West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. As part of the County Council, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is focused on the delivery of a prevention, protection and response service operating to the highest performance standards to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and our staff.For more information about West Sussex County Council, please visit ourAbout the jobSalary: Crew Manager development £41,322 – competent £43,104Working Pattern: Average of 42 hours per week.Contract Length: PermanentLocation: based in Worthing with requirement to travel across West SussexPractical Assessments and interview: week commencing 22 September 2025You will play a vital role in helping make West Sussex a safer place to live, work and visit. Supporting the leadership of the Technical Rescue Unit you will enable the delivery of a specialist response service by attending a range of operational incidents including working at height, water, animal rescues, open area searches and body recovery (under the direction of the Police).You must be able and confident working from height, with animals and be a competent swimmer. You will also need great interpersonal skills, a confident and resourceful attitude to deal with highly challenging and occasionally emotionally or environmentally intense situations.This role is conditioned to the Flexible Rostering Duty System.WSFRS looks to recruit the very best applicants into vacancies and those who pass the process but are not immediately offered a role will be placed into a pool for 12 months for future vacancies that arise.Applications are welcome from substantive Crew Managers or competent Firefighters in the WSFRS Crew Manager Development Centre Ready to Progress Pool. Applicants must be currently employed by a Local Authority Fire & Rescue Service.The process will consist of:Stage 1
Application (see How To Apply below for further details)
Stage 2
Practical assessments, including:
Firefighters Swim test
Working at Height - applicants will be assessed to ascertain their suitability for working at height and rope rescue operations. Candidates will be supplied with suitable TRU rope harnesses and PPE.
Interview
Stage 3
Candidates notified of outcome
Any offers will be subject to:
Satisfactory Enhanced DBS and reference requests.
Internal applicants will need an in-date fitness test and medical.
External applicants will need to undertake and pass a West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service fitness test and medical.
Successful candidates will initially receive in service training and will be required to attend and pass the following external courses:
Rescue from height
Water rescue
Animal rescue
Skills, qualifications and experienceKey Skills: * Ability to lead in an inclusive and supportive manner to ensure effective teamwork in both operational and non-operational activities.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Effective time management skills.
Ability to plan, manage resources and problem solve.
Ability to use questioning and analytical skills in order to conduct inspections and investigations.
Qualifications:Essential at time of application
Substantive competent Firefighter who has demonstrated competence against the requirements of the NJC Firefighter role map.
Incident Command Level 1 (Initial)
Current full UK driving licence
Hold a valid LGV driving licence
IOSH Supervising Safely
Desirable (or if qualification not currently held, it must be completed within 18 months of appointment)
NEBOSH - Managing Safely
ILM L3 Diploma in Leadership and Management or equivalent qualification/training
Animal Rescue AR2/3
Swift Water Technician
Rope Rescue Technician
Experience:
Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the core values and the national fire and rescue service leadership framework.
A working knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Legislation and its application to the Fire and Rescue Service.
Experience of forming positive and strong relationships with partners.
Experience of applying relevant information to make appropriate decisions and create practical solutions.
Evidence of continued professional development.
How To ApplyTo be eligible to apply you must be a substantive Crew Manager or a competent Firefighter in the WSFRS Crew Manager Development Centre Ready to Progress Pool. Applicants must be currently employed by a Local Authority Fire & Rescue Service.External candidates who are not in the WSFRS Crew Manager Development Centre Ready to Progress PoolPlease follow the links below to upload your CV and complete the application explaining how you meet the key skills and experience listed in the job description. Please ensure your CV covers the qualifications for the role and any gaps in employment.Internal candidates and external candidates who are already in the WSFRS Crew Manager Development Centre Ready to Progress Pool.It is not necessary for you to submit your CV or complete the application as you have previously provided this information. Please email to express your interest in the role quoting reference number CPP01210. in the subject box.Further InformationThe reference number for this role is CPP01210If you have any queries about this process please contact us atSafeguarding StatementWSFRS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment. As such this, role requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.Fire & Rescue Service roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent held in the UK or overseas) including driving offences, cautions and/or reprimands. As part of the application process you will be required to list the dates and details of any sentences if applicable. The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying (please refer to the Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for more information).Legislation enables Fire & Rescue Services to be eligible for a Standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for employees of their Service, including volunteers. You are also required to inform us of any pending or incomplete investigations of a safeguarding nature that are ongoing, or that arise during this period of application and pre-employment. A table of rehabilitation periods for the most common sentences and disposals, and example scenarios can be found hereAvailable documents
