Ops Risk Support Role – Surrey Fire and Rescue Service

Ops Risk Support Role – Surrey Fire and Rescue Service

SFRS is recruiting a permanent Operational Risk Support role, formerly advertised as Watch Commander Ops Risk.

The role attracts salary equivalent to Watch Commander B plus a 10% day worker allowance. If the successful applicant is not already a competent Watch Commander, pay will be on a development basis until Watch Commander competence is achieved, in line with SFRS recruitment protocol and NJC terms.

Applications are welcomed from competent Firefighters, including acting Crew Commanders, Crew Commanders and Watch Commanders. Developing Firefighters are not eligible. Applicants must be competent in their current role, operationally fit and meet the relevant experience and qualification requirements.

The role supports operational crews to gather, review and use risk information for a wide range of premises. This includes planning and allocating visits, assuring completed work, supporting and training operational personnel, and improving the quality of operational risk information available to crews.

The post offers hybrid working and will be based at Woodhatch Place, Reigate, or one of SFRS’s three fire safety offices, with travel across Surrey. The successful candidate will report to Station Commander Bradley Thomas and work with operational crews, businesses, partners and other stakeholders.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience of:
• leading and managing people or tasks to deliver an effective service;
• managing changing priorities and situations;
• gathering risk information and using data systems;
• communicating effectively with colleagues, the public, partners and other agencies;
• engaging, influencing and motivating others;
• applying relevant information to make sound decisions.

As part of the application, please answer the following four questions in your supporting statement:

Provide an example of when you gathered, reviewed or used risk information to support operational activity or improve safety outcomes. How did you ensure it was accurate, relevant and effectively communicated?
Describe a situation where you successfully influenced others, gained cooperation or built understanding around a complex issue. What approach did you take and what was the result?
Describe a time when you identified a weakness, gap or inconsistency in a process, system or piece of information. What action did you take and what was the impact?
Tell us about a time when you identified a significant operational risk associated with a building, site, process or activity. How did you evaluate and communicate the risk, and contribute to reducing it?

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, DBS clearance, fitness and medical clearance where applicable, and evidence of required qualifications.

Closing date: 2 October 2026. Interviews to follow.

For an informal discussion, please contact Station Commander Bradley Thomas: bradley.thomas@surreycc.gov.uk