Job title: Fire Engineer
Salary: PO4 £44,711 - £47,754
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Hib
As a Fire Engineer you’ll thrive on ensuring that all Leeds City Council non-housing are compliant with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and are as safe as possible for those who occupy them.
It’s not about just undertaking fire risk assessments its ensuring that all fire strategies for leeds city council are as good as they can be.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Fire Engineer, you will bring to the role:
- A comprehensive knowledge of fire legislation and supporting documents
- The ability to liase with internal and external stakeholders e.g. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
- The ability to investigate any fire incidents and ensure correct preventative actions are taken to prevent reoccurrence
- Lead on the identification of fire safety development needs and to undertake ad-hoc training interventions around fire safety.
- The ability to act as the lead, competent fire safety professional for the Council
About the role
As our next Fire Engineer, you’ll have the ability to really put a stamp on Leeds City Councils fire safety in the new corporate health, safety and wellbeing fire team, this team will undertake all fire risk assessments for non-housing corporate buildings ensuring compliance with best practice and legislation.
The role is integral to our corporate health, safety and wellbeing team and ensuring leeds city council is always at the forefront of fire safety.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Lisa Colver lisa.colver@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Purpose of the job: To provide the lead on fire safety advice throughout the Council. Acting as a Business Partner for fire safety matters, will work closely with directorate management/leadership teams, chief officers, education services and, service managers to identify issues and provide appropriate fire safety solutions through strategic planning. The role fulfils that of one of the organisation’s ‘competent people’, pursuant to the statutory requirement to have access to professional and technical fire safety advice.
Responsibilities:
- Help improve and ensure compliance with fire safety legislation and good practice, through the provision of effective guidance, advice, monitoring, audit, and review.
- Build a rapport and establish credibility with service managers and other stakeholders across the council on all fire safety matters.
- Establish and maintain good working relations / rapport with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, in a partnership approach.
- Work in collaboration and co-operation with
- Manage the delivery of fire safety service, as part of the Health and Safety Team, supporting service managers and other stakeholders - anticipating, influencing and ultimately delivering against defined business needs.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to managers on all fire safety and related matters, identifying risks and opportunities and working to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to issues raised.
- Support the Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing to deliver health and safety services across the council;
- Champion / lead on organisation-wide fire safety (and related) projects and initiatives
- Act as the lead, competent fire safety professional for the Council,
- Act as a business partner on fire safety matters, working closely with senior managers to identify issues and provide appropriate solutions through effective planning.
- Work with Corporate Property Management to help ensure the authority’s compliance with all Fire Safety Legislation and guidelines.
- Inspect and assess premises, as necessary, to help managers ensure premises comply with current Fire Safety Legislation.
- Identify appropriate training for staff responsible for completing fire safety risk assessments in all authority premises.
- Liaise pro-actively with The Fire Service , as required, on all the above matters.
- Provide advice on emergency evacuation procedures.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of the organisation’s fire safety management system, including proactive and reactive monitoring.
- Lead on the identification of fire safety development needs and to undertake ad-hoc training interventions around fire safety.
- Effectively communicate and present information on a range of Fire Safety issues and project areas to a range of audiences.
- Lead on the development of appropriate and effective management of fire safety, taking into account best practice, legislation and specific business needs.
- Provide performance information to senior managers and the Head of Health and Safety to enable an assessment as to whether fire safety is being managed effectively in line with legal requirements, council standards and good practice. This will be done through developing a robust active and re-active monitoring framework.
- Provide professional and technical support to Health and Safety Managers and Advisers on fire safety matters.
- Able to manage and support staff to feel motivated and engaged in the values, vision and direction of the service, promoting the values of the Council through appropriate behaviour and professionalism.
- Able to support staff to feel motivated and engaged in the values, vision and direction of the service, promoting the values of the Council through appropriate behaviour and professionalism.
- Provide professional, flexible, timely and high-quality fire safety advice and support to service managers and staff across the council.
- Support investigation of accidents and incidents, specifically in relation to fire safety, across the Council, ensuring that improvements to prevent a recurrence are identified and shared with service managers.
- Meet performance objectives and standards as agreed with the Head of Health and Safety.
- Ensure consistent implementation and interpretation of the Fire Safety Performance Standard across the council, with the ability to think creatively and to share approaches to accrue wider benefit.
- Build the competency and confidence in terms of the provision of fire safety services.
- Develop excellent relationships with key stakeholders, in particular managers at all levels, Trade Unions and the Business Support Centre, including liaising with HM Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive, West Yorkshire Fire Service and other enforcement bodies as necessary.
- Input into the Health and Safety Management Team to establish effective networks with peer groups across the Council to ensure that developments in relevant functional areas are shared, and best practice and learning is disseminated.
- Input into both corporate and local health and safety committees and local Trade Union consultation and negotiation, as relates to fire safety.
- Take a corporate lead on fire safety projects.
- Support Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing in developing and maintaining a robust health and safety management system across the council and taking a directorate lead on the proactive and reactive monitoring in relation to fire safety matters.
- Support Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing in developing the Council’s Health and Safety Strategy and Health and Safety Plan.
- Keep abreast of legislation, case law and developments in fire safety and professional practice and communicate developments and relevant information within the Directorate as required.
- Co-ordinate and/or contribute to council wide change initiatives and projects, especially as it relates to the fire safety agenda.
- Carry out active and reactive monitoring to assess compliance with corporate and local procedures.
- Responsible for ensuring and promoting the health, safety and well-being of team members.
- Responsible for promoting equality and diversity through this role and that as a line manager.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications Fire safety qualification, such as NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate or IFE course (level 4) is essential. Bachelor's degree in Fire Engineering or related field is desirable
Essential requirements the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to contribute towards Trade Union, key partner or stakeholder discussions and negotiations on health and safety issues
- Able to plan and organise own workload in a busy environment
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people including internal and external partners and customers
- Able to work effectively as part of a team and to demonstrate organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team’s work to meet conflicting deadlines
- Able to accurately enter and retrieve data and information from digital and manual systems producing basic reports and data in a timely and accurate manner.
- Able to work within and interpret financial policies and procedures and develop timely and cost-effective solutions to operational problems ensuring value for money
- Able to analyse and interpret varied and complex information or situations and produce appropriate fire safety solutions or strategies to difficult problems
- Able to work using discretion and initiative and deal with problems confidently
- Able to work flexibly and demonstrate commitment to developing a ‘One HR’ approach across the Council
- Able to engage managers and employees in considering fire safety issues making change happen using change management skills and tools
- Knowledge of landlord’s responsibilities in relation to repairs & maintenance
- Up to date knowledge of social housing and issues affecting the sector
- Strong knowledge safe construction Health & Safety procedures
- Experience of interpreting and applying fire safety legislation and / or best practice in a large, complex organisation.
- Experience of developing and implementing health and safety management systems – including producing performance standards and guidance – specifically as it relates to fire safety.
- Experience of reactive and pro-active management / monitoring in a large, complex organisation – including serious accident/incident investigations.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities toi ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Strong analytical skills, concentration and problem solving.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate with clients and project teams
- Detail-oriented approach with a focus on quality and safety standards
- Experience of working within fire safety
