Operational Wholetime Watch Manager

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue

Waingroves

On-site

GBP 45,000 - 55,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Agile working (60% office based)

Family friendly policies

Free on-site parking

Health & wellbeing services

Blue Light Card eligibility

Employee support networks

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Ongoing training and development

Pension Scheme eligibility

Job summary

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is seeking a Watch Manager in Operational Assurance to lead and shape service delivery from Headquarters in Ripley.

This permanent role operates a Day Duty System, 42 hours per week on a 9-day fortnight, with leadership development through the Leadership Programme and DBS disclosure for the successful candidate.

Qualifications

Evidence of aligning to the Code of Ethics and applying them in your role as a Supervisory Manager and across the Service.
Operational Competence
Operational Effectiveness
Personal Impact
Outstanding Leadership
Service Delivery
Organisational Effectiveness
Provide examples of your successful performance when working at Supervisory Manager level.
Evidence of personal development at Supervisory Manager level.
Provide examples of successfully managing people at Supervisory Manager level.
Competency in current role which includes completion of all development/training and currency in all core skills.

Responsibilities

Be competent at Level 1 Incident Command.

Skills

Code of Ethics alignment

Operational Competence

Operational Effectiveness

Personal Impact

Outstanding Leadership

Service Delivery

Organisational Effectiveness

People management

Incident Command Level 1

Job description

Position: Watch Manager Operational Assurance
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £50,034 per annum
Location: Headquarters
Hours: Day Duty System (42 hours per week worked on a 9-day fortnight basis)
Department: 1 x vacancy in Operational Assurance
Reports to: Station Manager Operational Assurance
Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 29 September 2026

About Us:

At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we're more than an emergency service- we're a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it's responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.

We're proud to be one of the country's top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated 'Good' in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people. We continue to strive to be an outstanding Service and we know we have more to do.

About the Role:

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is a high achieving, dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. We are looking for a positive, talented and inspirational individual who will help shape and lead the organisation in the years to come, ensuring that the level of service received by the people of Derbyshire continues to be of the highest standard.

This opportunity is open to anyone who is a current local authority substantive competent Wholetime or On-Call Crew Manager looking for promotion, or existing Watch Managers looking to transfer.

This process is specific to the posts advertised. Successful candidates will therefore only be offered this role. Applications for flexible working will be considered, we are striving to make this post as accessible as possible, and encourage anyone considering applying to approach a member of the Operational Assurance and Response Policy department to discuss the role in more detail.

Evidence of aligning to the Code of Ethics and applying them in your role as a Supervisory Manager and across the Service.
Operational Competence
Operational Effectiveness
Personal Impact
Outstanding Leadership
Service Delivery
Organisational Effectiveness
Provide examples of your successful performance when working at Supervisory Manager level.
Evidence of personal development at Supervisory Manager level.
Provide examples of successfully managing people at Supervisory Manager level.
Competency in current role which includes completion of all development/training and currency in all core skills.

Be competent at Level 1 Incident Command.

DFRS require successful candidates to complete the Leadership Programme. Further information is outlined in the Service Procedure – The Leadership Programme which can be found in the links at the end of the page.

There will be a requirement for some travel for which a pool car will be provided.

Flexible working hours.
Agile working (60% office based).
Family friendly policies.
Free, secure on-site car parking
Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
Employee discount scheme and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
Employee support networks.
Enhanced Maternity Pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
Ongoing training and development opportunities.
Eligibility to join the Firefighters' Pension Scheme

Please note guidance on pension implications can be found below.

Derbyshire 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 are expected to share this commitment.

The Operational Assurance role is based at Headquarters, Ripley. As such, Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

Due to the sensitive nature of the duties that the postholder will be expected to undertake, an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be requested for the successful applicant.

Operational employees are responsible for their own fitness, health and wellbeing. Fitness will need to be maintained for the role to be undertaken safely. Specifically, the fitness requirements must be met as detailed in the DFRS Fitness Policy.

Promotion Process

Guidance and information on the selection process can be found within the DFRS Promotions Page. This includes a promotions toolkit and FAQs. Further guidance can be found here.

Line Manager Endorsement form

Portfolio

All candidates must complete a Portfolio as part of the application process. Please see below Portfolio template for further information. This must be submitted to Service_Centre@derbys-fire.gov.uk by midnight on 29 September 2026.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 29 September 2026.

Interviews will be scheduled onwards from Monday 12 October 2026.

Candidate Information