Fire Safety Inspecting Officer

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A county council in the UK is seeking a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer to enforce fire safety legislation across various premises. The role involves educating and advising business owners, reviewing fire risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, strong communication skills, and the ability to travel. Flexible working options are available, with a salary range of £31,022 to £42,620 per annum.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme membership

Travel and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Career development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in fire safety inspections and assessments.
• Understanding of fire risk management and prevention.
• Ability to educate and advise on fire safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Educate and advise on fire safety legislation.
• Review fire risk assessments and ensure compliance.
• Travel across Suffolk for inspections and meetings.

Skills

Fire safety legislation knowledge

Assessment and inspection skills

Effective communication

Problem-solving skills

Education

A Level 4 qualification or equivalent

Tools

Fire safety assessment tools

Job description

• Suffolk County Council - Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
• Address: Lowestoft South Fire Station, Stradbroke Road, Lowestoft, Princes Street Fire Station, Princes Street, Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds Fire Station, Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds. There is a requirement to travel across the county
• Salary: Firefighter to Watch Manager B in accordance with NJC pay scales - Firefighter Terms and Conditions
• Alternatively, if you are appointed on Local Government Terms and Conditions, £31,022 to £42,620 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 42 hours per week (Firefighter Terms and Conditions) or 37 hours per week (Local Government Terms and Conditions) - Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We’re pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to join our dedicated and dynamic Protection department in a highly specialised role focused on fire safety enforcement across Suffolk.

As a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer, you’ll play a vital role within the fire and rescue service – educating, advising, and enforcing fire safety legislation in a wide range of premises throughout the county. Your responsibilities will include reviewing fire risk assessments, ensuring appropriate fire prevention measures are in place, and guiding business owners and responsible persons on how to meet legal requirements.

You will be based at Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds or Princes Street Fire Stations, with the requirement to travel across the county. Hybrid working is flexible where service needs allow and with the manager’s discretion.

Your role and responsibilities

You can join this position under either Firefighter Terms and Conditions (from Firefighter to Watch Manager rank) or Local Government Terms and Conditions, with a salary range of £31,022 to £42,620 per annum (pro rata for part time). Grade/rank will depend on experience and qualifications:

• Firefighter (in accordance with NJC pay scales) / Grade 4 (£31,022 per annum)
• Crew Manager (in accordance with NJC pay scales) / Grade 5 (£37,280 per annum)
• Watch Manager (in accordance with NJC pay scales) / Grade 6 (£42,620 per annum) – an A Level 4 qualification is desirable, but if you don’t already have it, you will have the opportunity to complete it as part of the role.

In addition to holding the qualification, you will also need to demonstrate that you have the desired values and skills. Grey book applicants will also need to satisfy the requirements of the Service Progression Document (SPD).

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently under‑represented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).

For more information

Please contact Station Manager, Neil Young for a casual conversation. You can reach him by calling 07749 400598 or emailing [e-mail].

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Competence Framework for Fire Safety Regulators.

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Have you ever had to interpret and apply legislation or regulations in your work? If so, please give an example.
2. Tell us about a time you had to make a decision with limited supervision that had significant implications. What was the outcome?
3. What experience do you have in writing reports or communicating complex information clearly to different audiences?
4. Can you provide an example of when you had to manage a complaint or deal with a difficult customer? How did you handle it?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 16 November 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

Benefits

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).