Assistant Chief Fire Officer conditions of service
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer post is conditioned to the National Joint Council for Principal Officers of Local Authorities’ Fire Brigades conditions of service (Gold Book), as adopted by the Fire Authority and any other local conditions as agreed between the Fire Authority and the post holder.
The appointment is permanent and full time.
Salary
Currently £108,654 per annum, which is subject to NJC for Brigade Managers of local Authority Fire and Rescue Services national pay reviews and any local reviews which may be undertaken at the discretion of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Hours
Your normal hours of work are those required to fulfil the requirements of this post and will require evening and weekend activities, which do not attract additional or enhanced payments. You will be required to work in accordance with the Principal Officer continuous duty system, whereby unless you are on annual leave or booked “off duty” for a specific period, subject to the required level of cover being maintained, you are required to be available for duty. On a rotational basis with other Principal Officers, you will be required to undertake the role of Duty Principal Officer which will require you to be immediately available for duty. On other occasions when you are not the Duty Principal Officer, not on annual leave or booked “off duty”, you will be required to remain contactable and have the ability to return to duty should this be required.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue takes work-life balance issues extremely seriously and you must ensure you are fit for duty. Whilst you are encouraged to work flexibly, you are not to work excessively long hours and any hours worked due to being on call and returning to duty, must form part of your normal working hours. You are required to limit your working hours so that they do not exceed 48 hours per week over an average of 17 weeks and to ensure necessary rest breaks are also taken.
The successful candidate will be required to devote their whole-time service to fulfilling the duties of the office of Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire and shall not take up any other additional appointment without the prior written consent of the CFO.
Service vehicle
A suitable vehicle will be provided for the effective performance of the role.
Relocation
In order to provide operational cover, there is a requirement for the jobholder to maintain a residential address within a geographic area determined by the CFO. A relocation allowance of up to £8,000 is available (subject to Service procedures).
Should any expenses for accommodation/ relocation/expenses or housing allowance be paid and the Assistant Chief Fire Officer chooses to leave Staffordshire Fire and Rescue the expenses or allowances would be repaid as follows:
- within 6 months from appointment 85%
- within 12 months from appointment 70%
- within 18 months from appointment 50%
- within 24 months from appointment 30%
- within 30 months from appointment 15%
- within 36 months from appointment 10%
Annual leave
Leave entitlement will be 37 days’ paid annual leave, in addition 11 bank holidays.
There is an entitlement to an additional 3 days’ Long Service Leave, granted from the leave year following the completion of 5 years’ continuous service. Leave includes off-duty days that fall within a period of leave.
Sickness absence
Entitlements during any period of absence due to sickness or injury are as set out in the NJC Scheme of Conditions of Service (‘Gold Book’, ‘Scheme of Conditions of Service’).
Pension
The appointment carries eligibility to join or remain in an applicable pension scheme.
Notice
The appointment is subject to six months written notice of termination on either side.
Political restrictions
Under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 the post is designated as politically restricted. The post holder will be expected to maintain political neutrality in relation to the work of the Authority.
Code of ethics and code of conduct
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer is expected to exemplify the highest standards of behaviour and adhere to: The Code of Ethics; and internal procedures for complaints brought against them.
Uniform and equipment
All articles of uniform and equipment required for the performance of the role are provided for by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Such articles must be returned to the service when leaving.
Performance and development review
The appointment will include a regular performance/development appraisal by the CFO. A programme of professional development for the Assistant Chief Fire Officer will be agreed by the CFO, informed by the outcomes of development appraisal and in light of the Fire Service priorities.
Candidate vetting
Applicants will be subject to vetting and will require clearance at National Security Check level. Candidates will be vetted prior to appointment. Appointment to the role will be conditional on successfully achieving clearance. If you don’t already have clearance at National Security Check level you will be subject to a DBS check.
Medical clearance
The appointment is subject to satisfactory medical clearance and will be conditional on successful fitness test at a standard of 42.3ml.kg-1. min-1 VO2 max.
Driving assessment
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer will be required to complete an officer response course within a reasonable period of their commencement.