HR People Partner - Maternity Cover at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
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Job title: HR People Partner - Maternity Cover
Grade: G
Salary: £44,075 to £47,181 per annum (rising by annual increments to £47,181) More information on salaries and progression can be found on our pay and policies page.
Hours: Full time - 37 hours per week
Location: The role will be based at either Dorchester Support Offices, Poundbury or Salisbury with the flexibility to work from home / DWFRS Stations / Support Offices. The service encourages flexible working and welcomes a conversation with the successful candidate about the best arrangement for them.
Travel: Significant travel across the Service, in particular to Christchurch, Springbourne, Ferndown, Verwood, Poole, Hamworthy, Swanage and Wareham.
Appointment type: Temporary – up to 18 months fixed‑term contract (or until return of substantive postholder) – maternity cover
Contact: Adele Smyth, Senior HR People Partner – 07585 985503 or adele.smyth@dwfire.org.uk
Closing and Interview date: Closing date Sunday 30 November 2025 at midnight. Interviews scheduled for Thursday 11 December 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, an organisation passionate about changing and saving lives. Our corporate staff are vital in keeping communities safer and healthier.
Benefits include a flexi‑time scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, family‑friendly schemes (including 39 weeks’ full pay during maternity leave where qualifying) and health & well‑being services.
Responsibilities
* Develop relationships with, and support managers within the Service to implement best practice, delivering objectives and enabling business plan execution.
* Provide advice, support and guidance on employee relations issues such as conflict resolution, mediation, investigation, disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance/sickness issues, flexible working, maternity/paternity matters, redundancy, job design and restructures.
* Ensure line managers effectively apply HR policies and procedures, keeping them up to date and consistently applied.
* Support key stakeholders in leadership development, coaching, performance management and succession planning.
Why You Are Ideal
* Qualified member level of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (MCIPD) or demonstrable graduate‑level experience at this level.
* Previous business‑partner experience providing HR support and advice on a wide range of employee relations and HR matters.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of employment legislation and experience applying it to advise on best practice, minimising organisational risk.
* Ability to build and maintain strong, professional, credible relationships at all organisational levels.
Other Information
* Full current driving licence required; role involves significant travel and use of own vehicle (Service vehicle manual transmission may be provided).
* Some evening working to support operational staff at drill nights.
* If applying for a secondment, notify your substantive line manager at the earliest opportunity.
* Standard Disclosure & Barring Service Check (DBS) clearance before offer.
* Full pre‑employment checks: identity, right to work, medical, drug test, references, employment history verification and gaps explanation.
* If a permanent position arises during the contract, you may be considered for the role.
* Information on raising tax awareness and pension considerations available online.
To Find Out More And Apply
Our Candidate Charter outlines the commitments we make to you. We do not accept CVs in place of application forms. AI may be used responsibly in applications but should not override your voice. We value authenticity and fairness in our assessment.
Include satisfactory evidence in your application to demonstrate all areas outlined in the Person Specification. This gives you the best chance of progressing.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. All applicants are treated on merit and recruiters are trained to avoid bias.
We are committed to the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee an interview to applicants with a disclosed disability who meet the minimum criteria. Please let us know in confidence if you need reasonable adjustments.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
International qualifications must be compared to UK qualifications; a Statement of Comparability from ENIC is required (note ENIC charges for the service and it is not reimbursed).
For guidance on completing your application, refer to the Job Application Guidance Notes. If you need an alternative format due to disability, contact HR Resourcing on 01722 691444 well before the closing date.
Values and behaviours framework is based on our Code of Ethics, developed for Fire and Rescue Services. Identified behaviours guide short‑listing and selection.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of disability. All applicants are assessed fairly.
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