Job Introduction
About Us
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation with a reputation for excellence and investment in their employees, to work in a diverse and inclusive environment with flexible working hours that offer great work-life balance. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service provides prevention, protection, and response services across the county. We are committed to providing a great service to the public to prevent fires and reduce risk for the people of Oxfordshire.
The Fire Protection team is within Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue which works to improve public and business safety to reduce the risk through education and enforcement of fire safety legislation. This team supports the rest of the Service in delivering fire safety messages across Oxfordshire.
About the Role
Please note there are multiple employment opportunities within this job application, depending on your previous experience or recognised prior learning will depend on which roles are available to you. Please see the table within job description for eligibility.
As a Fire Safety Inspector, you will be part of the Fire Protection team to provide guidance and advice to the public and businesses on complying with the under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Fire Safety Order 2005, to protect peoples, property and the environment in reducing risk of fire.
Key responsibilities for the role include:
- Providing fire safety advice and guidance to businesses.
- Auditing premises in simple/ complex/ and licensed/ regulated buildings to assess the standard of their general fire precautions.
- Taking informal action, up to and including agreed action plans, where appropriate.
- Evaluating premises and their contents to identify if they pose a hazard to fire fighters during emergency incidents.
- Working closely with other regulatory bodies to support them in the application of their legislation.
- To enforce the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any regulation made under it, including the serving of all formal legal notices.
- Receive, process and complete documentation/letters in all areas of work to meet statutory, non-statutory and legal deadlines.
- Provide specialist advice to the Duty Brigade Manager on the need to Prohibit the use of premises
- To gather evidence and investigate breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, in simple, complex and regulated premises.
Applicants must possess a full UK driving license, will be required to undertake a driving assessment with FRS driving instructors, and comply with OFRS driving standards including periodic license checks via our commissioned third-party company. Due to the nature of operating as an enforcing officer for the Fire Authority, this is a uniformed role, and the successful applicant will be expected to wear Oxfordshire FRS uniform, which will be supplied to them.
Training and development will be given to progress applicants without any fire safety qualifications from a Fire Safety Advisor position to a Fire Safety Inspector.
Applicants must be prepared to undertake level 3 and level 4 fire safety certificate qualifications and a level 4 diploma qualification, where required, in order to competently carry out the role of a Fire Safety Inspector.
About you
You will need to demonstrate that you are forward-thinking individual, who promotes a positive and inclusive team environment, enabling others to maximise their full potential.
You will need to be flexible and adaptable, responding to emerging opportunities in line with the strategic objectives of the organisation. Remaining calm in high pressure situations is an essential skill along with making sound decisions based on complex information, evidence, guidance, and legislation.
Successful applicants will also need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills and a proven track record of effectively working with others, demonstrating personal accountability and commitment to excellence.
A good general level of educational achievement, including level 2 Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent) are required.
You should have strong business continuity skills with the ability to use both business systems and Microsoft applications effectively.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact the Fire Protection Manager Sarah Mackay on sarah.mackay@oxfordhire.gov.uk or 07789925176
Rewards and benefits
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working
- 30 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
