Fire Investigation Officer

Job Title: Fire Investigation Officer
Salary: Watch Manager (Grey Book) £44,911/ Scale 8 (Green Book) £37,261 – £40,478
Working Hours: Day Duty system* (Grey Book) / 37 hours per week (Green Book)
Location: TBC
Contract: Permanent
* as an operational employee, you will be required to maintain your operational competence, support availability and work from various stations across the county, in line with our Day-Duty Officers Riding (DDOR) principles.
We are open to discuss working arrangements including flexibility over hours and location.
The Role
Within the Protection Department for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), we are passionate and committed to Fire Investigation and achieving ISO accreditation. In the role of Fire Investigation Officer, you will support the Fire Investigation Manager in the design, implementation and delivery of training associated with fire investigation for both our Tier 1 & Tier 2 Officers. You will also be responsible for the formulation, preparation and production of processes required to ensure that the delivery of Fire Investigation meet ISO 17020 standards.
You will be responsible for the formulation, preparation and production of methods to analyse fire data, enhance delivery of Fire Investigation, and to both investigate and support investigations of fire/explosion scenes.
You will be involved in supporting the Fire Investigation Manager during the consultation and negotiation process with appropriate representative bodies on possible shift system changes to enable 24/7 cover and to support the implementation of new and updated policies.
What You Will Be Working On

Coordination & reviewing the training needs of Fire Investigation in accordance with the Fire Investigation Fire Standard. Ensuring that Tier 1 and Tier 2 Fire Investigation Officers have a structured and aligned acquisition of training in order to achieve and maintain competence in their role.
To formulate, prepare and produce methods to analyse fire trends and provide advice and support through Prevention and Protection safety messages.
To review Tier 1 fire investigations ensuring that they are carried out effectively and correct supplementary reporting is followed.
Develop and monitor systems for the identification of fire trends and emerging risks, maintaining partnerships with Essex Police and other organisations/departments to coordinate responses and inform.
To formulate, prepare and produce suitable processes and policies in relation to the delivery of Fire Investigation to ISO 17020 standard. Manage and review internal FI Team audits and processes, recording results and measures taken to rectify.
To support the consultation and negotiation process with appropriate representative bodies on proposed policy changes and to support the implementation of new and updated policies.
Attend Regional and National meetings, deputising for the Fire Investigation Manager when requested.

What Are We Looking For?
This role will be perfect for you if you are passionate about fire investigation and are motivated by what you can bring to ECFRS and the people of Essex.
You will have experience in the creation and delivery of training material, being able to adapt your training to suit audience needs where required.
We would love to find someone that has strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop themselves.
Eligibility

Whilst considered desirable, the provision of associated qualifications in Fire Investigation are not essential for this role. Any successful candidate(s) will be enrolled on the Level 5 Fire Investigation Practical in accordance with the NFCC Development Workbook.
Whilst considered desirable, the provision of associated qualifications in Fire safety are not essential for this role. Any successful candidate(s) will be enrolled on the Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety, which (upon completion) will subsequently be followed by completion of the Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety.
Experience of formulating and producing policies – desirable.
Full driving licence.
Substantive Wholetime Crew/Watch Manager who has been competent in role for a minimum of twelve months, or Grade 8 Green Book equivalent.
Successfully completed all relevant operational assessments and compulsory courses relevant to your current role.
No current live disciplinary or performance warnings, nor are you subject to any informal management for reasons of conduct or performance.
You must have a valid and current Fitech of 42 ml/kg/min or be actively engaged in a programme of fitness.

The Application Process
Application – Initially you will apply via our website by attaching your supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be a maximum of 750 words showing us how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification for the role. We love it when our applications write thorough supporting statements so don’t be afraid to go into detail! This will give us a great understanding of your skills and experience and how well you fit the role.
Interview and presentation – If successfully shortlisted, the final part of the recruitment process will include a presentation and interview (further details will be shared accordingly and in a timely manner).
*Please note that any Crew Manager’s offered the position permanently will be expected to complete the operational assessments within 6months of starting the role, in order to substantiate their Watch Manager rank.
Our Culture and Benefits
Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees. Some of our benefits include:

Flexible working hours
Remote working opportunities
Wellbeing and counselling services
Physiotherapy services
Affiliation with the Blue Light Card scheme
Generous annual leave
Competitive pension scheme
Career development opportunities

You can find out more about our benefits at https://join.essex-fire.gov.uk/jobs/benefits/
Disability Confident
We are an equal opportunities, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from everyone and values diversity in our workplace. A commitment to promoting diversity and developing a work environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
As part of our offer to support all our candidates to perform to the best of their abilities during our recruitment and selection processes and we would like to let you know about a couple of support options you can access, should you wish to, including our employee forums, who are keen and willing to support all of our potential colleagues.
Our employee forums and partners include:
Asian Fire Services Association (AFSA), BEING (our LGBTQ+ employee support network), Christian Fellowship, Ethnic Minority Forum, Men’s Forum, and our Women’s Forum. In addition, we also have a female firefighters operational group.
Further to the above, the Service has a Digital Accessibility Inclusion Group (DAIG) that supports all colleagues to improve their digital skills and provides additional support and guidance to colleagues with neurodivergent strengths and struggles as a result of dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, dyspraxia etc. We want everyone to thrive at work, and so we encourage and enable people to access digital tools to help them perform at your best. The DAIG is a group of colleagues from across the Service that unite to support others as a result of their lived experience and desire to make a difference. They support people with a range of visible and invisible disabilities to identify and access digital workplace adjustments and solutions and may be able to assist with your application too.
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk
You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.ukand about our vacancies, application processes and benefits via https://join.essex-fire.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.
This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £37,261.00-£44,911.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 30/10/2023Reference ID: SC711023