Job Description
Watch Manager – Internal & External Applicants
2026
Uckfield Fire Station – Day Crewed Duty System
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is committed to keeping our communities safer, and we need exceptional people to help us do that. Our Service is engaged in an ongoing programme of change aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening managerial empowerment, and enhancing our ability to support the communities we serve.
We are therefore seeking applicants for the position of Watch Manager at Uckfield Fire Station, this position requires the post holder to align with the services Day Crewed Duty system which includes an on-call element within specified response times, for which additional allowances are paid. We are accepting applications from Watch Managers seeking to transfer and Competent Crew Managers seeking promotion.
To be eligible to apply for the position, you will be able to demonstrate that you are either a temporary/substantive Watch Manager or a substantive and competent Crew Manager in line with the applicant guidance document and by uploading the evidence to your jobtrain application.
Personnel already in the current Watch Manager pool that wish to be considered for the Uckfield post should inform the HR department so their Station choices can be updated accordingly.
All applicants to the pool process must evidence that they are maintaining their skills, knowledge and understanding in accordance with the Firefighter Operational Competency Framework (FOCF). The responsibility to ensure this is up to date lies with the applicant and appeals following shortlisting will not be accepted where this has not been done.
It is your responsibility to ensure this information is up to date. If you are unable to evidence your competency due to exceptional circumstances, you will have the opportunity to explain the reasons for this during the application stage of this process. An appeal based on these areas, will not be accepted if these requests have not been complied with.
Please contact recruitment@esfrs.org should you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments to enable you to complete the application stage of this process.
For an informal discussion, please contact Station Manager Trevor Funnell - Trevor.Funnell@esfrs.org
Shortlisting: May 20th 2026
Interview Dates: From June 4th 2026
**Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services’ Organisational Change policy
OUR PURPOSE, OUR VALUES AND OUR PRIORITIES
Our Service Purpose is: Reducing Risk, Saving Lives – Together.
We do this through our Service Priorities:
1. Delivering our community offer
2. Delivering our enabling offer
3. Achieving financial sustainability
4. Sustaining a high performing workforce
5. Improving service performance
Our Service Values support our purpose and priorities by making sure the way we operate is guided by strong principles:
We willingly accept ACCOUNTABILITY, taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.
We have PRIDE in the service we provide, striving to meet the needs of our communities.
We demonstrate PERSEVERANCE in the face of challenges, staying committed and resilient in everything we do.
We RESPECT our colleagues and members of the community.
We embrace ADAPTABILITY, responding positively to change and continuously seek to improve the way we work.
We show INTEGRITY in our work, being open and honest.
We act with SELFLESSNESS, recognising we are here to protect and support our communities. We foster a positive and inclusive culture where teamwork, mutual respect and a shared commitment to service are at the heart of everything we do.
We show EMPATHY to the community and our colleagues, treating everyone with kindness, compassion and understanding.
Purpose Values and Priorities | East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
Diversity and Inclusion
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, (ESFRS), are committed to equality of opportunity for all job applicants and aims to select suitably qualified people based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training.
For more information please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement.
Safeguarding
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and suppliers to share this commitment.
ESFRS is a member of the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Boards.
You can read our safeguarding statement here.
DBS and Non-Police Personnel Vetting
All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks (minimum standard level) or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made. For more information about DBS and Vetting, please read our DBS and Vetting Policy.
Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
ESFRS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and therefore will consider ex-offenders for employment on their merits, (subject to the necessary DBS & Non-Police Personnel Vetting clearances required for the role). For more information please read our Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.
Notes
Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services' Organisational Change policy.