Fitness Advisor

Networking Women in the Fire Service; Exeter; On-site; GBP 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fire and rescue service is seeking a Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor based in Exeter. This full-time position involves conducting fitness assessments and providing advice on physical fitness and nutrition to staff. The successful candidate will have a degree in Physical Education or related fields, alongside practical experience as a Fitness Instructor. This role offers a competitive salary starting at £42,839 with benefits including flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous pension scheme

Annual leave

Family leave policies

Access to physiotherapy

Professional development opportunities

Free gym access

Eye care support

Blue Light Membership discounts

Healthcare options

Sports and social groups

Counselling services

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Degree in Physical Education or related field is required.
• Previous experience as a Fitness Instructor or Physical Fitness Assessor.
• Strong communication skills to motivate others.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fitness assessments across the Service area.
• Advise on physical fitness, nutrition, and wellbeing.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to motivate and influence

Flexibility

Ability to work independently

Teamwork

Education

BSc Hons in Physical Education / Sports & Exercise Science

Job description

Summary

Join Our Team as a Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service!

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, has the opportunity for a Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor to join our People Services team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. This role is available as a 12-month fixed term contract to cover the secondment of the substantive post holder. It is a full-time position (37 hours per week) that offers a competitive salary starting £42,839 (gross) per annum.

About Us

At Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, our mission is to create a safer world by preventing fire and rescue emergencies. We pride ourselves on our fantastic reputation, built on the dedication and expertise of our skilled workforce. By joining us, you will be a key player in enhancing the services we provide across beautiful Devon and Somerset.

Your Role

As a Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor you will be carrying out fitness assessments across the Service area, and provide advice surrounding physical fitness, nutrition and wellbeing to Service management and staff.

Find out more

What we are looking for in the successful candidate:

• Have a degree in (Bsc Hons) Physical Education / Sports & Exercise Science.
• Have practical working experience as a Fitness Instructor / Physical Fitness Assessor.
• Possess good communication skills in order to motivate and influence others.
• Have the ability to work flexibly.
• Be able to work effectively both on your own initiative and as a member of a small but busy team.

What We Offer

Joining Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service comes with a fulfilling career, where you make a tangible difference every day. But that’s not all! We value our employees and offer an extensive benefits package, including:

• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance
• A generous pension scheme for your future
• Ample annual leave to recharge and refresh
• Family leave policies that support your loved ones
• Access to physiotherapy services for your well-being
• Opportunities for professional development and progression
• Free gym access and personalised fitness coaching
• Support for eye care and wellness programs
• Exclusive Blue Light Membership discounts
• Affordable healthcare options through Benenden Health
• Engaging sports and social groups for community building
• Confidential counselling services and mental health support
• Access to the Firefighters Charity for additional support
• A cycle-to-work scheme to promote healthy commuting

How to apply

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career while contributing to the safety of our communities, we want to hear from you! Join us in our mission to create a safer world and become an integral part of our outstanding team.

Closing date: 23:59hrs Sunday 18 January 2026

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Health and Fitness Manager Neil Hargreaves, via email at [e-mail]. You can also contact the Fitness Advisor team via: [e-mail]

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Advisor please click ‘apply’ today, we would love to see your application.

The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.

Application requirements

When applying you will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following criteria:

• Provide evidence for when you have had to develop, implement, evaluate and maintain a physical fitness policy, including on-going management, advice and guidance on fitness for clients or staff.
• Describe how to conduct specific aerobic capacity assessments including gas analysis (VO2 max) and other performance related fitness tests.
• Detail how you would plan for the future provision of suitable fitness equipment across the Service to support the fitness policy, training and assessment and health and safety requirements.
• How would you monitor rehabilitation and/or remedial fitness programmes for staff returning from prolonged sickness or injury and during periods of restricted duties.
• When have you had to provide enhanced support for individuals with specific physical health issues including obesity management.
• When have you had to liaise with OH doctors, physiotherapists, orthopaedic / other specialists, to provide enhanced support for an individual’s fitness and wellbeing.

To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Physical Fitness and Wellbeing Officer Essential Criteria for Completion" for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application.

Please ensure that the evidence provided is of no more than 200 words for each criteria.

Evidence submitted in relation to the criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received.

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 applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.
• This role will require a Standard DBS check to be completed.
• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue 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 that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.