Job Introduction
Help us make Oxfordshire an even safer place to live, work and visit.
About Us
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Services (OFRS) purpose is to protect our communities, reduce harm and save lives. This will be delivered through leadership at all levels, that cares about people, is forward thinking with response options, innovative with prevention initiatives and focuses our protection work on the highest risk properties in our county. It values its employees and empowers everyone to contribute to this purpose, through a culture that is vibrant and inclusive.
About the Role
As an operational Watch Manager within Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service you will be responsible for leading a team to deliver the objectives of the service direction. We are inviting applications from substantive, competent operational Crew and Watch Managers, who work within the Wholetime or On Call duty system for a local authority fire and rescue service. Applicants must hold a Level 1 incident command qualification. Please note: On Call applicants will only be able to apply for On Call Watch Manager posts, if successful in this process.
About The Process
Phase One. Application Form, Values and Behaviours Document and Case Study Exercise. Candidates will be required to complete an application form, a values and behaviours evidence document and a case study exercise. The case study exercise will require candidates to respond to a request by a line manager and formulate a response using a pre‑populated form. Your completed Values and Behaviours document and Case Study Exercise should be attached to your online application form or emailed to.
The closing date for submission is 00:00 Monday April 6th, 2026. Late or partially completed applications will not be accepted.
WM Briefing Event: 11:00 19th March 2026. An online briefing event designed to answer any questions that candidates may have will be delivered by GM Danny Hicks. This session will give an overview of the promotional process and offer an opportunity for questions to be asked. It is highly recommended that candidates attend this briefing session.
To request the joining link for the briefing session please contact.
Phase Two. Interviews and Presentation. Candidates successful in the first phase, will be invited to Phase Two. This phase will incorporate an interview and delivery of a presentation, based on one of the plans documented in the case study. Phase Two will be held at OFRS Headquarters during the week beginning April 20th, 2026.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this process, all candidates must have the following in place by 00:00 Monday 6th April 2026.
Internal Candidates
* Be substantive in a Crew Manager role
* Have no live formal or informal warnings/action plans
* Have no active personal improvement plans
* Hold a current Level 1 Incident Command Qualification
External Candidates
* Be substantive in a Crew or Watch Manager role
* Have no live formal or informal warnings/action plans
* Have no active personal improvement plans
* Hold a current Level 1 Incident Command Qualification
Requirements for Appointment
* Home-service training records
* Two References – one from current line manager, including confirmation of no live informal or formal warnings or action plans
* DBS Check
* Initial Medical
* Fitness Test (Chester treadmill test to ensure a VO2 Max of 42)
Successful Candidates
Candidates who are successful in this process will be entered into a pool of staff eligible for promotion. Successful Wholetime candidates will be expected to undertake a Level 3 qualification in Leadership & Management, unless they can provide evidence of recognised prior learning. Successful On‑Call candidates will be given the option of a L3 Qualification.
Unsuccessful Candidates
Candidates who are unsuccessful will be given the opportunity to take part in a trial of a new personalised development programme, designed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in partnership with the NFCC. The purpose of this programme is to help candidates develop leadership & management skills to support future promotional processes. The trial will give candidates access to the CMI assessment tool and the NFCC Resource Library, containing over 24,000 high‑quality learning resources in a variety of formats to suit all learning styles.
Rewards and Benefits
* Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
* Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
* Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Our Commitment To:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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