Business Safety Advisor (Fire Safety)
Scale 6 / *SO1 £29,777 – *£36,648 per annum (*Progression to SO1 is subject to fulfilling career grade criteria as detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification)

1 x Permanent Position.
Based at South Area Office, Ascot Drive Community Fire Station.

Agile working arrangements can be discussed with the successful candidate.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is a high achieving, dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. As part of this recruitment process, we will be looking for a positive, creative and motivated individual who will be able to help shape and develop our fire safety service delivery in the years to come, ensuring that the level of service and fire safety protection offered to the people of Derbyshire continues to be of the highest standard.

As one of our Business Safety Advisors you will work to support businesses and educate them to comply with their statutory duties relating to fire safety legislation. You will increase the presence of DFRS in the business community and signpost businesses to further information and/or other relevant enforcing authorities where appropriate. This will include the development of web material and social media content.

You will work to identify and establish links with a diverse range of business networks within Derbyshire to ensure DFRS fully contributes to supporting economic growth through better regulation at a local level.

As part of a Fire Safety team, you will also carry out inspection work and follow up activities, responding to, and supporting response crews, post fire incidents, unwanted fire alarm activations and complaints relating to simple premises in the built environment. You will undertake consultations relevant to the role such as licensing and temporary event notices. You will assist owners and occupiers of buildings to comply with current fire safety regulations, sometimes in challenging situations. Therefore, a confident, enthusiastic and professional attitude is essential, along with excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.

An outline knowledge and understanding of the broad aims of risk-based fire safety legislation and the principles of risk-based management is required.

The successful applicant will complete our structured programme of externally verified fire safety training. You will be developed within the role and may have the opportunity to progress through the career progression criteria. You will be required to attend training (sometimes residential) in and out of Derbyshire as part of the role.

You will be required to work from various DFRS locations as necessary for which a pool car will be provided. A full UK driving license for manual vehicles is essential (reasonable adjustments can be made under the Equality Act 2010 for those unable to hold a driving licence due to a disability).

The normal working week is 37 hours, usually worked Monday to Friday, however you may occasionally need to work beyond normal office hours, evenings and weekends as required.

In return we offer;

·         Flexible working hours.

·         Family friendly policies.

·         Annual Leave entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

·         Free, secure on-site car parking.

·         Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.

·         Employee discount scheme (Boost).

·         Employee support networks.

·         Enhanced Maternity Pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).

·         Occupational Sick Pay subject to length of service, increasing up to 6 months’ full & 6 months’ half after 5 years’ service.

·         Ongoing training and development opportunities.

·         Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.

·         Eligibility to join Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) offering highly beneficial tax advantages.

Please be advised that we are currently in the process of introducing a new Job Evaluation scheme and will also be reviewing the pay and grading structure.  As a result of this all Support roles will be re-evaluated.

We are committed to equality and fairness at work.  Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect this, and all staff are expected to share this commitment.

Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

In addition, a standard disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be requested for the successful applicant.

The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Sunday 31st March 2024.

It is intended that interviews will be held during the week commencing 22nd April 2024. However, this is subject to change at the discretion of the interview panel.

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.

Contract:                    Permanent
Working Hours:     42 hours, 9-day fortnight day duty*
Salary:                         £51,525 per annum
Location:                    Kelvedon Park
Closing Date:            Monday, 18th March 2024 at 23:00pm

*The role can be undertaken by individuals who are on either on the day duty or the flexi duty system, depending on the successful applicant.

As an operational employee, you will be required to maintain operational competency. This is a requirement of the role and an essential condition to maintaining Grey Book terms and conditions.

The Role (Role Profile)

Our Station Managers are absolutely vital to Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS) delivering on our key objectives. As the leaders of our stations, departments, and teams, they are responsible for delivery of departmental (or station) plans, whilst ensuring the wellbeing and development of their people, as well as being points of contact and subject matter specialists for the various areas of focus across the Service.

We currently have a substantive opportunity for a Station Manager in the Operational Training Department managing our competency management system and Group Trainer team.

The role helps us deliver our mission and to make a real difference to the lives of the people of Essex and we are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the Operational Training Department.  

What You Will Be Working On
As a Station Manager in the Operational Training Department responsible for our competency management system and Group Trainer Team, you will:

• Lead and manage all elements of our competency management system and Group Trainer Team on a day-to-day basis. You will have direct line management of the Group Trainers and Competency Management & Assurance Manager.
• Support the Head of Operational Training in designing and implementing policies, procedures, and guidance to support the delivery of high-quality operational training and ensure delivery against the Operational Training Strategy.
• Support continuous improvement with the competency management system.
• Continually develop, plan and implement our core skills assurance programme.
• Have management of our trauma care provisions.

What Are We Looking For?
As a role model to their teams, our Station Managers will be accountable, credible, authentic, and inclusive, able to demonstrate they live the Service Values and the Fire Service Code of Ethics.

We are looking for people who can demonstrate outstanding leadership and will use their personal impact as a line manager to support organisational change.

You will be essential as we continue to develop cultural values and behaviours that make the fire and rescue service a great place to work for all our people, as well as develop ways of working that enhance our ability to be able to respond to service needs.

You will have a commitment to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our people, and will lead on developing others, with a commitment to the continuous improvement of services to the public by strengthening our ability to provide a good service by diversifying our workforce and developing new approaches and creating a fair and equal place to work.

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this opportunity, you must:

• have held a substantive role as a Watch Manager (wholetime or day duty) or a Station Manager (flexi or day duty) for a minimum of twelve months within a UK Fire and Rescue Service.
• have successfully completed all relevant operation assessments and compulsory courses, and are competent in your current role.
• hold Incident Command Level 1* qualification and be able to attain Level 2 within six months of the offer of the role (The requirement to hold Level 2 as a Station Manager within ECFRS is because successful candidates may be required to work on the Flexi Duty Shift system, either in a temporary or a permanent capacity, subject to the operational and organisational needs of the flexi rota).
• either already hold a valid Officer ERD qualification or successfully achieve this within six months of appointment to the role (for the reasons detailed immediately above.
• be able to travel around the county as required, to visit all ECFRS fire stations and sites
• not be subject to any current live disciplinary or performance warnings, nor be subject to any informal management for reasons of conduct or performance
• have a valid and current FiTech, or be actively engaged in a programme of fitness agreed under the Fitness policy

*Should candidates who are successful in being offered a role subsequently not be able to attain Incident Command Level 2, and/or the Officer ERD qualification within six months (where courses have been reasonably available), the Service’s Performance Management policies will be applied, which could result in redeployment.

If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.

How to apply

Internal candidates (Station Manager, or Watch Manager in either the development or resource pool) –
Once you have discussed your interest in applying with your line manager, all you need to do is apply through the recruitment portal. If you are in the development pool or were shortlisted at the recent Station Manager within the South-West Command Group process, you will join this process at Stage 2. If you are unsuccessful at Stage 2 of the recent Station Manager within the South-West Command Group process, you are not eligible to apply for this role.

If you are an existing Station Manager, or a Watch Manager in the Resource pool, you will join at Stage 3.

Internal candidates (currently Watch Manager who are not in either the development or resource pool) – 
Once you have discussed your interest in applying with your line manager, you will be required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 1000 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification. You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count must not exceed 1000 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach a separate document (such as a CV) should you wish, though your additional document will only be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

External candidates (currently Station Manager and Watch Manager, or equivalent)
You will be required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 1000 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification. You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count must not exceed 1000 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications, or a CV) should you wish, though your additional document will only be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

Assessment and selection:
The assessment and selection approach will be:

Stage 1 – Application & Shortlisting

Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria of the person specification) 

Stage 2 – Assessment & Development Centre (ADC)

The ADC will comprise of a range of activities that will collect evidence in line with indicators taken from the NFCC Leadership Framework (Leading the Function), ECFRS’ Service Values, and the Code of Ethics.

The ADC will last approximately three hours, and will include:

•  a presentation,
• focused discussions with employee groups, and a potential peer group,
• an operational assessment,
• a media exercise

Further details and the topics of the ADC activities will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates at the time.

The ADC is expected to take place weeks commencing 15th April 2024.

You can see the NFCC Leadership Framework here:

 NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)  

Guidance around the Code of Ethics here:

Core Code of Ethics England FRS May 21 V0

Core Code of Ethics England Guidance May 21 V0

 If recent ADC pass stage 3 if not pass ADC, then not eligible to apply.  

Stage 3 – Role Specific Interview

The final stage will be a panel interview chaired by the Group Manager for the vacancy.

It is anticipated that the panel interviews will take place in the week commencing 22nd April 2024.

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact Marc Diggory on 07785 722417 or marc.diggory@essex-fire.gov.uk   

Additional:

Lateral moves (External candidates)
If you are a Station Manager (or equivalent) in a UK Fire and Rescue Service looking to transfer into ECFRS as a Station Manager, we would very much welcome your application. We would be happy to establish a point of contact for you from within ECFRS and you will be required to undergo all three stages of the recruitment process.

Lateral moves (Internal candidates)
The internal Transfer List was reviewed at the point of confirming the current vacancies and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no individuals with an eligible transfer request for any of the current Station Manager vacancies. If you are an existing Station Manager within ECFRS who has been in their role for a minimum of twelve months and are interested in being considered for any of the current vacancies, please discuss with your current line manager (verification of this will be sought) and then apply through the recruitment portal to submit an expression of interest.

You will join at Stage 3 of the assessment and selection process.

No T1’s will be accepted whilst the recruitment process is in progress.

Flexi-rota
Please note that the role being recruited to is not automatically aligned to the flexi-rota. Flexi status is not applied as a result of any promotion, irrespective of the role. Any invitation to join the flexi-rota is entirely at the discretion and authorisation of the Operations department and is based on organisational and operational requirements. It is the expectation that all newly appointed Station Managers will commence their new role on a day-duty basis.

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

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from everyone and values diversity in our workplace. A commitment to promoting diversity and developing a work environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

As part of our offer to support all our candidates to perform to the best of their abilities during our recruitment and selection processes and we would like to let you know about a couple of support options you can access, should you wish to, including our employee forums, who are keen and willing to support all of our potential colleagues.

Our employee forums and partners include:

Asian Fire Services Association (AFSA), BEING (our LGBTQ+ employee support network), Christian Fellowship, Ethnic Minority Forum, Men’s Forum, and our Women’s Forum. In addition, we also have a female firefighters’ operational group.

Further to the above, the Service has a Digital Accessibility Inclusion Group (DAIG) that supports all colleagues to improve their digital skills and provides additional support and guidance to colleagues with neurodivergent strengths and struggles as a result of dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, dyspraxia etc. We want everyone to thrive at work, and so we encourage and enable people to access digital tools to help them perform at your best. The DAIG is a group of colleagues from across the Service that unite to support others as a result of their lived experience and desire to make a difference. They support people with a range of visible and invisible disabilities to identify and access digital workplace adjustments and solutions and may be able to assist with your application too.

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 https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment

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.