Overview
Job title: Civil Contingencies Officer - Training and Exercising
Grade: G
Salary: £44,075 - £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. Covering a Duty Rota will also be required, one week in six. There is an On Call allowance payable for the duty rota.
Location: The service encourages flexible working and is open to flexible working options. The role will be based at Dorchester Support Offices with the flexibility to work from home / DWFRS Stations / Support Offices. There will be a requirement to attend your base location approximately two days a month for key activities and meetings.
Appointment Type: Permanent
Contact: For a chat about this post, please contact Deborah Haynes, Head of Dorset Civil Contingencies Unit, on 07825 681087 / [email protected] or Kirstie Gooding, Training and Exercising Coordinator on 07768 701346 / [email protected]
Closing and Interview date: The closing date for applications is Sunday 26 April 2026 (midnight). Interviews are intended to take place on Friday 8 May 2026.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, an organisation that is passionate about changing and saving lives. Our corporate staff are vital in helping to make our communities safer and healthier.
Benefits: We offer a flexi time scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, a generous annual leave allowance, family-friendly schemes including 39 weeks of full pay during maternity leave (subject to qualifying criteria) and health & well-being services.
Responsibilities
* Coordinate the provision of training and exercising for Category 1 (core responders), Category 2 (co-operating responders) and other bodies (MOD, Voluntary Groups) for the Dorset Local Resilience Forum (LRF) in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and related guidance, standards, and good practice.
* Manage and chair the multi-agency Training & Exercising Group to deliver a schedule of Exercises and a prospectus of courses for the Dorset LRF; assist with development, implementation and delivery of key projects and exercises to build Dorset resilience.
* Create, maintain and deliver Civil Contingencies Exercises to support ongoing development of Stakeholders and validation of emergency plans.
* Coordinate activation of multi-agency responses for major incidents and provide advice and practical support to all agencies of the LRF during incidents.
* Chair assigned Task and Finish Groups (TFGs) across the Dorset Local Resilience Forum to build resilience and deliver internal service improvements.
* Undertake the role of Duty Officer and coordinate activation of multi-agency response for incidents, providing professional advice and support at Tactical or Strategic levels.
Qualifications and Experience
* Qualified to relevant degree level, or equivalent managerial qualification in training and exercising or emergency planning, or demonstrable senior-level graduate calibre experience in a relevant sector.
* Sound knowledge of legislation pertaining to emergency planning including the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and related guidance.
* Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude to internal/external customer care, including IT proficiency with Microsoft Office.
* High level of interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, direct, negotiate and manage outcomes.
Other Information
* You must have a full current driving licence and be able to fulfil the significant travel requirements of the role. A service vehicle may be available; however, vehicles are manual transmission only. Travel includes face-to-face planned meetings and short-notice out-of-hours responses if required in an emergency when on-call. Reasonable adjustments can be discussed if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
* Role involves some evening and weekend work, especially when covering Duty Week on a one in six-week basis.
* A Standard Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance will be undertaken prior to offer of employment.
* A Police Baseline Vetting process is required due to access to Police establishments.
* Offers are subject to full pre-employment checks including identity, right to work, medical, references, and verification of employment history.
How to Apply
For further guidance on completing your application, refer to the Job Application Guidance Notes. If you require assistance due to a disability, please contact HR Resourcing.
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