How to Apply
1. All applicants are required to fill out the relevant application form.
This should include a supporting statement, and you must be able to demonstrate on the statement how you believe your skills and experience match the Essential Criteria for the role.
Candidates are encouraged to take care in the completion of their application form in order to provide clear and accurate information. This includes ensuring the number of words used does not exceed the prescribed word count. Candidates are encouraged to use the full allotted word count in order to provide a comprehensive response. Incomplete applications will be excluded from the process.
Completed applications should be submitted electronically by the revised closing date: 09.00 on 2 February 2024 to Juliet.ormerod@bedsfire.gov.uk.
An acknowledgement email will be sent to all candidates to confirm that their application has been received.
2. Internal applications require scrutiny and endorsement from your current line manager.
Internal candidates are encouraged to seek feedback regarding their suitability for promotion prior to completing their application. Candidates are therefore advised to declare their intention to apply at the earliest opportunity to ensure managers are provided with adequate notice.
Once an application is completed, it must be given to a line manager for endorsement. Endorsement will be based on an assessment of the candidate’s performance in their current role, a review of the evidence provided on the application form and professional judgement of the individual’s readiness and suitability for the role of Area Manager.
To promote transparency it is also expected that where a manager is not intending to support an application for promotion, a face to face dialogue will take place to explain the reasons why. Furthermore, the manager(s) are required to provide evidence and commentary to explain the reasons for this decision on the form. This evidence will be quality assured by the sifting panel to ensure that it is comprehensive and provides sufficient justification to support the decision.
In the event that an application is not supported, a member of the sifting panel will contact the manager(s) directly to discuss their rationale and/or to request further clarification as required. In the event that the sifting panel are not satisfied that sufficient evidence has been provided to decline support, they will contact the Head of Department for a final decision.
3. All candidates can request an informal 1-2-1 discussion with our Chief Fire Officer, Andrew Hopkinson, which we will seek to accommodate, subject to availability of all parties.
At Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, we’re not all the same. And that’s our greatest strength. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we think. Because to provide a service that serves everyone, we believe in including everyone.
Be bold, be unique, be you, dare to be different!