Pensions Support Officer in Essex

Contract: 3mth Fixed Term Contract

Salary: £31,022 (pro-rata)

Working Hours: 20 per week

Location: Hybrid working (based at HQ offices)

Closing Date: 31st July 2026

At Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Behind every firefighter and emergency response is a dedicated team of professionals ensuring our workforce is supported throughout their careers and into retirement. We are looking for a highly organised and customer-focused Pension Support Officer to join our Finance & Pay team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and an interest in pensions, payroll, HR, or finance administration.

Working closely with the Pensions Manager, you will play a key role in delivering an efficient and compliant pension administration service, helping to ensure our employees receive accurate pension information and support.

The Role

• Support the accurate preparation of pensionable pay information and pension calculations
• Assist in ensuring compliance with pension regulations, internal policies, and governance requirements
• Act as a first point of contact for pension-related enquiries from employees and the Essex Pension Fund
• Maintain accurate records and protect sensitive personal information in line with data protection legislation
• Support pension projects, statutory returns, and reporting requirements
• Coordinate and administer Local Pension Board meetings, including agendas, minutes, and action tracking
• Review and improve pension administration processes to enhance efficiency and customer service
• Work collaboratively with HR, Payroll, and external pension providers to ensure seamless service delivery
• Help maintain pension information and guidance for employees across the organisation

We are seeking someone who has

• Experience in an administrative, finance, payroll, HR, or pension-related environment
• Excellent organisational skills and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications
• The ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and meet deadlines
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to

• Gain valuable experience within pension administration and governance
• Work with experienced professionals across Finance, HR, and Payroll
• Contribute to meaningful work that supports our workforce throughout their employment journey
• Develop your knowledge through training and professional development opportunities

How to Apply

If you are in the LRS Development or Resource Pools, if you meet the essential criteria listed above, you should express an interest in the role by uploading a statement confirming your LRS status before clicking Apply in the Recruitment Portal. Other Candidates: You will be required to submit a CV detailing a minimum of five years employment and/or education history, along with a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification.

Assessment and selection:

• Stage 1 Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria of the Person Specification)
• Stage 2 – Panel Interview Date TBC

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact James Durrant at james.durrant@essex-fire.gov.uk. If you have any questions about the process, then please contact recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk.

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees. You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits.

Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners

If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced. For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@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.

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.