Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service - Home Safety Assistant
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is seeking Home Safety Assistants to join our team at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. We offer:
* 2 full-time roles (37 hours/week) on permanent contracts
* 1 part-time role (22.2 hours/week) on a 12-month fixed-term contract
Salary ranges from £29,540 to £32,061 (gross per annum). As the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, we provide prevention, protection, and response services across Devon and Somerset. Our vision is to work together to eliminate preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer environment for all.
About the Role: As a Home Safety Assistant, you will be the primary contact for the public, partner agencies, and internal staff, providing vital home safety advice to prevent fires. You will manage and prioritize schedules for over 30 Home Safety Technicians, coordinate home safety visits, and liaise with other departments and external agencies. This role involves engaging with vulnerable community members, some of whom may be distressed, requiring confidence and experience in handling sensitive situations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Serve as the first point of contact for requests regarding Home Safety Visits for vulnerable community members.
* Coordinate with Home Safety Technicians regarding workload and schedules.
* Handle calls from vulnerable individuals in a calm and professional manner.
* Manage the FireKills email inbox, ensuring requests are processed timely and appropriately.
* Assess eligibility for home safety visits based on criteria, using professional judgment to override when necessary, and provide safety advice to non-eligible individuals.
* Update and maintain home safety and community safety IT systems, ensuring compliance with GDPR.
* Use sensitive judgment to escalate issues to safeguarding teams and update relevant information.
Qualifications and Skills:
* Good academic background.
* Knowledge of basic office systems and procedures.
* Willingness to undergo DBS checks.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong time management skills.
* Excellent listening and questioning skills.
* Flexible, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.
* Experience dealing with the public, especially vulnerable groups, and handling conflict or hostile situations.
This role involves working in a busy environment with the need for sensitivity and professionalism. If you are confident in managing sensitive situations and committed to community safety, we encourage you to apply.
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