Watch Manager - OX5 2DUNumber of Positions: 1Contract Type: PermanentSalary: £44038 - £48202Working Hours: 42Location: OxfordshireBusiness Unit: Fire Services & Community SafetyHelp us make Oxfordshire an even safer place to live, work and visit.About UsOxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (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 it’s employees and empowers everyone to contribute to this purpose, through a culture that is vibrant and inclusive. About the RoleAs 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 document should be attached to your online application form or emailed to ERRT@oxfordshire.gov.uk 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 ERRT@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Phase TwoInterviews 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. EligibilityTo be eligible to apply for this process, all candidates must have the following in place by 00:00 Monday 6th April 2026. Internal CandidatesHave completed their Crew Manager Development Programme or the Crew Manager element of Leading the Team Pathway.Be substantive in a Crew Manager roleHave no live formal or informal warnings/action plansHave no active personal improvement plansHold a current Level 1 Incident Command Qualification External CandidatesBe substantive in a Crew or Watch Manager roleHave no live formal or informal warnings/action plansHave no active personal improvement plansHold a current Level 1 Incident Command Qualification Please note: We will not contact your current employer without your express permission.If successful, the following will be sought prior to appointment:Home-service training recordsTwo References* One from current line manager, including confirmation of no live informal or formal warnings or action plansDBS CheckInitial MedicalFitness 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 help 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.For more information on this, please contact Station Manager Career Pathways. Rewards and BenefitsEmployee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing supportLocal and national discounts for shopping and travelGreat learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development. Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and InclusionAt 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. Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview SchemesAs 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. Our commitment to: SafeguardingOxfordshire 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. Our commitment to: Flexible WorkingWe are open to discussions about flexible working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.Follow us on Social MediaStay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: jeanette.dee@oxfordshire.gov.uk