Crew Manager – Special Operations USAR – Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has a fantastic opportunity available for a Crew Manager – Special Operations USAR to join our National Resilience team based in Exeter on a permanent contract.

From 1 April, we are introducing development rates of pay for any new individuals moving into a development or an acting-up role. These pay rates are set out by the National Joint Council.

About the Crew Manager – Special Operations USAR role:

As our Crew Manager – Special Operations USAR, you will be responsible, under the direction of the USAR Team Leader, for the day-to-day running of the duty USAR team and ensuring that appliances, equipment, and personnel attached to the team are effective and in a state of readiness to meet all normal emergency requirements. Additionally, you will assist with the management of Station 60 personnel, and out posted National Resilience trained Staff both Wholetime and call-back.

Key responsibilities of the Crew Manager role will include: 

• Inform and educate your community to improve awareness of safety matters
• Lead the work of teams and individuals to achieve their objectives and provide feedback
• Take responsibility for personal performance and develop your own skills to improve performance
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with people
• Contribute to the identification and planning of development needs of teams and individuals
• Investigate and report on events to inform future practice
• Lead and support people to resolve operational events
• Drive, manoeuvre and redeploy fire service vehicles
• support the national training delivery function

Find out more

What we’re looking for in our Crew Manager:

• Knowledge of the Training for Competence framework
• Experience working in the field of National Resilience (eg USAR, HVP, LACE water rescue, rope rescue, safety at height and confined spaces,)
• Sound operational knowledge and experience and an appreciation of the dynamic environment in which the USAR team operates
• Leadership skills: Has the potential to control situations and give directions to others in a positive and persuasive manner. Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-organisation, self-control and diplomacy
• Flexibility and adaptability – provision of extended periods of operational response in respect of major incidents inside and outside Service’s geographic area. Willing to work additional hours to meet the needs of the Service
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Maintenance of a high level of fitness.
• Able to work at extreme heights and in confined spaces
• USAR 2 qualified and in date
• Level 1 ICS qualified and in date

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are invited from existing suitably experienced and qualified Firefighters and Crew Managers. Eligible applicants will need to meet the following criteria as a minimum:

• Be a competent Firefighter
• Be competent in the national qualification of USAR operations 1&2
• Able to demonstrate/evidence significant leadership experience
• Not subject to formal performance improvement actions, nor have any live disciplinary sanctions

How to apply

The successful candidate will be expected to provide a base for their period of standby duty within 30 minutes of USARs Station 60 and will also be expected to give a commitment in principle to work in the USAR team for a minimum of 3 years, subject to the maintenance of the necessary competencies, fitness and medical standards.

As part of our selection process you will be required to undertake a Leading Others Skills Build, ICS potential and Drill Ground Assessment.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, you will need to complete the application form via the link below which will include a personal impact statement. The personal impact statement relates to each of the four quadrants of the NFFC Leadership Framework as well as operational and professional expertise. Your impact statement should focus on demonstrating your impact at ‘Leading Others’ level.

You will also need to detail how you meet the following essential requirements of the role:

• Sound operational knowledge and experience and an appreciation of the dynamic environment in which the Special Operations team operates.
• Leadership skills: Have the potential to control situations and give directions to others in a positive and persuasive manner.
• Self-Control and diplomacy

The information you provide in the personal impact statement, along with details of how you meet the above essential requirements, will be used to shortlist your application.

For more information concerning this position please contact SM Rich Harling

Please see below Job Description document for this vacancy.

Please ensure that your Line Manager is aware of your application.

Would Line Managers please bring the contents of this advert to the attention of anyone who is eligible to apply who may be on a course/on leave.

Our values

Our Values

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities we serve and aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to join our team.