Role: Station Manager Rescue and Core Skills
Salary and Grade:
£50,135 (Development) – £55,301 (Competent SMB) Plus 20% Flexible Duty Allowance (as appropriate)
Hours – 42 hours per week, Flexi Duty Officer
Lease Car Scheme
Superb Pension Schemes available
Onsite gym and parking facilities
Excellent health care support through Benenden and additional support through our Occupational Health provider, Movement Specialist and Fitness and Health Adviser
Location – Training Centre, Whitley Wood
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is a progressive and community-focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people.
Learning and Development are seeking a dynamic, adaptable and enthusiastic individual to join our team. This is a great opportunity for those looking to gain a promotion into middle management or a sideways move if you’re looking for a change. The L&D environment is extremely fast paced, challenging but extremely rewarding.
About the role:
We are seeking an experienced Station Manager (SM) (B) to lead, shape and enhance our Learning and Development function. As SM Rescue and Core Skills you will be responsible for the direct line management of three Watch Manager’s (WM), with responsibility for operational recruit training, water rescue, working at height training and IEC. You will be responsible for the training and assessment in those areas, and for supporting the Group Manager (GM) L&D in providing oversight and assurance in all operational training. The role represents an opportunity to consolidate and improve on the existing provision, ensuring that training aligns to National Operational Guidance, other relevant guidance, and meets the needs of the Service.
Applicants will be highly motivated individuals who are forward-thinking and looking for an opportunity to lead and develop within RBFRS.
The Station Manager Rescue and Core Skills role is an ideal career move for a developing middle manager who:
Is people focused, with proven leadership and communication skills, including working across teams and departments
Has a keen eye for detail and the delivery of quality training, assessment, and training products
Has a good understanding of how national issues effect operational training at local level
Have an understanding of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Flood Rescue Concept of Operations guidance document.
Have an awareness of Animal Rescue and the respective levels.
Have an understanding of Safe Working at Height operations.
Have an understanding of the challenges faced within South East and South Central England with regard suitable water rescue training venues.
Eligibility
Applications are restricted to Competent Crew Manager or above in receipt of CPD, with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management (aligned to WM DAP across Leading Others and Leading the Business courses or equivalent). You will have successfully completed a Level 1 Incident Command qualification and have maintained their knowledge and skills.
If appointed to a Station Manager role, you will be required to undertake the Level 2 Incident Command qualification before undertaking Incident command activities required in the role.
You will be required to pass a relevant medical assessment as appropriate, and a fitness test (or evidence of recent pass may be acceptable – subject to checks).
Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Further information on Annual Allowance can be obtained from our Pensions team.
Application and selection process
Applicants will be expected to detail their knowledge, skills, and experience against the relevant Personal Specification contained within the Job Profile.
Application and Selection Process:
Closing date for applications: 20th July 2026 at 09:00am
Task Submission: 10th August 2026 at 09:00am
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run week commencing 10th August 2026
Stage One: Supporting Statement
Eligible staff wishing to apply for this promotion process should apply through the portal, submitting a supporting statement (restricted to 1500 words) detailing how they meet the person specification for the role.
If you are interested in applying for this position please click Apply now
Applicants will be expected to detail their knowledge, skills, and experience against the relevant Job Profile/ Person Specification. Please see the link to the Please see the link to the job profile.
Stage Two: Role based task and Behavioral and Competency- based Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be assessed for suitability for the role by means of a behavioral and competency-based interview alongside a presentation task.
Task details have been provided ahead of time to facilitate preparation. The role-based task is to prepare and deliver a presentation lasting no longer than 15 – 20 minutes.
Please see the task instruction for the process which you will be required to deliver prior to your behavioural and competency interview.
You must submit your presentation to Recruitment@rbfrs.co.uk by 09:00 on 24 July 2026 – you will only be required to participate in the task if you are successfully shortlisted. The topic has been provided to support additional preparation time.
For further details about the role please contact Andy Stockwell, GM Learning and development at (stockwella@rbfrs.co.uk) to arrange an informal discussion.
If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Ellece Ott (Otte@rbfrs.co.uk), Resourcing, Promotion and Planning Lead.
Disclosure and Barring Service
Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, that is appropriate to the role applied for.
Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behavioural Competency Framework as attached.
The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.
Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.
Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.
Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.
All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Disability Confident Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).
To find out more: https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/your-service/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/