Administration Assistant (Operational Support and Improvement)

Networking Women in the Fire Service; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading fire service in the UK as part of the Operational Support and Improvement Team, responsible for liaising with stakeholders and maintaining vital operational processes. This role requires excellent communication, IT skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Contribute to the service's strategic commitments while promoting inclusion and diversity.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills to engage with stakeholders.
• Experience in office-based administration.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support operational tasks and processes.
• Maintain personnel registers and operational workforce records.
• Create and manage reports using MS Office.

Skills

Communication

IT skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisation

Planning

Tools

MS Office

Job description

This is a great opportunity to join Royal Berkshire Fire and Service a Public Service provider who invests in the development and wellbeing of their employees.

As part of the Operational Support and Improvement Team, you will be responsible for liaising with a range of key stakeholders to support the delivery of an effective operational response to the people of Berkshire. The role will involve working closely with and supporting the Operational Support and Improvement Officer in maintaining the key areas such as operational crewing, transfers, promotions and placements.

The role will play a key part in contributing to the success of some of our strategic commitments:

• We will ensure a swift and appropriate response when called to emergencies.
• We will ensure that RBFRS provides good value for money

About you:

The successful candidate will coordinate and support various activities across a range of key areas.

You will possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment, as well as be able to work independently. Confidence and resilience to make appropriate decisions are required in this critical role to ensure that service provision is monitored and maintained.

The successful candidate will be inspired to demonstrate and promote behaviours aligned with the Job Profile and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:

• To create and maintain reports, spreadsheets and correspondence using a variety of software including MS Office software systems.
• Support the maintenance of the establishment, personnel register against operational positions detailing qualifications, temporary moves, promotions and long-term absences to maintain a balanced operational workforce across the Service.
• Support the process required to ensure moves are completed and shared with appropriate teams. Manage and maintain the transfer request register and promotion eligible lists to ensure processes and procedures are in line with policies.
• Support the process and complete administration tasks associated with Wholetime Apprentice placements.
• Contribute and support with the management, coordination and delivery of projects and tasks assigned to the Operational Support and Improvement and Hub Management teams.
• The post holder will also be required to work ‘cross department’ internally and externally to the Service, ensuring business continuity and resilience arrangements are maintained.
• Ensure adherence to processes and procedures, escalating as necessary to appropriate senior management.

Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience):

• Good interpersonal skills, able to clearly and concisely express oneself and engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Experience of delivering tasks to the required standard, planning time and activity to meet deadlines, successfully executing a wide range of tasks
• Confident and able to work independently and to work with and support others
• Good IT skills, ability to produce accurate documentation and records using MS Office software products
• Experience of using databases and internal systems to accurately enter, maintain and interrogate data
• Office based administration experience
• Demonstrable organisation and prioritisation skills

Application and selection process

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

If you are interested in applying for this position, click Apply Now

Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification.

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.

For further details about the role please contact Paul Keenan, Station Manager Operational Support and Improvement or Jordan Fawdon, Operational Support and Improvement Officer at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion.

If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin at [e-mail] or by phone [phone] for an informal discussion.

Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form.

The closing date for applications is 10:00 hours on 16 of July 2025

It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run week commencing 21 July 2025.

Anticipated start date: End of August 2025

Please note that is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge.

Please view our Applicant Privacy Statement on application.

Our Commitments:

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement on application.