Professional Standards Officer

Suffolk Jobs Direct; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Professional Standards Officer to support the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service by upholding high standards of conduct, managing employee relations, and conducting investigations. The role requires significant experience in handling complex cases and a thorough understanding of UK employment law. The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining public trust and confidence while promoting best practices within the organization.

Benefits

29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Performance-related annual pay progression

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing a complex and varied caseload, including discipline, grievance, bullying, and harassment.
• Thorough understanding of UK employment law and the ACAS code of disciplinary and grievance practice.
• Exceptional attention to detail and investigative/analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into allegations of discipline, grievance, bullying and harassment.
• Provide advice on professional conduct issues and ensure fair treatment.
• Deliver training to increase awareness of policy expectations around behavior standards.

Skills

Managing a complex case load

Understanding UK employment law

Investigation skills

Written and verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Data protection knowledge

Experience in a unionised environment

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX
• Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract:Permanent
  
  
  

Join our team as a Professional Standards Officer!

Are you passionate about maintaining high standards of conduct and integrity? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your expertise in professional standards can make a real difference? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

About Us

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week emergency response service to deal with fires, road traffic collisions and a wide range of emergencies. We are committed to supporting our communities in making Suffolk a place where people lead safe and fulfilling lives. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we believe in empowering our employees to deliver meaningful and impactful work that supports us to improve the lives of Suffolk residents. We offer a fantastic working environment, diverse and active staff networks, great flexible working options, and many benefits.

Your Role And Responsibilities

As a Professional Standards Officer, you will play a key role in supporting Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in creating a working environment where staff demonstrate the Fire Service Core Code of Ethics in the day-to-day delivery of their roles. You will be responsible for promoting awareness of values and expected standards of behaviours, as well as managing an employee relations caseload. You’ll provide advice and guidance on professional conduct issues to ensure fair treatment of employees and that policies and processes are followed correctly. Your work will be important in helping us deliver the best possible service and maintaining public trust and confidence.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead investigations in relation to allegations of discipline, grievance, bullying and harassment
• Provide advice and guidance on professional conduct issues, policies, and processes
• Deliver training to increase awareness and understanding of relevant policies, and expectations around behaviour standards
• Maintain high-quality records and provide detailed reports on cases and professional standards matters
• Identify trends and areas of risk and make recommendations for policy and practice improvements.
  
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• Significant experience managing a complex and varied caseload, including discipline, grievance, capability, bullying, and harassment.
• Thorough understanding of UK employment law and the ACAS code of disciplinary and grievance practice.
• Exceptional attention to detail and investigative/analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to manage a high workload and deal with sensitive matters.
• Familiarity with data protection laws and freedom of information requirements.
• Experience working in a unionised environment and collaborating with Trade Unions.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Experience in a professional standards environment within a uniformed or blue-light service would be useful, but is not essential.
  
  
  

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) .

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 underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report .

For more information

Please contact Daisy Rea for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 260063 or emailing [e-mail] .

How To Apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) .

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

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement describingwhy you believe you are the best person for the position, what skills and experience can you bring to the team and how these relate to the role (no more than 500 words). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

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

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

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

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 calling03456 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, 11 August 2025.

Interview date: 18 August 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.

About Us

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.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• 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
  
  
  

Plus lots more!

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) .