Job Description

Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Green Book) plus out of hours standby rota

Salary: Grade 8 - £43,149 to £46,579 per annum plus payment for out of hours standby rota

Location: Great Baddow, other Fire Service sites and attendance at incidents

Closing Date: Sunday 8th November 2026

The Role

Within the Protection Department for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), we are passionate and committed to Fire Investigation. In the role of Fire Investigation Officer (FIO), you will proactively investigate fires, supporting the criminal justice system through consistent, high-level investigations in which to determine the cause, origin and spread of fire. Additionally, you will support the Fire Investigation Manager in the design, implementation and delivery of training associated with fire investigation, providing additional support to existing operational officers in maintaining competence in Fire Investigation.

You will also be responsible for the formulation, preparation and production of processes required to ensure the delivery of standards, as associated with the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice.

To ensure ECFRS’ Fire Investigation coverage in the event of an out of hours event, there is a requirement to provide cover outside of normal working hours (participation in a “Standby Rota”). This is currently based upon a three-week rotation (124.5 standby hours over a three-week period). During these hours, the role holder will need to be available to attend Fire Investigation at incidents within the county.

What You Will Be Working On

• Investigation of fires occurring within Essex, including compilation of associated notes and report writing.
• Coordination & review of training needs for Fire Investigation, in accordance with the Fire Investigation Fire Standard. Ensuring that Tier 1 and Tier 2 Fire Investigation Officers have a structured and aligned acquisition of training in order to achieve and maintain competence in their role.
• To formulate, prepare and produce methods to analyse fire trends and provide advice and support through Prevention and Protection safety messages.
• To review Tier 1 fire investigations ensuring that they are carried out effectively and correct supplementary reporting is followed.
• Develop and monitor systems for the identification of fire trends and emerging risks, maintaining partnerships with Essex Police and other organisations/departments to coordinate responses and inform.
• To formulate, prepare and produce suitable processes and policies in relation to the delivery of Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice. Manage and review internal FI Team audits and processes, recording results and measures taken.
• To support the consultation and negotiation process with appropriate representative bodies on proposed policy changes and to support the implementation of new and updated policies.
• Attend Regional and National meetings, deputising for the Fire Investigation Manager when requested.
• To (on occasions) attend courts of Law, including Coroners court to present findings associated with Fire Investigation

What Are We Looking For?

This role will be perfect for you if you are passionate about fire investigation and are motivated by what you can bring to ECFRS and the people of Essex.

You will have experience in the creation and delivery of training material, being able to adapt your training to suit audience needs where required.

We would love to find someone that has strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop themselves.

To be eligible to apply for these opportunities, you must:

• Whilst considered desirable at point of recruitment, the provision of associated qualifications in Fire Investigation are not essential for this role. Any successful candidate(s) will be enrolled on the Level 5 Fire Investigation Practical in accordance with the NFCC Development Workbook. Applicants must therefore be willing and capable of undertaking this qualification as successful completion of this is a requirement of the role.
• Level 3 standard of education (A-Level or equivalent)
• Full driving licence.
• Be able to travel around the county as required, to attend incidents and visit all ECFRS fire stations and sites as required

Should candidates who are successful in being offered a role subsequently not be able to attain the relevant Fire Investigation qualification within twelve months (where courses have been reasonably available), the Service’s Performance Management policies will be applied.

If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.

How to apply

You will be required to submit a CV detailing a minimum of five years employment and / or education history, along with a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification.

You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count of your supporting statement should not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications) should you wish. Your CV and additional documents will be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

Assessment and selection:

The assessment and selection approach will be:

Stage 1

Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria).

Stage 2

Skills based practical assessment, Interview and presentation – If successfully shortlisted, the final part of the recruitment process will include skills based practical assessment, presentation and interview (further details will be shared accordingly and in a timely manner).

It is anticipated these will be held week commencing 23rd November 2026.

Assessments will be made against positive indicators taken from the Code of Ethics and the NFCC Leadership Framework.

You can find the NFCC Leadership Framework here: NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)

And guidance around the Code of Ethics here:

Core Code of Ethics England Guidance May 21 V0.pdf (ukfrs.com)

Guidance on Safeguarding polices can be found here:

Essex Fire - Safeguarding Statements

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact Andre Turner on 07785 753473 or andre.turner@essex-fire.gov.uk

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.

You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits

Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners

If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.

For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@essex-fire.gov.uk

Safeguarding

Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.

You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.

The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.

This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.

Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk

You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk

You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire