Senior Fire Safety Advisor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Worthing; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Lead Fire Safety Advisor to oversee complex fire risk assessments and provide specialist technical fire safety advice across clinical services and estates. The role guides other advisors and may deputise for the Fire Safety Manager.

Candidates with varied healthcare competency may join a development programme to achieve required NHS fire safety qualifications. Strong collaboration with clinical and facilities teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified in fire safety with evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Experience with high-risk and complex risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Ability to communicate technical information to diverse colleagues and influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Undertake and review complex fire risk assessments
• Provide specialist technical fire safety advice
• Support the management of significant findings and actions
• Contribute to fire safety policies and procedures
• Investigate fire-related incidents
• Support fire safety training development and delivery
• Provide professional guidance to Fire Safety Advisors
• Deputise for Fire Safety Manager when required
• Collaborate with clinical services and Estates & Facilities on fire safety management

Skills

NHS fire code knowledge

Building Regulations knowledge

Fire legislation knowledge

High-risk/complex fire risk assessment

Risk management techniques

Clear communication of complex topics

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Fire safety qualification level 4 / diploma

Recognised accredited fire risk assessor qualification

Adult teaching certificate or qualification

Evidence of CPD

Job description

This senior post sits in the Fire Safety Team at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a mental health and learning disability provider. The work centres on complex and high-risk fire risk assessments, specialist technical advice, incident investigation and fire safety training, across clinical services and estates teams. The role is the lead Fire Safety Advisor, guiding other advisors and sometimes deputising for the Fire Safety Manager. Candidates without every specialist healthcare competency may be considered if they commit to an agreed development programme.

What the job involves

• Undertake and review complex fire risk assessments
• Provide specialist technical fire safety advice
• Support the management of significant findings and actions
• Contribute to fire safety policies and procedures
• Investigate fire-related incidents
• Support the development and delivery of fire safety training
• Give professional support and guidance to the Trust's Fire Safety Advisors
• Deputise for the Fire Safety Manager when required
• Work with clinical services, Estates & Facilities, Capital Projects and corporate teams on fire safety management and continual improvement

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent, with additional training or experience to masters level or equivalent
• Fire safety qualification at level 4 or diploma, such as SFPO or fire safety modules from the Fire Service College or FPA, or equivalent relevant experience
• Recognised accredited fire risk assessor qualification
• Adult teaching certificate or qualification
• Evidence of CPD

Experience

• Substantial experience in a fire safety post, for example in the Fire Service, Armed Forces or NHS
• Experience delivering a range of fire safety training courses
• Experience of the Equality Act 2010

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS fire code (HTM) documents
• Knowledge of Building Regulations, including Approved Document B
• Knowledge of fire legislation (RRO) and enforcement protocols
• Ability to undertake high-risk and complex technical fire risk assessments
• Knowledge of risk management techniques
• Ability to communicate complex technical matters and influence colleagues at all levels

Nice to have

• Experience of healthcare fire safety
• Experience of fire risk assessment, Building Regulations and fire safety training