Description
The starting salary for this position is £41,585 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.
The fantastic Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are looking for people to carry out the vital role of a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer, based out of either Walton or Farnham Fire Station Business Fire Safety Offices. This opportunity welcomes applications from people who have a background and expertise in compliance and regulation.
Rewards and Benefits
1. 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
2. Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
3. An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
4. Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
5. Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
6. A generous local government salary related pension
7. Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
8. 2 paid volunteering days per year
9. Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
Are you passionate about making a difference to the communities of Surrey?
As a Business Fire Safety Inspector your role will be to inspect and audit high and very high-risk business premises in Surrey to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 on behalf of the fire authority. You will support the Protection Teams to deliver the objectives of the Risk Based Inspection Programme, ensuring that buildings, and the people that use them, are safer through education and enforcement. You will be supported by an experienced team, made up of operational and civilian backgrounds and experience. As you progress in the role you will be required to obtain further specialist and technical knowledge in fire safety which will be overseen by a Fire Safety Manager.
This role will involve engaging with various partners and business owners to lead and support people to lawfully resolve regulatory fire safety matters, ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. You will also be responsible for educating businesses and fire teams, ensuring shared understanding of risks. You will carry out consultations, inspection and audit regimes, follow up visits, and decide on appropriate enforcement levels based on audit outcomes.
A typical day in this important role will see the Business Fire Safety Inspector assessing risks and hazards associated with fire, evaluating measures in place to protect people and premises, influencing and supporting businesses to act on recommendations and, where appropriate, reporting breaches and taking required enforcement actions.
You will need to be able to demonstrate a calm, confident and resilient approach to sometimes unpredictable, challenging or dangerous situations while maintaining respect for others.
Shortlisting Criteria
This role will require you to be flexible, respond positively to change and be prepared for continuous learning and professional development throughout your career. The regulations governing the fire safety aspects of buildings are frequently evolving and you will need to ensure that you keep up to date. A reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility is necessary as you will be required to inspect multiple areas of a building and take equipment with you to carry out your role. This can also include walking around the surrounding areas as well as reviewing a building internally.
To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:
10. Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety
11. Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety, or working towards this
12. Knowledge of regulation or enforcement of fire safety legislation or similar
13. Health and Safety qualifications and/or experience
14. Experience in the fire safety arena or delivery of fire safety linked activities
15. Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
16. Excellent report writing skills
17. Ability to work effectively with technology and competence with basic software and IT equipment
18. People and team leadership skills, as the role will offer opportunities to lead Advisors or Business Education Officers
If successful further training and qualifications will be provided to enhance and support your development.
Application Questions (300 words max per answer):
19. Please describe a time when you have led, engaged and motivated others, both within the Fire Service and externally, (please describe one situation where you have had to engage with both)
20. Please describe your understanding of Fire Safety in the Workplace
21. Please provide an example of where you have been open and flexible towards change, and lead participation in devising solutions to problems
22. Please provide an example of where you have displayed a proactive approach to work and how you achieve a consistently high standard of work
23. Please provide an example of when you have experienced conflict at work with a member of the public, or someone from another organisation, and explain how you managed this conflict
Contact Us
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 23rd August 2025 with shortlisting being completed the week commencing 25th August 2025. Interviews will take place after the week commencing 1st September 2025.
We look forward to receiving your application,