Communications and Engagement Assistant (Apprentice)

Somerset Fire; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Excellent annual leave entitlement

Family - friendly policies

Free gym access and fitness coaching

Access to physiotherapy and eye care

Blue Light Membership and associated;?

Benenden Healthcare options

Access to the Firefighters Charity

Confidential wellbeing and counselling

Cycle to Work Scheme

Sports and social clubs

Job summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in Exeter is offering a Communications and Engagement Apprentice role. This 18‑month fixed term, full‑time contract includes college day release and starts March 2027.

You will gain hands‑on experience across communications, digital content and public engagement, supporting campaigns, events, and how the service keeps communities safe while completing the Multichannel Marketer Apprenticeship through Exeter College.

Qualifications

• A Level 3 qualification (A Levels, BTEC or equivalent).
• Interest in communications, digital marketing and social media.
• Good digital skills and confidence using a range of online tools.
• Excellent customer service and relationship‑building abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create, edit, and publish engaging content.
• Support communication and marketing campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
• Assist with website, intranet and social media content management.
• Help produce media releases and monitor media coverage.
• Support consultation and community engagement activities.
• Assist with organising and delivering events, including staff awards and community events.
• Analyse campaign performance and contribute to reporting.
• Provide excellent customer service and work collaboratively across the team.

Skills

Interest in comms

Digital skills

Customer service

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

Communications and Engagement Assistant (Apprentice)

Contract:18-month fixed term contract, Full time (37 hours per week including college day release)

Salary:Grade 3, starting at£27,709 per annum.

Help Make a Difference in Your Community

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, is looking for a motivated and creative individual to join our Communications and Engagement team as an Apprentice.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop skills and experience in communications, digital content and public engagement with a high profile public service organisation.

As this is an apprentice role, you will be completing the Multichannel Marketer Apprenticeship through Exeter College. The intake for this course is March 2027, so we are looking for candidates that would be available for a March 2027 start date.

About the role:

As a Communications and Engagement Assistant Apprentice, you'll gain hands‑on experience across a busy communications and engagement department.

The role will be varied and rewarding, helping to tell stories and connect with people inside the organisation and across our communities.

You will support work across our three key areas:

• Communications
• Consultation and engagement
• Digital content

You will support a wide range of activities, from creating engaging content and delivering communication campaigns to assisting with public consultations, events and digital channels.

What you’ll be doing:

You will:

• Create, edit, and publish engaging content
• Support communication and marketing campaigns from planning through to evaluation.
• Assist with website, intranet and social media content management.
• Help produce media releases and monitor media coverage.
• Support consultation and community engagement activities.
• Assist with organising and delivering events, including staff awards and community events.
• Analyse campaign performance and contribute to reporting.
• Provide excellent customer service and work collaboratively across the team.

What we are looking for:

To apply, you will need:

• A Level 3 qualification (A Levels, BTEC or equivalent)

We’re particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• An interest in communications, digital marketing and social media.
• Good digital skills and confidence using a range of online tools.
• Excellent customer service and relationship‑building abilities.

You will enjoy a rewarding role supporting a service that helps keep our communities safe alongside a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Family - friendly policies
• Free gym access and fitness coaching
• Access to physiotherapy and eye care support
• Blue Light Membership and associated discounts
• Benenden Healthcare options
• Access to the Firefighters Charity
• Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Sports and social clubs

Closing Date: 2359hrs 8 November 2026.

For an informal conversation regarding the role, or to find out more information, please contact:

Paul Compton, Head of Communications and Engagement via 07966 214122.

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy.

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all the applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands.

Devon and Somerset Fire Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

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.

Job number

PS00892

Internal / external

External

Job type

Support

Location

Exeter

Contract type

Temporary/Fixed term

Hours of work

37 hours per week

22 Oct 2026

Job Description and Person Specification - Communications and Engagement Apprentice.docx

Job Description and Person Specification - Communications and Engagement Apprentice.docx Download

Communications and Engagement Assistant (Apprentice) - Essential Criteria for my Application.docx