HR Advisor

Summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are looking for an HR Advisor to enhance our People Services team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. You'll join us on a 12 month fixed term contract working 37 hours per week. In return you will receive a competitive salary of £37035.00 - £39513.00 per annum. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset. 

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce. 

About the role: 

The HR Advisor role is key in our People Services Team, providing high quality, professional HR advice to line managers and employees across the Service. Working as part of our experienced HRBP team, you will: 

Key responsibilities of our HR Advisor: 

• Be the first point of contact for managers and employees for ER queries. respond comprehensively, provide advice, guidance, coaching and signposting. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with line managers, offering professional support, guidance and advice. 
• Manage your own caseload advising and supporting managers on handling informal casework, such as performance management and managing sickness absence. 
• Support the HR Business Partner team by providing advice and assistance during investigations, which may involve logistics, note taking, acting as an investigating officer, or advising at formal hearings. 
• Point of escalation for the HR Coordinator and HR Assistant queries. 
• Prepare regular reports and analysis from the Services' IT systems, including ITrent and work with the HR Business Partners to identify key issues, themes and trends developing and monitor action plans. 
• Understand and support with the Job Evaluation process, supporting managers with the process, being aware of grade evaluations. 
• Assist in researching and preparing training materials for course and workshops and deliver these training sessions as required. 
• Contribute to the People Services department projects aimed at improving exiting practices and procedures, researching and sharing best practices, and collaborating with colleagues from different HR teams. 

We're looking for someone to take a proactive approach and always look for opportunities for People Services to add value to the service, empower our managers, and cultivate a positive employee experience. 

Find out more:

Benefits: 

Looking after our staff and making sure they are happy at work is important to us. As well as a career where you are making a difference - there are a range of benefits such as generous annual leave allowance, that come with working for us. More details can be found here.

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave. 
• Family Leave.
• Access to physiotherapy.
• Progression routes and training.
• Free gym access and fitness coaching. 
• Eye care.
• Blue Light Membership Discounts.
• Affordable healthcare through Benenden Health.
• Sports and Social Groups.
• Someone to talk to; free access to counselling, trained staff supporters and mental health first aiders who are there whenever you need someone to talk to. 
• Access to the Firefighters Charity.
• Cycle to Work Scheme. 

Closing Date for applications: 2359hrs 30 March 2025

Shortlisting will take place week commencing 31 March 2025, and we are expecting to hold the selection process on Friday 2 and Tuesday 6 May 2025.

Should you have any questions regarding the role, please contact our Senior HR Business Partner Angela Boyd via aboyd@dsfire.gov.uk

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our HR Advisor please click 'apply today, we would love to hear from you. 

The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK. 

How to apply:

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document detailing how you meet the following essential criteria taken from the Job Description and Person Specification. 

1. Good working knowledge and understanding of day to day HR and ER activities and up to date knowledge of employment law. 
2. Recent experience working in an HR environment, in particular experience of employee relations and case work. 
3. Experience of providing innovative HR support and advice in a challenging and fast paced environment. 
4. Experience of employee relations work e.g. supporting performance management, absence management, disciplinary and grievance cases both at informal and formal stages including formal hearings. 
5. CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent work experience. 
6. A proven ability to plan, prioritise and organise own workload effectively in a busy environment. 

To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Essential Criteria for HR Advisor Application" for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application. 

Please note the evidence that you upload to your application should not exceed 2000 words in total (excluding titles). 

Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received. 

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services' Safeguarding Policy and Procedure. 

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is out policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response. 

As a Service and as individuals: 

• We are proud to help. 
• We are honest. 
• We are respectful. 
• We are working together. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.