Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Dcfo)

Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in shaping the future of West Sussex Fire and Rescue? Read more below…

Salary: £126,000 (basic) includes a 20% flexi duty system (FDS) allowance.

Contract: Permanent, Full-time.

Location: Your primary office location will be County Hall in Chichester, and you will also have the flexibility to work from other stations throughout West Sussex. Additionally, there will be opportunities for you to work remotely from home, as deemed appropriate for your work responsibilities.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are on a journey of continuous improvement demonstrating our ability to deliver services that benefit the community over the last 12 months. We are proud to have opened the new Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre, where the state-of-the-art facilities designed place a real emphasis on the continued development of our staff. As we look ahead, we remain committed to continuously improving our organisational culture supporting our mission to empower and support our people to be the best they can be, to deliver to the highest standards when serving our communities and to uphold the values of our fire and rescue service.

As Deputy Chief Fire Officer, you will play a crucial role in leading and managing our fire service, ensuring the safety and protection of our residents. You will collaborate closely with the Chief Fire Officer and other key stakeholders to develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our fire service.

This role requires a visionary leader with the ability to build strong relationships both within and outside our organization. Your exceptional communication skills will be crucial as you collaborate with key stakeholders, effectively conveying our strategic objectives and relentlessly advocating for the resources necessary to fulfil our vital mission.

Community Risk Management Plan

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Assist the Chief Fire Officer in providing leadership and strategic direction to the fire service.
• Oversee the operational activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Identify areas for improvement and innovation, driving the continuous development of our fire service.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and professionalism among the fire service personnel.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with external agencies, governing bodies, and stakeholders.
• Engage in emergency planning and preparedness, ensuring effective response and coordination during fire incidents or other emergencies.
• Participate in budget planning and allocate resources efficiently to support optimal service delivery.

Living in West Sussex

West Sussex is the sunniest county in the United Kingdom. It is a beautiful and diverse county which covers both stunning coastlines and the South Downs National Park. The county encompasses hills, charming villages, historic castles, harbours, farmland, and market towns and is a popular location to live and work for people of all ages.

What we need from you:

• Ability to work independently, making sound decisions to solve specific program problems, prioritize resources, and evaluate performance, using professional judgment to make effective decisions where there are no clear-cut answers available.
• Outstanding communication skills to influence and persuade others in creating, assessing, and delivering effective business solutions.
• Ability to recognise where change is needed and to challenge existing practices, processes and activities and identify and deliver effective solutions which promote change.
• Ability to use own judgement to identify, define and analyse alternative courses of action, thinking creatively to deliver innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Exceptional people management and performance management skills with the ability to lead and inspire, providing direction and support to individuals and teams.
• Broad knowledge of public sector services, the macro, social and economic context within which local authorities work and the implications of this for delivery of the County Council’s and Fire & Rescue Service aims.
• Broad understanding of service delivery models, concepts and principles gained through extensive business exposure in a range of organisations or services.
• A transformational leader with significant leadership and management experience.
• Experience of successfully taking strategic command during a major incident/civil emergency and experience of operating in a senior leadership role gained within a Fire & Rescue environment.
• Demonstrably accomplished in improving the safety, security, and resilience of communities.

What we offer you?

• In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:
• 35 days annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually.             
• A very generous pension scheme.
• Varied flexible working options.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee assistance scheme.
• A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres.
• A range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives.

Together, we will make West Sussex a safer place and leave an everlasting impact on our community. To apply click the link to take you through to our website where you will find out how to apply.