At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and ensure operational excellence in fire and rescue services.
- Company: Join Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, committed to community safety and organisational integrity.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension schemes, fitness access, and flexible working options.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public safety while driving cultural change and high performance.
- Qualifications: Must have strategic leadership experience and relevant incident command qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 128449 - 128449 € per year.
Location: Staffordshire
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent
Salary: £128,449
About The Role: As ACFO you will support the Strategic Leadership team in delivering the Service’s vision and strategic objectives. You will provide strategic leadership at the highest level, ensuring the successful delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), driving organisational transformation, fulfilling statutory requirements, and adhering to national guidance, while also serving as one of the organisation’s Strategic Incident Commanders. The role is a uniformed operational role and conditioned to The National Joint Council for brigade managers of Fire and Rescue Services constitution and scheme of conditions of service (Gold book) - sixth edition and the firefighters pension scheme.
In this role, you will set and drive high performance across all aspects of service delivery, ensuring clear accountability, strong assurance and a culture where excellence is the standard. You will lead by example, consistently demonstrating and embedding the Core Code of Ethics in every aspect of your leadership, decision‑making and organisational influence. You will operate confidently within a politically accountable environment, building constructive, trust‑based relationships with representative bodies, partners and stakeholders. Your leadership will be visible, credible and grounded in integrity, enabling you to inspire cultural change and strengthen organisational performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership across all Service functions, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long‑term objectives.
- Ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with all relevant legislative and sector requirements.
- Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement, accountability, and evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Build strong and effective relationships with partners, stakeholders, and elected members to support public safety, enable collaborative working, and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
- Represent the Service nationally, regionally, and locally, influencing policy and outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and welfare obligations.
- Provide senior strategic command at major and critical incidents, ensuring authoritative leadership and sound decision‑making.
- Oversee effective multi‑agency coordination to maintain operational assurance, public safety, and organisational resilience.
- Act as a role model for the Core Code of Ethics, ensuring ethical behaviours, fairness, integrity, and accountability across the organisation.
- Support the development of leaders at all levels, championing inclusion, wellbeing, and high performance.
Essential Behaviours – Living The Core Code Of Ethics:
- Understands diverse community needs and champions equitable, accessible, and effective fire and rescue services.
- Makes decisions rooted in public safety, safeguarding, and community wellbeing.
- Acts with openness, honesty, and professionalism at all times.
- Upholds high ethical standards and fosters a culture where staff feel safe to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
- Promotes an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone is treated with fairness and respect.
- Models positive behaviours, valuing differences and encouraging diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrates visible, authentic leadership that inspires confidence and trust.
- Takes ownership, provides clarity during uncertainty, and leads through a period of transformation with empathy and resilience.
- Ensures EDI principles are embedded in all decision‑making, workforce practices, and community engagement.
- Challenges discrimination and champions positive cultural change.
What We’re Looking For:
We welcome applications from high‑performing and competent Area Managers with the ICL level 4 in Strategic Incident Command and the Multi‑Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) qualification, or those of a more senior rank who can demonstrate substantial experience operating effectively at a strategic leadership level.
Conditions of Service:
Successful candidate must reside within the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service boundary or within a reasonable distance to ensure operational cover. A relocation allowance is available subject to service procedures.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Annual Leave Entitlement
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Access to Gyms & Fitness Advisor
- Free Parking at Most Sites
- Enhanced Maternity Package
- Occupational Health Well‑being Champions
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Eye Tests
- Flexible Working Scheme
- The Firefighter Charity
- Cycle Scheme
- Blue Light Card
- Flamesavers Rewards for rescue
- Say So Development Programme
- Trade Unions
- Career Breaks
- Physiotherapy
- TRiM Employment Network
- Fostering Friendly
Ensuring Safeguarding and Equality:
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
Positive Action and Equality:
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is fully supportive of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and strives to employ a workforce that represents the community we serve. Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. We encourage and welcome applications from all underrepresented groups which include Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, female, people who have a disability, those who are neurodivergent and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through support and advice sessions.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Stone employer: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a commitment to safeguarding and promoting equality, the organisation provides extensive benefits such as enhanced annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and access to fitness resources, ensuring that employees are well-supported in their roles. As an Assistant Chief Fire Officer, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives while making a meaningful impact on community safety and organisational performance.
Contact Detail:
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Stone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fire and rescue sector. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation’s values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to the Community Risk Management Plan. Tailor your responses to reflect our commitment to safety, inclusion, and community wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you’ve led teams through challenges or driven change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful. This will help you stand out as a candidate who embodies our Core Code of Ethics.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team. Keep an eye on our site for updates and new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Stone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it aligns with the Service’s vision and objectives.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've inspired teams, driven performance, and built strong relationships with stakeholders. Authenticity is key!
Emphasise Ethical Standards:Since the role is grounded in integrity and ethical leadership, be sure to discuss how you uphold high ethical standards in your decision-making. Share instances where you've championed inclusivity and fairness in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and the strategic objectives of the service. Brush up on relevant legislation and national guidance, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your strategic leadership experience. Think about times when you've driven organisational transformation or led teams through critical incidents. Be ready to discuss how you embody the Core Code of Ethics in your leadership style.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to build trust-based relationships with stakeholders and partners. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with others to enhance public safety and community wellbeing in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Diversity
Be prepared to talk about how you champion equality, diversity, and inclusion within your teams. Share specific instances where you’ve fostered an inclusive workplace or challenged discrimination, as this aligns closely with the organisation's values.
