Watch Commander On Call Leighton Buzzard A26 - Leighton BuzzardSalary: Subject to agreed hours coverBasis: Full timePackage: Salary based on national and service terms and conditionsContractual Hours: Region: Job Category: Operations Job Description:Internal Vacancy: Permanent Vacancy - Watch Commander Leighton Buzzard On CallA permanent Watch Commander vacancy on the Retained Duty System has arisen at Leighton Buzzard station.Personnel must be capable of meeting the response time and availability requirements of the Station and post (living or working within 6 minutes of Fire Station), and expressions of interest are invited from: Watch Commanders on transfer (Whole Time or Retained Duty System) Crew Commanders on substantive promotion (Whole Time or Retained Duty System) who are in the Watch Commander Talent Pool – having completed the promotion gateway or previously holding a current pass for the Supervisory Manager In Band process and hold the relevant technical examinations (Refer V09 01/03 Technical Examinations for Operational and Control Roles)Retained Watch Commanders will be responsible for the supervisory management of the designated retained duty system Section, providing leadership for and assisting in coordinating the activities of crews and managing day to day use of allocated station resources to ensure the effective delivery of protection, prevention and emergency incident response services. Applicants will demonstrate excellent leadership qualities that align with the NFCC Leadership Framework, our service behaviours and values.The Job Description and Person Specification is available on Sharepoint This post is conditioned to Grey Book Service conditions.Candidates who have a live disciplinary sanction for either Attendance or Conduct at the time of application closing date will not normally be eligible to engage in the selection process. Candidates pending the outcome of a disciplinary matter will not normally be eligible for appointment until the outcome is known. (Exceptions may be made in instances where extenuating circumstances apply).Expressions of interest should be submitted via the Internal Vacancies section on ITRENT. Applicants should outline within the personal statement how they are able to meet the station response time, and demonstrate relevant knowledge/experience around the core areas below. Applicants should provide brief examples where applicable.Ability to meet station response timeOperational Command and responsibilities (at role level)Development and Support of StaffLeadership qualitiesApplicants will be required to attend a selection process involving a short interview. The interview will assess candidate’s ability to perform the roles and responsibilities of the On Call Watch Commander post within Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. It will be based on the job description and person specification, and may include strengths based style questions based on the NFCC Leadership Framework/Professional Behaviours.Selection will be based upon the outcome from this interview. Where there is a single applicant for a substantive post, a professional discussion may take place. Closing Date: 23.59 hours 17 May 2026 Interviews are provisionally due to take place w/c 25 May 2026.For further information please contact Station Commander David Lee.Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community. This is a public-facing role and it is essential to have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2023. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the level required for the role. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safer recruitment, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.At Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, we’re not all the same. And that’s our greatest strength. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we think. Because to provide a service that serves everyone, we believe in including everyone.