The Role
Operational Fire Safety Inspecting Officers (Sub Officer/Watch Manager A or Station Officer/Watch Manager B)
Application closing date: Friday, 12 March 2021 at 4pm.
LFB is looking for Fire Safety Inspecting Officers to work across the whole of London in this exciting and challenging role. You will be working with Responsible Person(s) to ensure that buildings across London are safe for residents, workers and visitors. You will need to be able to apply the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 within your role. In addition, you will take on a specialist role within your team which could include being a Hospital, Enforcement, Heritage or Building Risk Review programme lead Officer.
Applicants must be a competent Sub Officer/Watch Manager A or a competent Station Officer/Watch Manager B and have fire safety training to a minimum of a Level 4 Fire Safety Certificate. You will be provided with training for the Level 4 Fire Safety Diploma and other courses to enable you to carry out your function. You will be expected to take a proactive role in your study and complete some of the study and course work in your own time to meet assignment deadlines.
You will be required to maintain your operational competence and attend relevant training to refresh and maintain your competence. You will be expected to undertake a specialist role in fire safety for example hospital or enforcement officer. You will be working a day duty shift pattern.
You will need to be flexible, respond positively to change and be prepared for continuous learning and professional development throughout your career. The regulations governing the fire safety aspects of buildings are frequently evolving and you will need to ensure that you keep up-to-date and maintain competence.
A reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility is necessary as you will be required to inspect the whole building and take equipment with you to carry out your role. This can also include walking around the surrounding areas of buildings as well as reviewing a building internally.
To apply, please complete the online application and upload the following documents:
• A copy of your up-to-date CV.
• A cover letter (max. of two sided A4) clearly outlining the relevant experience, qualifications (please include proof of having a current level 4 fire safety certificate or above), skills and qualities you have to successfully perform this role. External applicants must also include proof of being a competent Sub Officer/Watch Manager A or a competent Station Officer/Watch Manager B serving as a whole time officer (with a whole time contract) in a UK local authority fire and rescue service who is competent in all elements of the role map including Unit 7 (WM7 – Lead and support people to resolve operational incidents). Your cover letter should be saved as a single Word/PDF document.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications will not be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Be a competent Sub Officer/Watch Manager A or a competent Station Officer/Watch Manager B serving as a whole time officer (with a whole time contract) in a UK local authority fire and rescue service who is competent in all elements of the role map including Unit 7 (WM7 – Lead and support people to resolve operational incidents).
• Have a current Level 4 fire safety certificate or above.
• Be prepared to commit to the role for two years (before requesting to return station.
• Be good at meeting and communicating with people representing both internal and external stake holders.
• Want to drive down the risk of fire in the built environment. You will need to be self-motivated, able to work independently, visiting premises on your own and able to manage your own workload.
If you are already an employee of the LFB you will need to pass your stage one development and have the approval of your line manager.
Assessment Overview
Assessment Process
Please note that the assessment process is sequential - therefore each stage must be passed in order to progress.
Stage 1 – online application including a CV and a cover letter.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage 2.
Stage 2 – Technical written assessment
You will be required to carry out a technical written assessment. Candidates will be sent two documents to read which relate to the assessment.
Successful candidates will be invited to stage 3.
Stage 3 – Interview stage
This will a be a formal interview over Microsoft Teams.
Assessment for this role is due to take place late-March/early-April 2021. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Please note: you will need to be able to conduct an interview and other assessments over a video conferencing service such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. You will be asked to provide relevant contact details for that to take place if shortlisted.
Additional Information
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a basic criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. Successful candidates should apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to get a copy of their criminal record and share the original disclosure certificate with the LFC. The check will only show convictions that are not ‘spent’. It will cost the successful candidates £23 (current charge) and usually takes up to 14 days.