Job Title:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Watch Manager – Southend and Leigh
Contract:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Permanent
Working Hours:Â Â 42 hours (2 days, 2 nights working pattern)
Salary:            WM B (£44,911 per annum)
Closing Date:Â Â Â Â Â 31st May 2024
We currently have Watch Manager opportunities at Southend and Leigh fire stations. Â
As part of the process, applicants will be asked to confirm which stations they wish to be considered for, however expressing a preference is no guarantee of an offer for any of the stations listed.Â
This process may also identify candidates to fill future vacancies that may arise around the county within a twelve month period. Â
The role
We are looking for Watch Managers with skills and evidence in leading others who are looking to progress their careers, or existing Watch Managers looking to develop others on a busy and vital station, who share our values and ethics, and are looking to progress at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
About us
To help us deliver our mission and to help us on our journey, we are looking for highly motivated individuals with an enthusiasm and aptitude for leading others as a Watch Manager at Southend and Leigh fire stations.
About you
The right person for the role will be a role model to others on their station, demonstrating professionalism, an inclusive approach to leading others, and maintaining high standards. You will be committed to the development of yourself and others, and will be prepared to support your colleagues, alongside the operational responsibilities of a Watch Manager.
If you are excited by the opportunities to lead a Watch and support the development of firefighters and think you could make a positive difference to our people and communities, we would love you to apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for these opportunities, you must:
•hold a substantive role as a Watch Manager (wholetime / day duty)
•hold a substantive role as a Crew Manager (wholetime / day duty), and have been competent in role 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
•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 of 42 VO2 max, or be on the run and be actively engaged in a programme of fitness agreed under the Fitness policy
How to apply
You are required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 750 words evidencing how you meet the essential criteria for the role as detailed in the Person Specification. It is important you provide as much evidence as possible, as this statement will be used to shortlist your application. Please ensure you have uploaded the supporting statement before clicking Apply.
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 activity will take place in line with the Service’s Recruitment Policy and promotion approach and will involve the following activities:
Stage 1
•Shortlisting (w/c Monday 3rd June)
Stage 2
•Leadership presentation (w/c 10th June. This presentation will include an additional discussion about inclusion, values and ethics.
•Operational assessment* – this comprises of a drill, in-tray exercise, test paper (June 18th, 19th or 20th)
Stage 3
•Role specific interview (we are aiming for these to take place on the w/c 24th June)
Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact your line manager or Station Manager Kerry Taylor (07870998587 or Kerry.taylor@essex-fire.gov.uk) or Station Manager Mark Elliott (07866895854 or mark.elliott@essex-fire.gov.uk) in the first instanceÂ
If you have any questions about the process, please contact recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
Please see our FAQs for this vacancy here:Â Watch Manager FAQs
*If you have successfully completed the Watch Manager operational assessment in 2023 or 2024, including during On-call promotion processes, you will not need to retake this assessment as part of this process.Â
**If you are looking to apply for this opportunity and cannot make this date, please contact recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk prior to submitting your application.
You can see the NFCC Leadership Framework here:Â NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)Â Â
And guidance around the Code of Ethics here:Â Core Code of Ethics England Guidance May 21 V0.pdf (ukfrs.com)
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 opportunities, 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://join.essex-fire.gov.uk
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 an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.