FIRE SAFETY ADVISOR / INSPECTING OFFICER (multiple roles available) 

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service currently has a number of vacancies for the role of Fire Safety Advisor / Inspecting Officer (dependent on qualifications) across the county the Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent.

The roles based at one of the three fire safety hubs across the county is crucial in ensuring the Service is best placed to deliver its duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Salary: As per Protection Progression Pathway

                        Green Book – Grades 5- 8 £28,770 - £39,186

                        Grey Book – FF-WMA £36,226 - £42,170

Hours:             37 hours (Green Book) 42 hours (Grey Book) - Flexible working scheme in operation

Location:         Fire Safety Hubs across the County (Newcastle, Cannock and Lichfield)

Status:             Substantive

Overall Function

To support and implement the services protection strategy and to support the delivery of the corporate objectives within the services’ safety plan.

To support the delivery of the services’ fire safety arrangements within the service delivery group.

These roles are incremental dependant on qualification achieved. Those entering with a qualification of less than a Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety will enter as a Fire Safety Advisor (Grade 5). Once Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety is attained then role will become Fire Safety Inspector (development) (Grade 6) and then once Level 4 Diploma is achieved the role will become Fire Safety Inspector (competent) (Grade 7). This is in line with the Protection Authorisation and Competency Framework.

It is expected that personnel will continue to develop at least to the level of Fire Safety Inspector (competent)

Main Tasks: Fire Safety Advisor / Fire Safety Inspector (development)

-Contribute to the development of Delivery Group action plans, highlighting where protection activities and priorities related to the role, can be addressed in the planning process.

-To evaluate, assess and advise on fire risks and hazards, to minimise or eliminate risk, by applying the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and other relevant Legislation. To report on findings and develop recommendations to address and resolve any identified deficiencies in order to minimise fire risks and hazards.

-To collate relevant information and support in compiling written evidence case files for potential prosecutions to ensure the enforcement of Fire Safety legislation. To report on the suitability and sufficiency of existing arrangements and identify solutions to address any areas of deficiency in order to minimise fire risks and hazards.

-To implement the unwanted fire signal policy and ensure the investigation procedures are followed internally and externally. To escalate to management any failure to comply by business or persistent offenders.

-To support, develop and implement the business development approach within the service delivery group.

-To deal with requests from the public and partner organisations to provide technical advice, guidance and support on relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and standards in order to minimise fire risks and hazards.

-To support the investigation of fire safety complaints commensurate with the role.

-To compile and submit written reports as required by work undertaken.

-To undertake inspections in line with the services’ post fire policy at commercial premises.

-To assist operational personnel and to provide guidance and development to personnel where required commensurate with this role.

-To participate in management meetings as necessary and support directorate meetings as required.

-To support and contribute to work streams relating to technical fire safety and other aspects of the organisation as determined by the needs of the service.

-To manage, assess and evaluate work activities and develop proposals for improvement to facilitate work objectives and ensure continuous improvement. To attend training and courses as required by the role.

-To maintain accurate and up-to-date knowledge and an awareness of developments within the protection arena and as required by the role.

-To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post.

Fire Safety Inspector (competent)

To inspect and prepare reports for all premises subject to statutory control. To enforce Fire Safety legislation through risk based assessment working with other relevant partners to achieve a safer community.

To manage and lead the Fire Safety Officers (CM, FF, Auditors) to support the delivery of core objectives as determined by the Corporate Safety Plan, the Prevention and Protection Strategy and the Service Delivery Group Plan.

Main Tasks:

- Contribute to the development of Delivery Group action plans, highlighting where protection activities and priorities related to the role, can be addressed in the planning process.

-Carry out Fire Safety inspections/audits of premises in line with current fire safety legislation

- Enforce Fire Safety legislation in accordance with organisational policy, to include collecting/providing evidence, where appropriate

- Gather, process and share information with other FRS personnel and external partners relevant to their safety or where it may assist in the performance of their duties.

- Identify premises, individuals and groups which represent levels of high risk and use that information to inform their organisational risk targeted activities.

- Examine and respond to consultations and submissions from external stakeholders and provide advice in order to determine compliance with statutory codes of practice and other fire safety related legislation with applicable time constraints. Submissions and consultations could include: planning, building regulations, House(s) of Multiple Occupancy, licencing, marriage venues, etc

-Support formal fire safety investigations as required by the organisation and take appropriate action

-Contribute to the policy and procedures that relate to legislative guidance on matters concerning Fire Safety

-Provide technical advice and support on fire safety regulations and guidance documents to internal and external stakeholders

-Support better regulation by having regard for Primary Authority and interacting with Primary Authority Partnerships.

-Provide support and guidance to businesses to reduce fire and unwanted fire signals (e.g. from automatic fire alarms)

-Collaborate effectively with partner agencies, particularly local regulatory services teams to join up enforcement activities.

-Attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders for example Safety Advisory Groups to provide guidance and support with fire safety matters to ensure the safety of the public.

-Respond to alleged fire risks/complaints and post fire enquiries

-To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post.

Person Specification: Essential

Education and Training

See Protection Authorisation and Competency Framework.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of determining solutions to hazards and risks identified through audit and investigation
• Experience of evaluating fire safety design submissions
• Experience of auditing and evaluating fire risk assessments based upon an understanding of risk assessment methodology
• Experience of producing structured reports
• Experience of working with and producing risk assessments

Skills, ability and personal qualities

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good problem solving skills
• Clear written and verbal skills
• Clear report writing skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workloads
• Driving license, have the use of a vehicle and willing to enter the casual car user scheme
• Good organisational skills for self and others
• Good IT skills
• Proven evaluation skills

Knowledge and Experience

• Working with a range of partners

Skills, ability and personal qualities

• Presentation skills

Additional Information:

This vacancy is being advertised internally and externally

Closing date for receipt of all applications is 10th April 2024 Midday 12:00

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

If you have any enquiries please contact:

Matt White – Protection Lead, 07794 213494

Steph Cooper – HR Officer on 07528 083155