Watch Commander OTDL – Breathing Apparatus Instructor – West Midlands Fire Service

Watch Commander OTDL – Breathing Apparatus Instructor
Publish date: 04 February 2026
Closing date: 20 February 2026

Overview

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the second largest fire and rescue service in England, serving an area of 902km square and a population of over 2.9 million people.

Our vision is ‘Making the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier’.

This vision and the strategic goals outlined in ‘Our Strategy’ are what drives the people, professionalism and pride with which we serve our communities.

The WMFS Operational Training and Development Function are pleased to be recruiting for high performing, self-motivated and committed Watch Commanders who possesses strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, instilling a sense of pride and professionalism in all that they do.

You will need an excellent understanding of the organisational strategy. You will be expected to support and positively promote the strategy of the organisation both internally and externally and have a good understanding of how OT&D operates alongside ‘The Strategy’.

Applications are invited from high performing, competent Watch Commanders or Crew Commanders who have been working towards the appropriate development pathway. You will need all of the following Breathing Apparatus specific skills (BAi, FBTi, PPVi). These skills are essential to the role and priority will be given to applicants who hold all three. External applicants must be serving in wholetime positions and eligible to enter a selection process to Watch Commander.

The four positions will be permanent: two Watch Commander B roles, and two Watch Commander A.

This will be a full selection process, that will run independently of any brigade-wide processes.

These positions attract an additional payment to support the flexible approach required for delivering operational training.

Each applicant must hold a current UK driving licence and be willing to work at various locations across the service area. They will need to be flexible in their work pattern to support service requirements when needed. There will be a requirement to carry out 22 resilience shifts per year.

The BA team are highly motivated and driven to support learning and development across the organisation, assisting all to achieve excellence in everything they do. Applicants will need a good understanding of a coaching and mentoring approach to learning and development, helping individuals and teams to maximise their potential.

Assessing and teaching qualifications will need to be gained for this role, so if candidates already hold these qualifications or are working to achieve these qualifications, it will support the application.

An ability to connect with people across all levels of the organisation and foster solid relationships based on core values is essential. The successful candidate will have strong leadership skills.