Area Manager – Talent Pool

Are you an inspiring and dynamic leader with extensive Fire and Rescue knowledge, ready to drive innovation and improvement as part of Avon Fire and Rescue’s Senior Leadership Team? Then apply to be in our Area Manager Talent Pool today!

Hours: Flexi Duty System

Salary: Area Manager B with an additional 20% flexible duty allowance.

Location: Avon Fire & Rescue Service Area

Summary

Avon Fire and Rescue Service are seeking inspiring and dynamic, values-based leaders, who can respond to challenge through innovative and ambitious strategic leadership as part of our Service Leadership Team. The service is seeking to expand our Area Manager talent pool for potential vacancies arising. This is an exciting time to be joining our Senior Leadership Team, who will help shape and deliver on our ambitious plans.

We are looking for candidates with an enthusiastic and innovative approach to leadership, extensive Fire and Rescue Service knowledge, ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and drive continual improvement across our Service to make our communities safer.

About the role

  • The Service is seeking dynamic individuals, with visionary leadership and the capability to make things happen. The role will be responsible for strategic planning, direction and guidance to ensure the Service’s vision, values and objectives are achieved.
  • If appointed as an Area Manager, you will be part of the Flexi-Duty system. Day to day managerial work will vary depending upon the role offered but you will be expected to be highly motivated, and able to operate in a busy working environment in line with our Service values and committed to making our Service Stronger and our Community Safer.
  • This role will provide a successful candidate with the opportunity to enhance the culture and values of Avon Fire and Rescue Service through the provision of effective strategic leadership and contribute to the shaping of the future services provided to our communities through strong collaboration and clear decision making in line with the service plan.
  • To be successful, you will have a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by the Service and the Sector locally, regionally and nationally.  You will possess high levels of resilience and demonstrate exceptional experience in leading and motivating diverse teams and services.
  • This role will be at the rate of Area Manager B and have an additional 20% flexible duty allowance. When on duty, you will be expected to respond to locations within the Service area within a reasonable timeframe.
  • The role will be reporting to an Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

What we will need from you

We welcome applications from current competent tactical level incident commanders who have:

  • A Level 5 Qualification in Leadership and Management, or equivalent practical experience at Group Manager level and above.
  • Been assessed as competent to operate at Incident Command Level 3, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of the functions of, and the issues facing the Fire and Rescue Service.
  • Strong organisational and interpersonal skills to support effective communication and networking necessary to running an effective function,
  • Confidence, ability and desire to design and implement strategy, and the personal qualities necessary to inspire others to deliver high quality services.
  • Experience managing people, budget and operational resources.
  • Proven track record of working in a dynamic changing environment, delivering innovation across a Fire and Rescue Service and leading efficiency initiatives.
  • Experience in driving and managing change, display a high level of inter-personal skills and an inclusive leadership style which encourages engagement.
  • The ability to motivate and lead others, and a commitment to improve public service delivery.
  • The ability to act as an ambassador for professional standards demonstrating personal integrity and values in your approach.
  • The ability to work with a range of stakeholders and articulate strategy and vision, while understanding how to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Extensive experience of leading others to deliver strategic plans, and monitoring and evaluating performance to ensure the effectiveness of service delivery.
  • The knowledge, skills and behaviours to demonstrate excellent leadership qualities which align with the NFCC Leadership Framework, professional standards and our Service Values.

Key dates

  • Stage 1: Application – Submit by 17th February 2025 at 12:00pm.
  • Stage 2: Staff Engagement Panel – 3rd and 4th March 2025

Panel discussion involving staff members used to assess alignment with the team dynamics and workplace culture.

  • Stage 3:  Operational Assessment – 10th, 11th and 12th March 2025

A structured evaluation used to test a candidate’s ability to handle firefighting operations, emergency response, and decision-making under pressure, including incident command and decision-making, technical skills, leadership & communication and situational judgment.

  • Stage 4: Interview – 17th and 19th March 2025

The interview stage of the selection process will involve 2 sections:

Interview (60 Minutes) – Panel 

A structured conversation using competency style questions to assess knowledge skills and behaviours against criteria.

Presentation (20 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions) – Panel

A presentation based on a topic area provided in advance of the interview date.

Please download the full job description (258kB pdf)

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit the following to [email protected] by the closing date of 17th February 2025 at 12.00pm:

  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • A personal statement (1500 word maximum) referencing how you meet the shortlisting criteria and detailing your suitability for the role against the job description and person specification.

If you require reasonable adjustments, AF&RS is committed to support your needs whilst ensuring consistency and fairness in the process. When applying, it is the individual’s responsibility to declare the need for any reasonable adjustments in respect of the process.

If you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please email [email protected] with your contact details and we will be in touch.

With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire & Rescue Services to undertake a standard DBS checks for all employees.  All grey book job roles require an enhanced DBS check. These will be renewed throughout employment.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under-represented.

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