Operational Wholetime Watch Manager B - Operational Assurance and Protection Delivery

These opportunities are 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 these roles. Candidates are required to indicate which roles they would accept on the Jobtrain application form.

All applicants must demonstrate the following:

• Evidence of aligning to the Core Values and Code of Ethics and applying them in your role as a Supervisory Manager and across the Service.
• Operational Competence
• 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.
Permanent roles will only be offered to candidates who meet the following criteria:
• Be competent at Level 1 Incident Command.
• Provide evidence of having achieved two IFE level 3 certificate papers at Diploma level which must include;
o L3D6 Fire Operations and Incident Command (mandatory)
And either:
o L3D1 Fire Engineering Science or L3D2 Fire Safety.

Temporary positions may be offered to candidates who can provide evidence of having achieved the mandatory IFE level 3 certificate paper at Diploma level - L3D6 Fire Operations and Incident Command (mandatory).

Candidates who do not hold the appropriate IFE papers will not be able to enter the process.

Further information is outlined in the Service Procedure – Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) Examinations which can be found in the links at the end of the page.

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.

In return we offer;
• Flexible working hours.
• 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 (Boost).
• 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.

If you are an existing On-Call Employee with DFRS and are successful in gaining a Wholetime role, please note that the maximum number of hours On-Call cover you are able to provide is 60 hours per week. For further guidance, please refer to the Secondary Employment Policy and the Retained Flexible Contracts - Local Collective Agreement.

We are committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect this, and 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.

As part of the selection process, line managers are required to sign a line manger endorsement form. This is to ensure line managers are aware of the candidates' intentions and support their application.

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 Thursday 21st May 2026.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 21 May 2026.

Interviews will commence onwards from Monday 08 June 2026.

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.

For any more information please contact GM Lacey (for Operational Assurance) or GM Leverton (for Protection).

Candidate Information
DFRS 2025 Promotion Process Toolkit
Eligibility and the Selection Process for Progression
The Leadership Programme (LP) Procedure
Pension Implications of Temporary Promotion - Briefing Note for Candidates
Pensions and Tax – The Annual Allowance – Briefing Note for Candidates
IFE Service Procedure
Fitness Service Procedure
Fitness Policy
Secondary Employment Policy
Retained Flexible Contracts - Local Collective Agreement.
NFCC Leadership Framework (linked)
Portfolio Template

Information for Internal Candidates available on FireView
Promotion Process
IFE Toolkit
Leadership Programme