Fire Safety Advisor – West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in Haywards Heath

We are looking for a committed and motivated professional to help protect those who work, live, and visit the county. As part of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Protection team, you will be responsible for carrying out Fire Safety audits and inspections to assess compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) and other relevant legislation. Your work will play a key role in promoting fire safety standards and supporting our mission to keep people and premises safe.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until October 2028. Final start and end dates will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Location: Haywards Heath Fire Station, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1XJ or Bognor Fire Station, W Meads Dr, Bognor Regis PO21 5TB or Worthing Fire Station 57 Ardsheal Rd, Worthing BN14 7RN. Base location to be agreed with the successful candidate.

This role is physically active involving daily site visits and inspections across West Sussex. The successful candidate will need to travel independently to locations across West Sussex including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport.

In this varied role, no two days are the same. As a Fire Safety Advisor, you will be working towards attaining the nationally recognised Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety and you will be required to apply that knowledge to everyday situations as you carry out inspections at premises to which the RRFSO applies.

There will be some key responsibilities likely to feature in this role, including:

• Carry out fire safety audits and inspections of simple premises to assess their risks, fire precautionary arrangements.
• Provide expert advice and support to business owners and responsible persons, ensuring compliance with statutory fire safety obligations and relevant legislation.
• Deliver fire safety guidance and consultancy to statutory bodies, planners, architects, building professionals, and members of the public.
• Gather and assess compliance related information, issue informal and non-statutory enforcement notices where appropriate, and support investigations through the preparation of legal case files, providing expert witness evidence in court when required.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, contributing to a collaborative approach to improving community safety across West Sussex.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrable experience in risk management and the application of appropriate legislation, for example in a health and safety or fire-related role.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety or be willing to work towards attaining the nationally recognised Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective interaction with diverse audiences.