HR Adviser
(Fixed Term – up to 12 months)
Benefits:
Salary: £33,699 – £38,220 per annum (pay award pending) Grade 4
Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week
Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
Excellent annual leave allowance of 25 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available
Other information about our benefits can be found here
About the role:
This is an ideal opportunity to join Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) as an HR Adviser contributing to impactful service improvements while building on your generalist experience.
Working as part of a professional HR team, you will provide high-quality advice and guidance to managers and employees on a range of HR matters, including employee relations casework, employment legislation, and organisational policies.
The role also has a strong focus on process improvement, data insight, and system development. You will work closely with HR colleagues, ICT to identify opportunities for automation, digitalisation and improved ways of working.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to build on their HR generalist experience while contributing to impactful service improvements.
About you:
We are seeking a motivated HR professional with a strong foundation in in HR advisory work and a keen interest in systems, data and continuous improvement.
You will bring:
Experience in a HR Adviser or similar generalist HR role
Experience using HR Systems and Microsoft 365 tools, with confidence in digital working
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:
Provide professional HR advice to managers and staff on employment law, policies, procedures and casework
Identify opportunities to streamline and automate HR processes across the employee lifecycle
Support HR and payroll projects, including pensions related work and system improvements
Analyse HR data to identify trends, insights and opportunities for improved ways of working
Key role requirements: (knowledge, skills and experience)
CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent
Experience of transactional and advisory HR
Strong digital and systems capability, including HR systems and reporting tools
Experience providing HR advice and supporting complex casework
Application and selection process
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour 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 see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification on application.
Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.
For further details about the role please contact Emma Scott, Senior HR Adviser, (Service Provision) at scotte@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 Amanda Gavin at gavina@rbfrs.co.uk or by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.
Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form.
Closing date for applications is 09:00 hours 10 July 2026.
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will take place on 14 and 15 July 2026.
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible
Please note that 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.
Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement
Our Commitments:
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 Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).
To find out more: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.
Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement via this link.