Working Hours: 17.5 hours per week (flexible)
Pay: £31,022 (pro-rata)
Location: Witham Fire Station
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Sunday 6th September '26
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Operational training support advisorto join the Operational Training Department at Witham Fire Station.
This team is responsible forthe planning and organisation of operational trainingacross the Service
This is a varied and fast-paced role where you’ll play a key part in supporting the smooth planning and delivery of training. You’ll be at the centre of coordination – organising courses, managing bookings, and ensuring everything runs efficiently.
You’ll need to be comfortable working both independently and as part of a busyteam, with a proactive and flexible approach.
Key Responsibilities
Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders
Co-ordinate and administer training courses and events
Maintain training systems, including the Training Planner
Schedule events and liaise with Operational Training Officers and trainers
Complete administrative tasks to ensure events are delivered smoothly
Raise purchase orders for training courses and related costs
Liaise with catering providers to arrange refreshments for training sessions
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
Highly organised with strong attention to detail
A confident communicator with good problem-solving skills
Self-motivated and able to manage their workload effectively
Experienced in administration, ideally in a training or events environment
You should also have:
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and SharePoint
Experience booking and planning events or training (desirable)
Willingness to learn new in-house systems, including finance processes
What we offer
Flexible working hours (15 hours per week)
A supportive and collaborative team environment
The opportunity to contribute to essential operational training within the fire service
If you’re organised, adaptable, and enjoy coordinating events in a busy environment, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply
All candidates
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) - Shortlisting will be on the 7th September
Stage 2
Role specific and values-based interviews will be held w/c 14th September
Assessments will be made against positive indicators taken from the Code of Ethics, the NFCC Leadership Framework and ECFRS Safeguarding policies:
Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact the RecruitmentTeam via email at recruitment@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.ukand about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire
Essex is a county full of contrasts - from busy towns and coastal communities to rural villages and growing cities. The people who live, work, and travel here have a wide range of needs, and we're here to help keep them safe.
Our headquarters and control centre are based at Kelvedon Park in Kelvedon, where we coordinate our prevention, protection and emergency response services. We operate from 50 fire stations across the county, supported by a dedicated Urban Search and Rescue facility.
We’re proud to serve 1.88 million residents, making us one of the largest fire and rescue services in the country. Essex is home to major airports at Stansted and Southend, the seaport at Harwich, Tilbury docks, Lakeside shopping centre, key sections of the M25 and M11 motorways and seven underground stations.
Wherever you are in Essex, we’re here when you need us most - making Essex safer together.
