Information Governance Officer: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi time scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting an Information Governance Officer. The role involves handling Freedom of Information requests, advising on data protection and records management, and maintaining governance knowledge. It offers a permanent, full-time position with hybrid working arrangements.

Salary ranges from £35,570 to £38,510 per year with annual increments. Closing date: 29 November 2026; interviews planned for 8 December 2026.

Qualifications

• Education at degree level or equivalent, or demonstrable significant Information Governance experience.
• Specialist qualification in Data Protection or Freedom of Information is desirable.
• Ability to provide specialist advice and guidance on data protection, FOI, sharing and records management.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Freedom of Information requests and Subject Access Requests within statutory timeframes.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on data protection, including data sharing and disclosure.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of information governance legislation and best practices.
• Work with colleagues to ensure compliant information governance processes.
• Prepare for and attend key activities at duty locations; participate in team meetings.

Education

Degree or equivalent / Data Protection or FOI qualification

Job description

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. 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 or hold a specialist qualification in Data Protection or Freedom of Information, or be able to demonstrate a 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.