Protection Lead

Protection Lead

Location:                    Fire Service Headquarters, Pirehill, Stone, Staffs, ST15 0BS                            

Responsible to:         Head of Prevention, Protection, and Partnerships

Responsible for:        Fire Safety Managers x 2 and Lead Fire Engineer

Salary:                        Green book - Grade 10 (£44,428 - £47,420)

                                    Grey Book – SMB For pay purposes only (Grey Book personnel would maintain their substantive role for operational purposes. Should the candidate be successful in the relevant Station Manager promotion processes, they may be aligned to the Operational Officers Rota should a suitable vacancy arise)

Hours:                        Green book - 37 hours per week, flexible working hours in operation

                                    Grey book – 42 hours per week

Contract Type:          Permanent

About the role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Protection department. You will implement and deliver the Service Protection Strategy and taking overall responsibility for performance of all Protection Teams (Including Service Delivery Groups) and Protection activity across the Service by Operational Crews. To be the authoritative resource on all Protection matters, providing guidance, support and scrutiny to Protection Teams whilst ensuring the enforcement model is fully adopted and implemented. Also, to maintain an up to date awareness and understanding of new and upcoming national and legislative guidance, implementing change when necessary.

The post-holder (if grey book) may be eligible to form part of the flexible duty rota dependent on other requirements.

Duties Include:

• Lead the Protection function for the Service as required to meet the strategic objectives of the organisation
• Deliver objectives in relation to the performance management framework measuring Protection activity
• Ensure Protection activity for the Service is delivered and prioritised in line with Service policy, taking account of the risk-based inspection programme, complaints, post fire inspections, Building regulation and licencing applications etc.
• Ensure robust and appropriate enforcement action, up to and including prosecution is enabled, resourced and supported.
• Ensure teams working with businesses provide adequate and tailored support to ensure those businesses are able to thrive within Staffordshire.
• Responsible for leading and/or supporting on other areas of Service policy and delivery related to, but not solely Protection, such as unwanted fire signals, illegal waste sites, large public events, PORIS, Safety in Sports Grounds.
• Responsible for overseeing the Primary Authority Scheme within the Service.
• Responsible for ensuring the workforce is trained, competent and registered to deliver protection activities, in line with relevant competency frameworks and auditors registers.
• Ensure the workforce has access to suitable and sufficient software and hardware for the recording of Protection data, which enables accurate reporting of data/measures.
• Responsible for ensuring provision and upkeep of all Protection and related policies
• Take necessary steps to evaluate and quality assure protection activities undertaken by the Service.
• Responsible for ensuring all protection activities recording/processing of data complies with the General Data Protection Regulation.
• Via building a network of contacts across applicable sectors and geographies, (fire, public health, CQC etc) maintain up to date knowledge of regional and national approaches to protection including legislative change, incl. best practice and implement/adopt as necessary.
• Promote the inclusion of sprinklers in both commercial and domestic premises on all occasions the opportunity arises.
• Ensure the teams wellbeing, safety and development is prioritised in all we do.
• Manage and maintain an up to date risk register for the dept.
• Line management responsibility for the 2 Fire Safety Managers and Lead Fire Engineer. Plus other line management responsibility as required by the role.
• Undertake necessary projects to deliver new/updated protection activities into the Service.
• Work in conjunction with Marketing and Communications to ensure a joined-up approach to messaging and campaigns involving protection.
• Ensure the Service complies with or is working towards achievement of relevant fire standards.
• Attend and participate at internal governance boards as required to support decision making.
• Responsibility for overseeing protection budgets ensuring spending remains within agreed limits and authorisation of spend.
• Develop and maintain a robust meeting structure to enable the delivery of protection objectives, chairing as necessary.
• Deputise for the Head of PPP at various forums as and when required.
• To maintain personal competence as required by the role and maintain competence and currency in Fire Safety qualifications held.
• To maintain operational competence in line with the Service’s Operational Competency Framework and to provide resilience to the response arrangements within the organisation during periods of high demand i.e. spate conditions. (If Grey book)

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

Qualified to Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety

Experience of auditing of premises, evaluating and assessing fire risk assessments based upon an understanding of risk assessment theory’s.

Education and Training

Able to work alone as well as a part of a team.  Able to process new information quickly; and good time management

Presentation skills appropriate to large and small audiences of all levels.

Knowledge and experience:

• 3 years fire safety experience (min) and good understanding of fire safety principles, and of fire safety legislation. 

• 3 years experience of managing people

• Good understanding of fire spread within buildings. Understanding of passive and active fire protection within buildings.

• Experience in planning section work or an appreciation of the mechanisms and constraints within which building control bodies have to operate

Skills and ability

• Predominantly an intellectual position requiring a high level of thought and concentration / contemplation of the problem.    Must be able to process complex information and predict fire dynamics.  Reasoned judgment and decision making is essential. Proven project management skills.

• A highly committed individual with the ability to prioritise and self-manage multiple competing demands to a high standard.

• Willingness to work alone or closely with others.  Disciplined to work within time constraints and under pressure.  Assume responsibility for decisions made and ability to communicate this to others.  Attention to detail is an essential quality since decisions severely impact others.  Ability to work accurately while under pressure.  Open to new ideas and to sharing thoughts and opinions.

• Willingness to attend training courses / CPD events etc to maintain competence. 

• Ability to drive and work away from base location.

• Well-presented and having the ability to communicate effectively in order to facilitate essential communication both internally and externally, locally and nationally (in person and by telephone).  Support of corporate image of the Service. 

• A willingness to challenge ideas and apparently ‘proven’ theories or results.  Ability to cooperate with or stand against others as appropriate.

This post is subject to a DBS Check.

Desirable Criteria:

• ILM Level 5 Management Qualification
• Have a good knowledge of Fire Service Community safety structures and working practices.
• Have a good knowledge of new NFCC work streams in relation to Protection.

Education and Training

• Experience of working with internal staff and external bodies in relation to Protection

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of Fire and Rescue Authority/Service organisational structures

• A knowledge of the County of Staffordshire

Skills, ability and personal qualities

• Proven IT Skills.

Additional Information:

This vacancy is open to internal and external  applicants.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 27th of February 2024 12 noon.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 4th of March 2024.

All communication regarding this vacancy will be issued via email, so please check your email account on a regular basis.

** Please note that any SFRS Retained personnel wishing to apply must ensure a revised declaration is approved by their SDG, prior to submitting their application **

If you have any enquiries please contact: shaunagh.havelin@staffordshire.police.uk

HR officer:  Florence.chambers@staffordshirefire.gov.uk