Assistant Chief Fire Officer
| Posting date: | 29 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 October 2025 |
| Location: | Shrewsbury, Shropshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Salary up to £113,621.92 pa subject to operational competence
(+ benefits & relocation package)
We are excited to announce an opportunity for an inspiring inclusive leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO). Governed by Fire Authority members, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service employs over 550 dedicated staff operating across 23 Fire Stations covering over 1,346 square miles, serving a diverse population of over 490,000 people. The county of Shropshire has a varied risk profile covering an area of 1,346 square miles, with the busy towns of Shrewsbury and Telford at its center. This sparsity, combined with the heritage sites such as the Ironbridge Gorge, Wroxeter Roman City and Wenlock Edge and the challenges of two growing vibrant towns creates a challenging and interesting risk profile. This requires both established and innovative ways of working. We are seeking a strategic leader, who will encourage fresh thinking, create collaborative opportunities and champion inclusivity in all aspects of our work.
In 2025, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service launched our 2025-2028 Community Risk Management plan. The successful candidate will be critical in shaping and delivering our plan, ensuring it reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible service to Shropshire through defined strategic priorities.
We are seeking applications from high-performing, qualified, competent Senior Managers who can demonstrate experience of operating effectively at Strategic Manager level, have a successful track record of achievement and the ability to provide strategic leadership. Ideal candidates will be able to provide evidence of a range of skills and experiences that are key to the core responsibilities in both strategic leadership of functions and operational command.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer post forms part of the Brigade Manager Rota, and as such is required to provide executive, operational, and Gold Command cover. Ideally the successful candidate will have previous experience within the Fire and Rescue sector. Competence in commanding significant operational incidents is also required, and you must have relevant accreditation (e.g., MAGIC and IC L3 or 4).
However, we welcome applications from individuals who are currently operating outside the Fire and Rescue Service sector as well as those currently conditioned to the green, grey and gold book NJC conditions of service, who feel that they possess the necessary skills to excel in this role. Candidates who are not operationally competent will be provided with transitional operational training in order to meet national competency requirements. The salary will reflect the development requirements.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is proud of its strong community links and high on-call firefighter availability, showcasing our staff’s daily commitment. Our firefighters are always ready to respond to a wide range of incidents and engage with the community at every opportunity. Our staff are our greatest asset, together with the Executive Leadership Team and the Service Management Team, you will play a key role in advancing our service, enhancing our organisational culture, and embedding positive change. Listening to and valuing our staff is at the core of our leadership approach.
Benefits to expect are support with a relocation package, pension scheme, car scheme, competitive holiday entitlement, lifestyle benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
If you would like the opportunity to discuss the role requirements informally, please contact Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman 01743 260200.
The closing date for completed CV and supporting statement (2 sides of A4 maximum) outlining how you meet the essential requirements of the role is 20 October 2025.
First round technical interviews will take place week beginning 27 October 2025 of which further shortlisting will take place.
Assessments are scheduled to take place prior to panel interviews week commencing
17 November 2025.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, aiming to recruit a workforce that reflects our diverse communities. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We ensure fair and consistent treatment for all applicants, including reasonable adjustments for disabilities.
(+ benefits & relocation package)
We are excited to announce an opportunity for an inspiring inclusive leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO). Governed by Fire Authority members, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service employs over 550 dedicated staff operating across 23 Fire Stations covering over 1,346 square miles, serving a diverse population of over 490,000 people. The county of Shropshire has a varied risk profile covering an area of 1,346 square miles, with the busy towns of Shrewsbury and Telford at its center. This sparsity, combined with the heritage sites such as the Ironbridge Gorge, Wroxeter Roman City and Wenlock Edge and the challenges of two growing vibrant towns creates a challenging and interesting risk profile. This requires both established and innovative ways of working. We are seeking a strategic leader, who will encourage fresh thinking, create collaborative opportunities and champion inclusivity in all aspects of our work.
In 2025, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service launched our 2025-2028 Community Risk Management plan. The successful candidate will be critical in shaping and delivering our plan, ensuring it reflects our commitment to delivering the best possible service to Shropshire through defined strategic priorities.
We are seeking applications from high-performing, qualified, competent Senior Managers who can demonstrate experience of operating effectively at Strategic Manager level, have a successful track record of achievement and the ability to provide strategic leadership. Ideal candidates will be able to provide evidence of a range of skills and experiences that are key to the core responsibilities in both strategic leadership of functions and operational command.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer post forms part of the Brigade Manager Rota, and as such is required to provide executive, operational, and Gold Command cover. Ideally the successful candidate will have previous experience within the Fire and Rescue sector. Competence in commanding significant operational incidents is also required, and you must have relevant accreditation (e.g., MAGIC and IC L3 or 4).
However, we welcome applications from individuals who are currently operating outside the Fire and Rescue Service sector as well as those currently conditioned to the green, grey and gold book NJC conditions of service, who feel that they possess the necessary skills to excel in this role. Candidates who are not operationally competent will be provided with transitional operational training in order to meet national competency requirements. The salary will reflect the development requirements.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is proud of its strong community links and high on-call firefighter availability, showcasing our staff’s daily commitment. Our firefighters are always ready to respond to a wide range of incidents and engage with the community at every opportunity. Our staff are our greatest asset, together with the Executive Leadership Team and the Service Management Team, you will play a key role in advancing our service, enhancing our organisational culture, and embedding positive change. Listening to and valuing our staff is at the core of our leadership approach.
Benefits to expect are support with a relocation package, pension scheme, car scheme, competitive holiday entitlement, lifestyle benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
If you would like the opportunity to discuss the role requirements informally, please contact Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman 01743 260200.
The closing date for completed CV and supporting statement (2 sides of A4 maximum) outlining how you meet the essential requirements of the role is 20 October 2025.
First round technical interviews will take place week beginning 27 October 2025 of which further shortlisting will take place.
Assessments are scheduled to take place prior to panel interviews week commencing
17 November 2025.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, aiming to recruit a workforce that reflects our diverse communities. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We ensure fair and consistent treatment for all applicants, including reasonable adjustments for disabilities.