Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Officer

An opportunity has arisen for a fixed term position of 12 months from the 1st April 2024 for the Councils’ Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Officer. The substantive postholder has temporarily moved into a new role. The Council is looking for an individual with the qualifications and experience to provide cover for the role.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the role

Working within the Health, Safety & Risk Management team and reporting to the Health, Safety & Risk Management Lead, the post has a diverse responsibility which includes:

• Managing the emergency service for Reading that ensures that senior officers, other members of staff and, where appropriate, Members understand their roles and responsibilities and are able to carry out their duties in dealing with an emergency.

• Liaising with colleagues across the Authority to provide corporate advice and support on Emergency Planning, risk management and public safety, including:

• Advising on the safety of public events via RBC Safety Advisory Group
• Planning Applications
• Advice to schools
• Strategic Risks

• Where required, updating the Emergency Plans for Reading Borough Council, including those statutory requirements imposed by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

• Completing all statutory planning requirements of the authority with regard to The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999, Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996,Radiation (Emergency Preparedness & Public Information) Regulations 2001, Local Authority and Emergency Services Information Edition 6 (Defence Nuclear materials Transport Contingency Arrangements), the Emergency Planning aspects of the Reservoirs Act 1975 and to support the authority and other council departments in discharging the duties of the Floods and Water Management Act 2010 and Flood Risk Regulations 2009

• Being the tactical advisor for the Council’s response to emergencies, and reporting to officers and members where appropriate and making recommendations for the Council’s response, including:

• Initiating Emergency Planning procedures in accordance with the Emergency Plan in the event of an emergency
• Providing 24 hour response for the Council in the event of an emergency
• Organising the dissemination of flood and severe weather warnings throughout RBC
• Organising the response to minor emergencies that require routine assistance
• Maintaining the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and back up EOC including all the equipment therein
• Management of the RBC Emergency Stores
• Activating the Emergency Communications systems for the Borough.

• Maintaining and activating the RBC Emergency Response Vehicle and Berkshire Mobile Incident Support Unit

• Working with other Berkshire Unitary Authority Emergency Planning Officers sharing the responsibility for the strategic elements of Emergency Planning across the Berkshire area in support of the Memorandum of Understanding and participating in joint exercises with the emergency services and other organisations.

• Supporting the building of community resilience amongst partner organisations in the Thames Valley, including:

• Liaising with a range of outside organisations, including Government departments, public utilities and all other organisations within the Borough on matters relating to civil contingencies planning, e.g. the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Health Trusts, community and voluntary services
• Writing or assisting with the production of joint plans
• Providing information, briefings and training on emergency procedures

• Providing support and advice to Council teams to ensure that they are able to continue to deliver services during emergencies.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Robin Pringle, Health Safety and Risk Management Lead at Robin.Pringle@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: 13th March 2024

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.