We are offering an exciting opportunity to join East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as a Health and Safety Business Partner. As part of a busy and dedicated team, you will play a key role in supporting colleagues across the organisation to meet their health and safety responsibilities and improve the safety and effectiveness of our working environments.
This varied and influential role involves providing clear, professional advice on all aspects of health and safety. You will work closely with teams and colleagues at every level, attend meetings, help develop and deliver our Health and Safety Management System (HSMS), contribute to policy creation and review, and lead on key safety activities such as audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
You will play a vital role in embedding a proactive safety culturebuilding strong relationships, promoting learning and continuous improvement, and identifying opportunities to enhance both safety and efficiency.
As part of the Risk Reduction Directorate, you play a central role in identifying and advising on the reduction of risk to both staff and the community. Your work is key to ensuring the Service is confident and prepared to meet its legal responsibilities, while supporting the wider aim of keeping communities safe.
We are looking for someone who has:
* A NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) and membership of a relevant professional body
* Proven experience in a similar role, ideally within a complex or high-risk environment
* Solid knowledge of health and safety legislation, systems, and best practice
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills
* Confidence in leading projects and engaging with stakeholders at all levels
* A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
You will need to be flexible and mobile, as the role requires travel across the countyand occasionally beyondfor audits, meetings, and investigations.
Interviews: w/c 9th March 2026
For further information or an informal discussion about this role please contact Madelyn Stevens, Strategic Health & Safety Manager on 07950 876818 or email madelyn.stevens@esfrs.org
Our Purpose, Commitments and Values.
Our Purpose and Commitments are at the centre of everything we do. Whether responding to emergencies, working to prevent them happening in the first place or providing support, our firefighters, officers, control room operators, Business and Community safety teams, support staff and volunteers all play their part.
We are proud to serve East Sussex and Brighton and Hove City.
Our purpose
* We make our communities safer
Our Commitments
We will do this by:
* Delivering high performing services
* Educating our communities
* Developing a multi-skilled, safe and valued workforce
* Making effective use of our resources
Our Values
PROUD - We are proud of our Service and enjoy working in a positive environment - by continually improving our services and our organisation.
ACCOUNTABLE - Serving our whole community - by providing a good, cost-effective service.
INTEGRITY - Trust, integrity, initiative and innovation - by being open, honest and encouraging creativity.
RESPECT - respect and dignity for all - by treating members of our community and each other in a way that values their individuality and by challenging discrimination and unsuitable behaviour.
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Diversity and Inclusion
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve.
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, (ESFRS), are committed to equality of opportunity for all job applicants and aims to select suitably qualified people based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training.
For more information please read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .
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Safeguarding
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and suppliers to share this commitment.
ESFRS is a member of the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Boards.
You can read our safeguarding statement here.
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DBS and Non-Police Personnel Vetting
All roles at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service will be subject to either DBS checks (minimum standard level) or a Police vetting process (the latter for roles based at Joint Headquarters in Lewes). The check will take place for the preferred candidate at the end of the selection process, before a final offer of employment can be made. For more information about DBS and Vetting, please read our DBS and Vetting Policy.
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Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
ESFRS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and therefore will consider ex-offenders for employment on their merits, (subject to the necessary DBS & Non-Police Personnel Vetting clearances required for the role). For more information please read our Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Statement.
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Notes
Please note that recruitment processes may be withdrawn or varied at short notice due to the Services' Organisational Change policy.