Middle Manager Gateway (S25)

Overview

The service is seeking to expand our Middle Manager talent pools for potential operational vacancies arising. This is an exciting time to join our teams, to help deliver our ambitious plans for the future. As part of our succession planning, the Service is opening a gateway process. This invites applications to create talent pools eligible for consideration for temporary or substantive appointment to Station Manager or Group Manager vacancies arising over the next 6-12 months.

There has never been a better time to join us.

Salary and Location

Station ManagerDev: £50,135 – £55,301; Station Manager Competent plus 20% flexible duty system allowance where applicable

Group Manager Dev: £57,743– £64,013; Group Manager Competent plus 20% flexible duty system allowance where applicable

Retained Duty System in line with national payscales

Location: Various roles and locations across Bedfordshire

Eligibility

We welcome gateway applications from those currently serving within a UK Fire authority as:

• Substantive and competent Station Managers, holding a recognised Incident Command Level 2 qualification (for entry to the GM Talent Pool)
• Competent Wholetime Duty System or Retained Station Commanders, serving in a temporary SM role, or recently completed a temporary SM role (internal applicants only), holding a recognised Incident Command Level 2 qualification, a valid pass at SM gateway and IFE L4C3 and L4C5 papers (for entry to the GM Talent Pool)
• Substantive and competent Wholetime Duty System Watch Commanders, holding a recognised Incident Command Level 1 qualification (for entry to the SM Talent Pool)
• Substantive and competent Retained Duty System Watch Commanders (internal applicants only), holding a recognised Incident Command Level 1 qualification (for entry to the SM Talent Pool)
• Competent Wholetime Duty System or Retained Watch Commanders that are serving in a temporary WM role, or recently completed a temporary WM role (internal applicants only), holding a recognised Incident Command Level 1 qualification, a valid pass at WM gateway and IFE L3D5 and L3D6 papers (for entry to the SM Talent Pool)

The IFE paper requirements for Station Manager roles are as follows:

• IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Service Operations & Incident Command (L4C3)
• IFE Level 4 Certificate in Leadership & Management (L4C5)
• Candidates are not required to hold the above IFE papers at the point of application for the gateway; however attainment of these IFE papers is essential for the Station Manager post, and there is a requirement to hold or attain these within 2 years of appointment to an SM post.

Applicants seeking consideration for Retained Duty System positions must be capable of meeting the response times and availability requirements of the particular station and post.

Internal applicants must be deemed ready for progression at their last appraisal. Internal applicants with non-station based Watch Manager experience only may be considered, and, subject to success at the gateway, may be offered WM operational experience in charge of a Fire Station Watch as part of their development outcome.

Subject to success at all stages of the gateway process, candidates will be able to progress to the applicable talent pool this cycle.

Candidates who have a live disciplinary sanction for either Attendance or Conduct at the time of the application closing date will not normally be eligible to engage in the selection process. Candidates pending the outcome of a disciplinary matter will not normally be eligible to enter the talent pool until the outcome is known. (Exceptions may be made in instances where extenuating circumstances apply).

When submitting an application it is the individual’s responsibility to declare the need for any reasonable adjustments in respect of the process. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be accommodated where possible upon receipt of a report outlining the specific nature of the requirements.

Relocation assistance may be available to successful candidates (details available on request).

Role and Expectations

About the Role You will support the Service in delivering on its Mission working together to keep Bedfordshire safe.

You will demonstrate excellent leadership qualities that align with the NFCC Leadership Framework, and our Service Professional Behaviours and Values:

• We are Accountable
• We’ve got your Back
• Every Contact counts
• We Dare to be Different.

The Service is seeking dynamic individuals, with excellent leadership skills and interpersonal skills. They will have the ability to motivate and empower others to understand and deliver on our objectives.

While this is a generic gateway process based on the essential criteria details provided and the National Group Manager and Station Manager role maps, the departmental responsibilities will vary depending on the vacancies that may ultimately arise. The purpose of the posts is to lead and assist in the development and implementation of Service and departmental objectives to ensure they are effectively executed.

Substantive Group Manager B and Station Manager posts are conditioned to the Flexible Duty System (FDS) and are required to provide a response base, in an area approved by the Chief Fire Officer, which will enable them to undertake their operational command duties when on-call.

Successful applicants will have the ability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and build a positive inclusive culture for a forward thinking Service.