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.