HR Adviser (Service Support)
(Maternity cover – up to 12 months)
Benefits:
Salary: £39,862 - £45,091 per annum (Pay award pending) Grade 5
Hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
Excellent annual leave allowance of 28 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available
About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to join Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) as an HR Adviser on a fixed-term basis, supporting a professional and high-performing HR team.
You will play an important role in delivering high quality HR advice and support across a broad range of employment and service matters, while also contributing to payroll, pensions and key organisational projects.
If you are looking for a varied and rewarding HR role where you can make a real contribution, and you have strong digital skills including Microsoft Office and HR systems, this could be an excellent next step in your career.
About you:
We are seeking a motivated, professional and detail oriented HR practitioner with a strong generalist background. You will enjoy working collaboratively, have a solutions-focused mindset, and be confident providing advice on a wide range of HR matters.
You will bring:
Experience in a HR Adviser or similar generalist HR role
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships
The ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
Confidence in handling sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy and professionalism, including difficult situations
Knowledge of employment law, data protection and HR best practice
Experience in transactional HR work, including disciplinary and grievance casework
Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, and experience of payroll systems
Excellent accuracy, attention to detail, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, and to support the development of others
CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent
The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:
Provide HR advice and guidance to managers and employees on pay, pensions, policies, and employment matters
Support HR projects, including those relating to pensions, data management and organisational change
Manage the day-to-day relationship with payroll and pension providers, ensuring accurate and timely service delivery
Ensure monthly and annual payroll activities are completed accurately, including checks and audit support
Review, develop and improve HR processes in line with legislative and organisational changes
Support and develop team members, contributing to a high-quality HR service
Key role requirements: (knowledge, skills and experience)
Able to interpret and advise on legal, contractual and regional documents
Knowledge of employment law
Experience handling sensitive employment cases, including discipline and grievances
Experience advising on employment law and case law
Application and selection process
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.
The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.
If you are interested in applying for this position click Apply Now.
Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification.
Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.
For further details about the role please contact Emma Scott, Senior HR Adviser, (Service Provision) at (url removed) to arrange an informal discussion.
If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin at (url removed) or by phone (phone number removed) for an informal discussion.
Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form.
Closing date for applications is 0900 hours 13 July 2026.
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run week commencing 13 July 2026.
Anticipated start date: Late August 2026.
Please note that is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge.
Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement
Our Commitments:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.
Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.
Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.
All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.
Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement on application