Area Support Technician
| Posting date: | 19 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,540 to £32,061 per year |
| Additional salary information: | (+20% standby allowance) per annum. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 March 2026 |
| Location: | Devon, South West England |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | PS00837 |
Summary
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has a fantastic opportunity available for an Area Support Technician to join our Plymouth Response Group. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis working 37 hours per week (plus standby cover on a 2-week rota basis – subject to review). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £29540 - £32061 (+20% standby allowance) per annum.
Key responsibilities as our Area Support Technician will include:
Providing out of hours cover on a two-week rota pattern outside of the 37 core working hours to ensure minimum cover is always maintained across the service (for which you receive the payment of a standby allowance in addition to your salary)
Providing logistical, welfare, equipment, and decontamination support to our response groups during incidents including assisting repatriation of equipment to a station after an event
Using Service owned cars and vans to perform various activities including driving LGV fire appliances as and when required to deliver all stores, equipment, mail, and laundry.
Liaising effectively with other ASTs and provide additional support to neighbouring response groups and corporate services at times of leave, sickness, and training to ensure cover is maintained.
Liaising with Fire Control, BA Technicians for the collection of BA Equipment
Undertaking training for and performing basic checks and ancillary repair of BA related equipment
Assisting with the transportation of vehicles, trailers, operational and training equipment within the response groups, liaising with other departments as necessary
Undertaking postal requirements to include incoming deliveries; collection and dispatch of outgoing deliveries to meet deadlines.
Assisting in the setting up and clearing of Command exercise scenarios
Liaising with Community Fire Safety to ensure campaigns are supported by the delivery of CFS trailers and chip pan units etc.
Facilitating planned PPE maintenance and testing as required by Service Delivery.
Liaising with DSFRS personnel and outside agencies through various forms of communication to provide a cohesive and efficient service.
Undertaking cleaning, maintenance, and standard tests of Service Vehicles
Undertaking training for and perform inspection and repair of fire helmets.
What we offer:
Joining Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service comes with a fulfilling career, where you make a tangible difference every day. But that’s not all! We value our employees and offer an extensive benefits package, including:
Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance
A generous pension scheme for your future
Ample annual leave to recharge and refresh
Family leave policies that support your loved ones
Access to physiotherapy services for your well-being
Opportunities for professional development and progression.
Free gym access and personalised fitness coaching.
Support for eye care and wellness programs
Exclusive Blue Light Membership discounts
Affordable healthcare options through Benenden Health
Engaging sports and social groups for community building
Confidential counselling services and mental health support
A cycle-to-work scheme to promote healthy commuting.
Closing Date: 2359hr Thursday 5 March 2026
For more information, or an informal discussion about the role please contact Simon Duke – Operational Resourcing Manager on 07974 259313.
If you feel have the skills and experience to become our Area Support Technician please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!
The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification.
We are not able to shortlist for interview from a CV so please evidence the following criteria in full, demonstrating how you meet each criteria.
Good planning and organisational skills
Good Communication skills both in verbal and written forma
Proven ability to undertake manual handling duties
The ability to work within set timescales and deliver against set targets
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a busy team
Valid current full driving licence (car, LGV, trailer towing and minibus)
To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document “Area Support Technician – Plymouth – Essential Criteria for Application” for you to download and complete with your evidence of the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application form. Please note that there is a maximum word limit of 2000 words (excluding titles) applied to your evidence document.
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used for shortlisting applications received.
Key responsibilities as our Area Support Technician will include:
Providing out of hours cover on a two-week rota pattern outside of the 37 core working hours to ensure minimum cover is always maintained across the service (for which you receive the payment of a standby allowance in addition to your salary)
Providing logistical, welfare, equipment, and decontamination support to our response groups during incidents including assisting repatriation of equipment to a station after an event
Using Service owned cars and vans to perform various activities including driving LGV fire appliances as and when required to deliver all stores, equipment, mail, and laundry.
Liaising effectively with other ASTs and provide additional support to neighbouring response groups and corporate services at times of leave, sickness, and training to ensure cover is maintained.
Liaising with Fire Control, BA Technicians for the collection of BA Equipment
Undertaking training for and performing basic checks and ancillary repair of BA related equipment
Assisting with the transportation of vehicles, trailers, operational and training equipment within the response groups, liaising with other departments as necessary
Undertaking postal requirements to include incoming deliveries; collection and dispatch of outgoing deliveries to meet deadlines.
Assisting in the setting up and clearing of Command exercise scenarios
Liaising with Community Fire Safety to ensure campaigns are supported by the delivery of CFS trailers and chip pan units etc.
Facilitating planned PPE maintenance and testing as required by Service Delivery.
Liaising with DSFRS personnel and outside agencies through various forms of communication to provide a cohesive and efficient service.
Undertaking cleaning, maintenance, and standard tests of Service Vehicles
Undertaking training for and perform inspection and repair of fire helmets.
What we offer:
Joining Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service comes with a fulfilling career, where you make a tangible difference every day. But that’s not all! We value our employees and offer an extensive benefits package, including:
Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance
A generous pension scheme for your future
Ample annual leave to recharge and refresh
Family leave policies that support your loved ones
Access to physiotherapy services for your well-being
Opportunities for professional development and progression.
Free gym access and personalised fitness coaching.
Support for eye care and wellness programs
Exclusive Blue Light Membership discounts
Affordable healthcare options through Benenden Health
Engaging sports and social groups for community building
Confidential counselling services and mental health support
A cycle-to-work scheme to promote healthy commuting.
Closing Date: 2359hr Thursday 5 March 2026
For more information, or an informal discussion about the role please contact Simon Duke – Operational Resourcing Manager on 07974 259313.
If you feel have the skills and experience to become our Area Support Technician please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!
The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document evidencing how you meet the following essential criteria from the Job Description and Person Specification.
We are not able to shortlist for interview from a CV so please evidence the following criteria in full, demonstrating how you meet each criteria.
Good planning and organisational skills
Good Communication skills both in verbal and written forma
Proven ability to undertake manual handling duties
The ability to work within set timescales and deliver against set targets
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a busy team
Valid current full driving licence (car, LGV, trailer towing and minibus)
To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document “Area Support Technician – Plymouth – Essential Criteria for Application” for you to download and complete with your evidence of the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application form. Please note that there is a maximum word limit of 2000 words (excluding titles) applied to your evidence document.
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used for shortlisting applications received.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.