Area Manager Policy and Assurance

Area Manager Salary: £65,690 to £72,054

+ Flexi duty allowance (20% of AM salary)

+ Area Manager Allowance (details below)

+ Fire Cover Gold (if applicable)

Total salary package circa £85,000 – £93,000

Access to a Lease/provided Car Scheme

Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading

Superb Pension Scheme available

Other information about our benefits can be found here

The Area Manager Operational Policy and Assurance is a vital role within Royal Berkshire’s Senior Leadership Team. It is responsible for a range of important areas of our organisation and intrinsic to how we continue to improve the delivery of services and keep our staff and communities safe.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is a progressive and community-focused organisation that works as one team to deliver services to the people of Berkshire. We have an engaged and dedicated team of some 700 diverse and talented individuals, an inclusive culture as well as a commitment to the training, development and wellbeing of our people.

The role has a key operational focus and as such is open to applicants that are currently operating in the role of Competent Station Manager in receipt of CPD with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management or above.

You will be an effective collaborator with successes and experience working in a multi-agency context, building effective relationships.

You will be able to lead complex functions with an ability to ensure high quality of delivery and provide the organisation with confidence of compliance, assurance and learning across operations.

You will be working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and therefore it is essential that you have excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills with a high quotient of political acuity.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will be able to work effectively as part of a high performing team and be adaptable to support the delivery of the Service’s purpose.

To provide an effective and efficient multidisciplinary function that supports organisational compliance, continuous improvement, Assurance delivery of Prevention, Protection and Response services and drives efficiency through collaboration.

You will be responsible for the following teams and accountable for delivery of work across all these areas.

• Service Delivery Policy management and development
• Collaboration
• Thames Valley Fire Control Service (SRO)

• Operational Learning and Assurance
• Response Resource Coordination and Support
• Operational Risk Information and Emergency Planning
• Coordinating RBFRS interaction with the Local resilience Forum
• Business Continuity

Key role requirements are detailed in the job profile attached (knowledge, skills and experience).

​​​​​​​Please see the link to the Job Profile Area Manager Policy and Assurance.

For further details about the role or to simply discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our recruitment process please contact Mark Arkwell, Deputy Chief Fire Officer arkwellm@rbfrs.co.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with our process please contact Ellece Ott, Resourcing Adviser (Otte@rbfrs.co.uk).

The closing date for applications at Stage One is 9:00am Monday, 13 January 2025.

Candidates should be available for Interview/Assessment W/c 27 January – 4 February 2025.

Stage One

• CV and Supporting Statement (the statement should not exceed 2000 words), detailing why you are the best person for the role and how you meet the person specification.
  • You will be informed if you are shortlisted for Stage Two below.

Stage Two

• Presentation (Role related subject See ‘other considerations’ for further information)
  • Competency based interview
  • Clarity 4D Personality Profile (not assessed)

Stage Three (If successful at Stage Two)

• Values and Behaviours Based Interview

• The Area Manager allowance is based on role at entry and varies with Green and Grey Book pay awards.  Staff who enter on the development rate of pay will be paid an additional allowance equivalent to the difference between the development rate of pay and the entry point of Grade 10.  When the staff member has attained competence an increased rate of pay will be paid via an allowance equivalent to the difference between the competent rate of pay and the next spinal column point on Grade 10.
• Competent Station Manager in receipt of CPD, with evidence of acquisition of knowledge and understanding relating to people and process management (Leading Others and Leading the Business courses or equivalent).
• You will need to evidence that you hold an L3 Advanced Incident Commander or L4 Strategic Incident Command qualification (Skills for Justice). Candidates will be required to successfully acquire the L4 qualification within 6 months of appointment, as appropriate.
• You will be required to pass a relevant medical assessment as appropriate, and a fitness test (or evidence of recent pass).
• You will also need to satisfy the requirements of an Enhanced DBS check with Child and Adult Barred.
• Role related presentation: Candidates taken through to Stage 2 will be required to deliver a 20-30min presentation. The topic to be discussed is:

‘As AM Policy and Assurance, what features will you seek assurance of or establish to ensure RBFRS has confidence its response staff are effective, supported and safe. How will you achieve this?’

If shortlisted, you will be required to submit this presentation to recruitment@rbfrs.co.uk by 9am on Monday 27th Jan 2025

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, that is appropriate to the role applied for.

Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

Our Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet these behaviours in line with the job profile/person specification throughout the selection process.  

Please note your personal responsibility regarding potential pension tax charges. Candidates are encouraged to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. ​​​​​​​

Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity.  All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 

We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels they can bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more, visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement via this link.