At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and empower young people through innovative youth programmes and community engagement.
- Company: Join Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, a top-performing team dedicated to safety and support.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, 25 days annual leave, health services, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Derbyshire and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while promoting safer communities.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work or relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 33143 - 33143 £ per year.
Position: Youth Officer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade E Salary £33,143 per annum
Location: Headquarters
Hours: 37 hours per week, however you may occasionally need to work beyond normal office hours.
Department: Prevention
Reports to: Risk Reduction Manager
Closing date: midnight on Sunday 20th September 2026
About Us
At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we're more than an emergency service - we're a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it's responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.
About the Role
Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of young people? Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Youth Officer to join our Prevention Team and help shape the future of youth engagement across Derbyshire. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver innovative and impactful youth programmes that support young people to develop confidence, resilience and life skills while promoting safer communities.
The successful candidate will work directly with young people, manage complex casework, collaborate with partner agencies and DFRS colleagues, and play a key role in safeguarding vulnerable young people and reducing anti-social behaviour. To be successful in this role, you will hold an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work (or equivalent) or be able to demonstrate substantial relevant experience. You will have a good understanding of the issues affecting young people and a genuine commitment to helping them achieve positive outcomes.
Our Youth Team delivers a range of established and innovative programmes, including our countywide Fire Cadet Programme, the DFRS Youth Council, FireSafe and the YES (Youth Engagement Scheme) delivered in partnership with local schools. We also undertake outreach work within local communities to engage young people and support early intervention initiatives.
As a Youth Officer, you will have the opportunity to develop new projects and activities, influence the future direction of youth provision within the Service, and build strong relationships with schools, community organisations and partner agencies across the county. The role requires travel throughout Derbyshire, for which a pool vehicle will be provided. You will work a flexible 37-hour week, including some evening and weekend work to support youth programmes and events.
Join us and help inspire, support and empower young people to reach their full potential while making Derbyshire safer together.
Required Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and experience:
- NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work (or equivalent) or demonstrable experience
What We Offer in Return
We believe in rewarding our people with more than just a salary. Here's what you can expect when you join us:
- Flexible working hours.
- Family friendly policies.
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service.
- Free, secure on-site car parking.
- Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
- Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
- Employee support networks.
- Enhanced maternity pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
- Occupational sick pay subject to length of service, increasing up to 6 months' full & 6 months' half after 5 years' service.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions.
- Eligibility to join Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) offering highly beneficial tax advantages.
We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK. Due to the sensitive nature of the duties that the postholder will be expected to undertake, an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be requested for the successful applicant.
Youth Officer employer: Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
Derbyshire Fire Rescue Service is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture and agile working options from its headquarters in Ripley. With a focus on strategic leadership and organisational development, employees have ample opportunities for growth and to make a meaningful impact within the community. Join us to be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering outstanding services while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Derbyshire Fire & Rescue, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
