Crew Manager (Control)
| Posting date: | 11 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,256 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 March 2026 |
| Location: | Ipswich, IP1 5PB |
| Company: | Suffolk County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 22631 |
Summary
- Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Onsite
- Salary: Crew Manager (Control) in accordance with NJC Pay Scales
- Hours: 42 hours per week including weekends and bank holidays. Shift pattern 2 days (08:00 – 18:00), 2 nights (18:00 – 08:00) followed by 4 rest days.
- Contract: Permanent
We are looking for an experienced fire control room professional to join Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service as Crew Manager (Control). This opportunity is open to grey book applicants with previous fire control experience. In this role, you’ll support call handling, mobilisation, and incident oversight, helping to lead and guide the control room team. Reimagine the possibilities.
About the role
Based in our control room in Ipswich, you will play a vital role at the heart of Suffolk’s emergency response.
This role supports our state-of-the-art control room in Ipswich, which operates 24/7, 365 days a year. The control room is the critical link between the public and our frontline firefighters, ensuring that emergency calls are handled swiftly and resources are mobilised effectively.
This is an exciting opportunity to either take the next step in your management career or transfer over to Suffolk. If you’re passionate about saving lives, driven by improvement, and ready to make a real and lasting impact, this is your chance to step forward and leave a positive legacy.
Prior experience in a fire control environment is required for this role.
Your role and responsibilities
As Crew Manager (Control), you will play an instrumental role in leading and co-ordinating the core function of call handling, mobilisation and incident oversight. Working closely with the Watch Manager, your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the management of the team through supervision and guidance.
- Maintaining compliance with policies, procedures and service standards.
- Mentoring and assessing control operators on performance.
- Managing information and accurate record-keeping.
- Supervise emergency calls, mobilisation of resources and multi-agency liaison.
- Deputising as Watch Manager when required.
- Audit and evaluate watch and control functions to ensure consistent adherence to standards.
- Contribute to the management of Fire Control in the absence of the Station Manager.
Our control room employees will follow a Control Duty system. The shift pattern is based on an average of 42 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays, based on 2 days (8am – 6pm), 2 nights (6pm– 8am) followed by 4 rest days.
You will need
- To have substantive competency as a Firefighter (Control) or higher role. (Experience from within last 3 years would be desirable.)
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
- Strong management skills.
- The confidence to lead others.
- Proven resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- An aptitude for decision-making in challenging situations.
- To be able to work collaboratively to manage multi-agency relationships.
- Excellent digital competence.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Group Manager, Darren Reeve, or Station Manager, Georgina Trownson, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling Darren 07766 781266 / Georgina 07825011522 or emailing Darren.reeve@suffolk.gov.uk / Georgina.Trownson@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1: Read the advert and Job and Person Profile.
Step 2: Complete the Supporting Statement template indicating how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role you are applying for (refer to the ‘Person Profile’ section of the relevant JPP).
Step 3: Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application and upload your supporting statement on the final page.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 23 March 2026
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 40 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata)
membership of a competitive Firefighters' Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
eligibility for a Blue Light card
a lifetime of support from the Fire Firefighters Charity for you and your loved ones
family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
an annual cost-of-living pay increase
access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
free access to virtual platforms offering guided online fitness support
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
- Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Onsite
- Salary: Crew Manager (Control) in accordance with NJC Pay Scales
- Hours: 42 hours per week including weekends and bank holidays. Shift pattern 2 days (08:00 – 18:00), 2 nights (18:00 – 08:00) followed by 4 rest days.
- Contract: Permanent
We are looking for an experienced fire control room professional to join Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service as Crew Manager (Control). This opportunity is open to grey book applicants with previous fire control experience. In this role, you’ll support call handling, mobilisation, and incident oversight, helping to lead and guide the control room team. Reimagine the possibilities.
About the role
Based in our control room in Ipswich, you will play a vital role at the heart of Suffolk’s emergency response.
This role supports our state-of-the-art control room in Ipswich, which operates 24/7, 365 days a year. The control room is the critical link between the public and our frontline firefighters, ensuring that emergency calls are handled swiftly and resources are mobilised effectively.
This is an exciting opportunity to either take the next step in your management career or transfer over to Suffolk. If you’re passionate about saving lives, driven by improvement, and ready to make a real and lasting impact, this is your chance to step forward and leave a positive legacy.
Prior experience in a fire control environment is required for this role.
Your role and responsibilities
As Crew Manager (Control), you will play an instrumental role in leading and co-ordinating the core function of call handling, mobilisation and incident oversight. Working closely with the Watch Manager, your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the management of the team through supervision and guidance.
- Maintaining compliance with policies, procedures and service standards.
- Mentoring and assessing control operators on performance.
- Managing information and accurate record-keeping.
- Supervise emergency calls, mobilisation of resources and multi-agency liaison.
- Deputising as Watch Manager when required.
- Audit and evaluate watch and control functions to ensure consistent adherence to standards.
- Contribute to the management of Fire Control in the absence of the Station Manager.
Our control room employees will follow a Control Duty system. The shift pattern is based on an average of 42 hours per week, including weekends and bank holidays, based on 2 days (8am – 6pm), 2 nights (6pm– 8am) followed by 4 rest days.
You will need
- To have substantive competency as a Firefighter (Control) or higher role. (Experience from within last 3 years would be desirable.)
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
- Strong management skills.
- The confidence to lead others.
- Proven resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- An aptitude for decision-making in challenging situations.
- To be able to work collaboratively to manage multi-agency relationships.
- Excellent digital competence.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Group Manager, Darren Reeve, or Station Manager, Georgina Trownson, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling Darren 07766 781266 / Georgina 07825011522 or emailing Darren.reeve@suffolk.gov.uk / Georgina.Trownson@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1: Read the advert and Job and Person Profile.
Step 2: Complete the Supporting Statement template indicating how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role you are applying for (refer to the ‘Person Profile’ section of the relevant JPP).
Step 3: Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application and upload your supporting statement on the final page.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 23 March 2026
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 40 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata)
membership of a competitive Firefighters' Pension scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
eligibility for a Blue Light card
a lifetime of support from the Fire Firefighters Charity for you and your loved ones
family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and pay
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
an annual cost-of-living pay increase
access to national training schemes facilitated by the Fire Service College, Women in the Fire Service and the Asian Fire Service Association
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
free access to virtual platforms offering guided online fitness support
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
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.