Primary Authority Partnership Manager

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) has an opportunity for a suitably motivated and experienced individual to join their Risk Reduction (Protection) directorate as our Primary Authority Partnership Manager. This role offers a clear route into other Fire Safety Manager positions which may be due to personal development opportunities or at the exigencies of the department/service.

The successful candidate will contribute to the Service fulfilling its statutory duties and achieving its strategic purpose of 'We make our communities safer'. This is a management role working directly alongside our Protection hubs within the Risk Reduction directorate, with current responsibility for leading the Service's Primary Authority Partnership function. You will act as the Service's lead reference for Primary Authority relationships, engaging with businesses through the Primary Authority scheme and developing and maintaining specialist relationships with external organisations, partners and businesses. In particular providing training and advice to businesses to educate those responsible for fire safety in regulated premises.

You will line manage a Primary Authority Partnership Assistant and oversee their contribution to the Primary Authority Partnership, Department and Service performance outcomes. As a leader in ESFRS Risk Reduction (Protection) you will also assist other managers leading our teams in investigating breaches of fire safety legislation, including progressing legal proceedings and applying regulatory sanctions in line with Service enforcement policy. This will include investigative interviewing, statement and report writing, court room skills and giving evidence.

At times you may be required to chair internal and external meetings and events involving partner agencies, regulators and business leaders. The successful applicant will have responsibilities for performance management and supporting our teams with regular feedback verbally and in formal performance reviews, so confidence in holding difficult conversations is essential, to address issues in line with our supportive HR policies.

We welcome applications from anyone who meets the essential criteria contained within the accompanying job description. You will need relevant fire safety and enforcement knowledge gained in the Fire & Rescue Service or Local Authority (or equivalent), together with detailed knowledge of fire safety legislation and enforcement procedures and a good understanding of the Primary Authority Partnership scheme. You must hold a Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety and a Level 7 Award in Investigative Practice (or equivalents) is desirable but can be facilitated as development.

You will be able to demonstrate effective management and leadership, together with a willingness to undertake roles across the various disciplines within the Department or Service as part of your ongoing professional development. Good verbal and written communication skills, together with a commitment to continuous professional development, are essential for this role. Experience of customer relationship building would be useful but is not a necessary quality.

You will need a full UK Driver's Licence, with mobility sufficient to enable travel throughout the county. Access to pool car vehicles is available for business use only, and travel to and from work or relocation expenses are not provided. A DBS check is a requirement of the role and this will be funded by ESFRS for the successful applicant.

Closing Date: 11th September
Shortlisting: 14th September
Interviews: 22nd & 24th September
Start Date: As soon as possible subject to references and DBS checks.

For further information or to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact [Group Manager Darran Sampson Darran.sampson@esfrs.org].

Our Service Purpose is: Reducing Risk, Saving Lives – Together. We do this through our Service Priorities:

• Delivering our community offer
• Delivering our enabling offer
• Achieving financial sustainability
• Sustaining a high performing workforce
• Improving service performance

Our Service Values support our purpose and priorities by making sure the way we operate is guided by strong principles:

• We willingly accept ACCOUNTABILITY, taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.
• We have PRIDE in the service we provide, striving to meet the needs of our communities.
• We demonstrate PERSEVERANCE in the face of challenges, staying committed and resilient in everything we do.
• We RESPECT our colleagues and members of the community.
• We embrace ADAPTABILITY, responding positively to change and continuously seek to improve the way we work.
• We show INTEGRITY in our work, being open and honest.
• We act with SELFLESSNESS, recognising we are here to protect and support our communities.
• We foster a positive and inclusive culture where teamwork, mutual respect and a shared commitment to service are at the heart of everything we do.
• We show EMPATHY to the community and our colleagues, treating everyone with kindness, compassion and understanding.

Diversity and Inclusion: We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, (ESFRS), are committed to equality of opportunity for all job applicants and aims to select suitably qualified people based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training.

Safeguarding: East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and suppliers to share this commitment.

DBS and Non-Police Personnel Vetting: All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks (minimum standard level) or a Police vetting process. The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders: ESFRS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and therefore will consider ex-offenders for employment on their merits, subject to the necessary DBS & Non-Police Personnel Vetting clearances required for the role.

Notes: Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services' Organisational Change policy.