Civil Contingencies Officer (CCO)

Ever thought about a career in Civil Contingencies / Emergency Planning / Resilience / Emergency Preparedness?

Are you forward thinking and proactive with the ability to plan and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels?

Well, think about this.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join our innovative civil contingencies organisation. The organisation delivers an excellent service to a wide and varied range of public sector partners. The role will comprise of advising strategic partners on best practice to develop effective ways of working in an emergency situation.

The Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) has been playing a significant role in supporting the councils, NHS Trusts, emergency services and other public sector organisations in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to work closely together to respond to the difficult and complex challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic. We exist to plan and prepare for emergencies and when they do occur, we’re there to help. It’s not just the pandemic, there’s flooding, major fires, loss of electricity and a whole host of risks that fortunately don’t happen too often. However, when they do we know that we’ve helped Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to be better prepared and we’re there to support their leaders deal with the crisis.

A lot of our work is project management and we are looking for someone who can demonstrate that they can manage a multi-agency project to a successful conclusion. Excellent verbal and written communication is required with the ability to analyse information in a meaningful way.

The successful candidate will join an established unit of officers based in Staffordshire responsible for the operational delivery of Civil Contingencies advice and support to stakeholders and clients.  Your role will be focused on working with local authority stakeholders on their resilience needs, emergency planning and business continuity services.  

Please be aware that this job will involve some home working and some work in office locations every week; currently in CCU’s base and local authority premises. From time to time, you will also be required to travel to other stakeholder locations in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent area.  

You will have the flexibility to adapt to meet the needs of the full range of Category 1 responders (as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004) including the emergency services and the local Health Economy.  Other duties will include the development of key multi-agency Civil Contingencies projects and plans to enhance resilience of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The successful candidate when trained will join a 24/7 on-call rota where staff currently provide continuous cover for a seven day period every seven weeks.

You will also be required on occasions to set up and operate the Unit’s Mobile Control Unit and associated equipment for which personal protective equipment (PPE) and training will be provided. You will be the holder of a full UK driving licence and you must provide your own transport for work purposes. (Essential Car User Allowance will be paid as soon as the successful candidate joins the on-call rota).

As part of your employment you will be entitled to some fantastic benefits such as on site Gym access, Occupational Health facilities, free parking and an impressive pension scheme, further details regarding the benefits we have to offer can be found by contacting the Recruitment team; recruitment@staffordshirefire.gov.uk

If you are unsure of what the role entails or would like further information on the Civil Contingencies Unit and the job in particular, please visit the website at www.staffordshireprepared.gov.uk or speak to Bethan Morgan on 01785 898608 or Peter Taylor on 01785 898615. 

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 9th May 2021, following shortlisting, interviews will take place soon afterwards. Owing to the current requirement for social distancing, applicants must be available to be interviewed by video conference during the week commencing 24 May 2021.

The successful applicant (subject to reference, security and medical clearance) will then start with the Unit as soon as possible afterwards.

Any enquiries regarding the recruitment process please contact Steph Cooper HR Officer on 01785 898574.