Description Watch Commander OTDL - Breathing Apparatus Instructor Publish date: 04 February 2026 Closing date: 20 February 2026 Overview West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the second largest fire and rescue service in England, serving an area of 902km square and a population of over 2.9 million people. Our vision is ‘Making the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier’. This vision and the strategic goals outlined in ‘Our Strategy’ are what drives the people, professionalism and pride with which we serve our communities. The WMFS Operational Training and Development Function are pleased to be recruiting for high performing, self-motivated and committed Watch Commanders who possesses strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, instilling a sense of pride and professionalism in all that they do. You will need an excellent understanding of the organisational strategy. You will be expected to support and positively promote the strategy of the organisation both internally and externally and have a good understanding of how OT&D operates alongside ‘The Strategy’. Applications are invited from high performing, competent Watch Commanders or Crew Commanders who have been working towards the appropriate development pathway. You will need all of the following Breathing Apparatus specific skills (BAi, FBTi, PPVi). These skills are essential to the role and priority will be given to applicants who hold all three. External applicants must be serving in wholetime positions and eligible to enter a selection process to Watch Commander. The four positions will be permanent: two Watch Commander B roles, and two Watch Commander A. This will be a full selection process, that will run independently of any brigade-wide processes. These positions attract an additional payment to support the flexible approach required for delivering operational training. Each applicant must hold a current UK driving licence and be willing to work at various locations across the service area. They will need to be flexible in their work pattern to support service requirements when needed. There will be a requirement to carry out 22 resilience shifts per year. The BA team are highly motivated and driven to support learning and development across the organisation, assisting all to achieve excellence in everything they do. Applicants will need a good understanding of a coaching and mentoring approach to learning and development, helping individuals and teams to maximise their potential. Assessing and teaching qualifications will need to be gained for this role, so if candidates already hold these qualifications or are working to achieve these qualifications, it will support the application. An ability to connect with people across all levels of the organisation and foster solid relationships based on core values is essential. The successful candidate will have strong leadership skills. This is an exciting and challenging role that requires the highest levels of commitment and motivation. WMFS prides itself on the realistic BA training it provides to our firefighters, and we are always seeking new and innovative methods to support training and development. This role requires the highest levels of commitment to delivering BA training and assessments to our trainees and operational firefighters in support of our recently introduced OTDM training model. Successful applicants will be expected to remain in this post for a minimum of two years. Responsibilities provide BA training and assessments to our recruits and operational firefighters be a point of contact and subject matter advisor for BA advise and support on the development of BA procedure, policy and learning materials manage health and safety requirements at our BA training facilities identify and implement new training and assessment methods to support the application of BA in the operational environment. Experience and skills Essential demonstrate strong leadership, with the ability to motivate others and instil a sense of pride and professionalism experience of assessing and teaching in relation to BA good understanding of coaching and mentoring others to maximise their potential possess the personal resilience to be able to provide constructive feedback when performance standards have not been achieved need to work flexibly to support functional requirements a current UK driving licence. Desirable teaching and assessing qualification current and valid Positive Pressure Ventilation Instructor qualification. Diversity We welcome applications from all eligible candidates. However, as women and Black and minority ethnic employees are currently under-represented in our service, we particularly encourage applications from these groups. WMFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect the same of every staff member. Successful candidates will be subject to necessary pre-employment checks, including - where applicable - relevant level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, qualifications, medical clearance, identity and right to work. All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references. How to apply Please answer the selection questions in this application. Following the initial sift, applicants will be invited for interview/further assessments. You will be asked to supply certificates/evidence of relevant qualifications. Questions If you have any questions about the role, or would like an informal discussion, please contact Neil Baker on 07765 241 383 or by email neil.baker@wmfs.net