Job overview

Fantastic opportunity for a motivated fire safety professional.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Fire Safety Officer capable of supporting in the delivery of a new integrated fire safety strategy.

Working alongside their Fire Safety Team colleagues, the successful candidate will be expected to utilise their expertise and support in the delivery of operational fire safety throughout the Trust.

As well as conducting training throughout the Trust, this role offers the opportunity for further progression through internal and external training, enabling personal development whilst having a significant role in ensuring the safety of staff, patients, and visitors to Trust premises.

This role will involve being the lead in fire safety training for the Trust. 

Main duties of the job

The Fire Safety Officer will:

  • Have an understanding of all current aspects of fire safety related legislation, best practice and national guidance, advising management and staff appropriately, producing formal reports as well as day to day guidance. To know when to seek support from the relevant fire specialist.
  • Be the lead Instructor, delivering various types of fire safety training to staff.
  • To work within common systems of working and mutual support arrangements to ensure Trust compliance with existing or new fire legislation.
  • Liaise and consult with managers and staff at all levels of the organisation in respect to related statutory fire compliance.
  • To promote a positive fire safety culture by encouraging an awareness of the standards and protocols.
  • To assist with the delivery of all aspects of the Fire Safety Management Strategy, liaising with FSA’s and other relevant managers.
  • To support the programme of Fire Safety Inspections, producing reports and monitoring action plans where required.

    • The Fire Safety Officer must have:

  • A proven fire safety or health and safety background; with operational involvement in risk management.
  • A strong understanding of:
  • Fire safety legislation and fire behaviours.
  • Risk assessment, auditing, and inspections.
  • Operational rolling programmes.
  • Staff fire safety training.

    • Travelling to other sites will be a requirement, therefore access to a suitable vehicle will be desirable.

    *Note: Healthcare experience is desirable but not essential.

    Working for our organisation

    The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Fire Safety Team is a new team which was launched in March 2022. 

    We take pride in doing our utmost to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors on our premises. 

    We are a friendly, dedicated, and supportive team that is looking for a likeminded individual to join our team who we can support to develop further into a fully fledged fire safety professional. 

    Fire Safety Team management and the Trust as a whole supports flexible and hybrid working where possible, we have a strong understanding of the need for a suitable work-life balance. 

    The Fire Safety Officer post will involve a mixture of home and office working, as well as attending Trust sites to conduct training and other fire safety tasks, such as audits and inspections. 

    All work related equipment required to undertake this role will be provided by the Trust.

    Person specification

    Essential and Desired

    Essential criteria

  • NEBOSH Fire or Health and Safety Certificate (working towards or similar qualification)
  • Experience in a risk management or fire safety role
  • Experience in organising, developing and delivering fire or health and safety training

    • Desirable criteria

  • Training qualification such as IOSH Train the Trainer
  • Level 2 or above Fire Risk Assessment qualification, such as the Level 3 ABBE FPA Fire Risk Assessment Certificate
  • Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

    • ** Please Note that Internal at Risk Employees will be given preference for this position**

    We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward for this vacancy at any time should we receive an overwhelming response of applications. We therefore encourage applicants to apply early if you wish to be considered for this post.

    If you do not hear from the recruitment 4 weeks within the advertised closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage. Please ensure that you check your emails on a regular basis for any recruitment updates regarding this vacancy. If you are not successful at the shortlisting stage and would like feedback, please contact the Recruitment Team directly for feedback. 

    Successful applicants for clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the national Care Certificate qualification and will be supported to attain this once in post.

    The Trust is committed to equal opportunities, providing opportunities for flexible working and is a non-smoking organisation.

    As a Trust we are passionate about Anti-Racism, Disability Inclusion, and LGBTQ+ Equality, and are committed to diversifying our staff team in all areas and at all levels of seniority to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. Therefore, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from people who belong to a minority or marginalised community, including from Black and Asian, Disabled (including hidden disabilities such as Neurodiversity, Mental Health, etc), or Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans or Queer (LGBTQ+) people.

    Furthermore, Disabled applicants have the option of requesting that their application is considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS). Please indicate your intention to apply under the GIS in the relevant section of your application. Regardless of whether you participate in the scheme or have shared a disability, you will be provided the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the interview process at each stage of the recruitment process.

    Due to the nature of the work some posts may be subject to a Standard Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997.

    Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances of your