Fire Safety Inspector - Surrey County Council : Job Details

The role has a starting salary of £40,296 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

If you are a grey book employee, this role attracts a salary reflective of Watch Commander B, plus 10%. If not already a competent Watch Commander, pay will start on a development basis until competency is achieved and paid in line with agreed national joint council terms. The additional 10% reflects the specialist nature of the role, requirement to work flexibly and to maintain operational competence including fitness.

For applicants applying for Surrey County Council pay scale, this opportunity welcomes applications from qualified and competent Fire Safety Inspectors only. For candidates, applying for a grey book post you must be a Crew Commander or Watch Commander who is competent and operationally fit, with the required Fire Safety qualifications.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are looking for people to carry out the role of a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer. We will also be looking to create a pool of suitable candidates to assist us in managing our retirement profile through the next 12 months.

As a Business Fire Safety Inspector your role will be to inspect and audit high and very high-risk business premises in Surrey to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 on behalf of the fire authority.

About the Role

You will be supported by an experienced team, made up of operational and civilian backgrounds and experience. The role will require you to obtain specialist and technical knowledge in fire safety which will be overseen by a Fire Safety Manager.

This role will involve engaging with various partners and business owners to lead and support people to lawfully resolve regulatory fire safety matters, ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. You will also be responsible for educating businesses and fire teams ensuring shared understanding of risks.

As well as this, you will work independently to manage your calendar with the support of your manager in prioritising workloads. You will carry out consultations, inspection and audit regimes, follow up visits, and decide on appropriate enforcement levels based on audit outcomes.

A typical day in this important role will see the Business Fire Safety Inspector assessing risks and hazards associated with fire, evaluating measures in place to protect people and premises, influencing and supporting businesses to act on recommendations and, where appropriate, reporting breaches and taking required enforcement actions.

You will need to be flexible, respond positively to change and be prepared for continuous learning and professional development throughout your career. The regulations governing the fire safety aspects of buildings are frequently evolving and you will need to ensure that you keep up to date.

You will have the interpersonal skills that give you the ability and flexibility to gain support and influence internal and external stakeholders. We work with businesses, partners, and the public to improve safety in the community.

You must be able to work effectively with technology and able to demonstrate competence with basic software and IT equipment. Accuracy and attention to detail are key skills.

You will be able to demonstrate a calm, confident and resilient approach to unpredictable, challenging or dangerous situations while maintaining respect for others. Lead and Support people to resolve all types of Regulatory Fire Safety matters legally and justifiably. This includes planning inspection and audit regimes, timescales for follow up visits, and deciding on appropriate enforcement levels based on audit outcomes.

A reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility is necessary as you will be required to inspect multiple areas of a building and take equipment with you to carry out your role. This can also include walking around the surrounding areas as well as reviewing a building internally.

Shortlisting CriteriaTo be considered for shortlisting to interview for this position your application will clearly evidence as many of the following as possible:

• Experience of regulation or enforcement of fire safety legislation or similar
• Qualifications and/or experience in Health and Safety
• Experience in the fire safety arena or delivery of fire safety linked activities
• Confident in communication and stakeholder engagement with people both internally and externally.
• Have strong written communication and report writing skills
• People and team leadership and management skills, as the role will offer opportunities to lead Advisors or Business Education Officers
• Level 4 Fire Safety Diploma or working towards (consideration will be given to Level 3 Fire Safety Certificate holders)

You will also be asked to answer five application questions. If successful, further training and qualifications will be provided to enhance and support your continuous development.

Applicants' appointment to this role will be subject to the following:

• Satisfactory references
• Standard DBS clearance
• Fitness test (grey book only)
• Medical clearance via Occupational Health (grey book only)
• Evidence of required qualifications to be shown on request

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14/10/2024 with shortlisting and interview dates to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.