Communications Officer in Bedford

Are you a creative and driven individual who likes to tell great stories, make eye‑catching content, and wants to make an impact? We are seeking a Communications Officer to help tell our story both internally and externally, achieve better understanding of the work of the fire service, and enhance the reputation of its role in the community.

About the Role

This role is all about crafting engaging, innovative and impactful stories and messaging – whether that’s through compelling writing for journalists, striking photography and videography for campaigns, or engaging visual storytelling for our staff. You will translate complex operational and organisational information into clear, accessible and engaging content across a range of internal and external platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce well‑developed, insight‑led creative materials to be used across internal and external platforms to highlight key messages.
• Write accurate communications suitable for different audiences in formats including news releases, newsletters, social media posts, web content, and corporate documents such as information leaflets and posters.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify, plan and develop campaigns and content across channels, advising on the best ways to communicate and engage audiences, and evaluating outcomes.
• Lead planning and management of all digital channels including the website and social media channels.
• Proactively engage with operational colleagues, stakeholders and project leads to plan and deliver creative products that tell their stories to the intended audience.
• Take an active role in external and internal responses during major incidents, including internal communication, media handling, social media, photography, video, website management, and briefing stakeholders in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act and in partnership with other agencies’ communication teams.
• Produce photography, video and visual products – capturing, designing, animating, branding, scripting, storyboarding and editing – and develop corporate graphics and marketing materials for both digital and print, working with external designers to ensure brand consistency.
• Support planning, managing, attending and collecting content for Service corporate events such as staff engagement events, awards, open days and similar occasions.

About You

• GCSEs or equivalent qualification or relevant experience.
• Knowledge of public relations, media communications or marketing.
• Experience in photography/videography.
• Strong English language skills.
• Significant experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Flickr, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram and NextDoor.
• Experience creating multi‑platform content and campaigns for diverse audiences using insight, best practice and evaluation.
• Experience writing for media, news releases, digital content, photography, videography and social media.
• High level of creativity with demonstrable examples of delivering messages to varied audiences, especially external ones.
• Ability to interpret complex or technical information and rewrite it into plain language; comfortable conversing with the public in clear spoken English.
• Proficiency in photography, videography, editing and the Adobe suite (or similar).
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Viva Engage, Sway, etc.) and design tools such as Canva and Adobe.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all organisational levels.
• Strong time‑management skills, balancing reactive and proactive work.
• Current full driving licence with no pending issues.

Benefits

• Hybrid working patterns.
• Flexi‑time scheme with flexible start and finish times, variable lunch breaks and flexi‑leave days.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Holiday allowance of 25 days* (plus public holidays) on joining, increasing to 30 days* after 5 years’ service and 32 days after 10 years’ service (*pro rata if part time or irregular working pattern).
• Free gym access and on‑site parking.
• Instant access to a Lifestyle Savings platform with discount cards from retailers.
• Eligibility to sign up to the Blue Light Card with additional discounts.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. In line with the Armed Forces Covenant, we encourage applications from those who have served, are serving, or are part of a military family. Your skills and experience are valued here.

This appointment is subject to satisfactory pre‑employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the required level. The appointment will be made in accordance with the Service’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children, young people, staff and volunteers. All personnel are expected to share this commitment.