Information Governance Officer

Consortium; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi time scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an Information Governance Officer to join the Information Governance and Cyber Security team. The role focuses on handling FOI requests, advising on data protection, and maintaining governance standards across the service.

The post offers a permanent, full-time position with a clear progression path and opportunities to influence information governance practices within UK public sector settings. A flexible working approach is welcomed.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent or hold a specialist qualification in Data Protection or Freedom of Information.
• Significant level of experience in Information Governance is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Freedom of Information requests and Subject Access Requests within statutory timeframes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on data protection, data sharing and disclosure, FOI, and records management.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of information governance legislation and best practice.

Skills

Well organised

Methodical thinker

Time management

Attention to detail

Good written skills

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Data Protection / Freedom of Information qualification

Job description

Location: Dorset/Wilthire, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Highlighted points for this job

Information Governance Officer role in E grade

Salary range: £35,570 - £38,510 per annum

Full-time position, 37 hours per week

Position available at Service Headquarters or Dorchester Support Offices

Permanent appointment

Job title: Information Governance Officer

Grade: E

Salary: £35,570 - £38,510 per annum (rising by annual increments to £38,510) More information on salaries and progression can be found on our pay and policies page.

Hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week

Location: Service Headquarters at Five Rivers Salisbury OR Dorchester Support Offices depending on the successful postholders home location - There will be a requirement to attend your centre of duty location approximately 1 day a week for key activities as well as 1 day a month at Service Headquarters, Salisbury for team meetings. When you are not working from your centre of duty location there will be the flexibility to work from home / DWFRS Stations / Support Offices, and we will welcome a conversation with the successful candidate on what type of flexible working arrangement will work best for you.

Appointment Type:Permanent

Contact: For a chat about this post, please contact Hannah Buxton, Information Governance Manager on [e-mail].

Closing and Interview date: The closing date for applications is 29 November 2026 (midnight). We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. It is intended that interviews will take place on 8 December 2026. Should you be shortlisted for interview, further details regarding the interview format / location will be provided before the interview date.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, an organisation that is passionate about changing and saving lives. Our corporate staff are absolutely vital in helping to make our communities safer and healthier. Without them, we couldn’t do it.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits and strive to ensure that staff are valued and rewarded. For example, we offer a flexi time scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, a generous annual leave allowance, a variety of family friendly schemes including 39 weeks’ full pay during maternity leave (subject to qualifying criteria) and health & well-being services.

As an Information Governance Officer in our Information Governance and Cyber Security department you will:

• Respond to Freedom of Information requests and Subject Access Requests, ensuring compliance with statutory timeframes and the relevant legislation.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to staff and managers on all matters relating to data protection, including data sharing and disclosure, freedom of information, records management.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of information governance legislation and best practice.

What makes you our ideal Information Governance Officer?

• Educated to degree level or equivalent orholda specialist qualification in Data Protection or Freedom of Information,orbe able todemonstratea significant level of experience in Information Governance
• Well organised, methodical thinker, with good time management skills and ability to work under pressure
• Good written skills and attention to detail

For full details of the role and requirements please have a look at the job description and person specification.

Other Information:

• You must be able to fulfil the travel requirements of the role. Travel requirements are once a week at base location and once a month at Service Headquarters for team meetings.
• A Standard Disclosure & Barring Service Check (DBS) clearance will be undertaken on the successful individual prior to offer of employment.
• Any offer of employment will be subject to full pre-employment checks which include identity checks, right to work in the UK, medical, receipt of satisfactory references, verification of employment history and an explanation of any gaps in employment in the last 3 years.

You should ensure you include satisfactory evidence in your application to demonstrate all of the areas stated as being measured at the Application Stage on the Person Specification.

This will ensure you have the best opportunity of progressing to the next stage of the selection process.

We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. All applications will be treated on merit and staff involved in recruitment and selection processes undertake unconscious bias training.

We are committed to the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee an interview to applicants with a disclosed disability if they meet the minimum criteria for the post to which they are applying. Please tell us in confidence if this applies to you, or if there are any reasonable adjustments that would help you apply for this post. To find out more, please see our website .

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

If you hold international qualifications, you will be required to provide official evidence that shows how these compare to UK Qualifications. We will accept a Statement of Comparability from a UK organisation called ENIC which can be obtained via their website . Please note that UK ENIC charge for this service, so if you request a Statement of Compatibility, you will be required to pay for it as we are unable to reimburse you.

For further guidance on how to complete your application, please refer to the Job Application Guidance Notes. If you are experiencing difficulties completing your application or have a need to complete your application in an alternative format due to a disability, please contact HR Resourcing on 01722 691444 within plenty of time of the closing date of the position you are applying for.

Our recruitment, assessment and progression processes are based on our Code of Ethics that has been developed specifically for Fire and Rescue Services. When recruiting, we identify the most important behaviours for the role and these are used as part of the short-listing and selection process.

Attachments

Job Application Guidance Notes 2024 V8

Employment Benefits Infographic - March 25

Information Governance Officer - Job Description

Information Governance Officer - Person Specification