Support staff roles

All new starters can join the local government pension scheme.

You’ll get a generous annual leave allowance. The minimum leave allowance is 24 days, plus bank holidays. This will rise depending on grade and length of service.

We’re committed to making sure that our staff have the ability to balance their career with their role as a parent or carer too. You can read more about family leave (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/benefits/family-leave).

Life has its challenges, but with us you’ll never have to face them alone. Everyone in the organisation has free access to counselling, and support is also available for family members too. We also have trained staff supporters and mental health first aiders who are there whenever you need someone to talk to. As members of the Service, you and your family can access physical, emotional and social support through The Fire Fighters Charity whether you’re currently serving or retired. Find out more on the Fire Fighters Charity website. (https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/)

Every member of staff can have sessions with a physiotherapist for free, helping you maintain your physical health.

With a free on-site gym at Service Headquarters, it’s even easier for you to stay fit and healthy; no matter what role you’re in.

From dietary plans to exercise advice, we’ll support you to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle with support from our fitness team.

We recognise that some roles mean you spend a lot of time looking at a screen. That’s why you’ll get a voucher towards an eye test every two years, and for those who qualify under current DSE regulations, a contribution towards the cost of your glasses.

There is free parking for staff at Service Headquarters.

In addition to the Blue Light Card scheme which gives members of emergency services discounts both online and on the high street, there is also a wide range of shopping discounts and offers available to all staff on our Employee Benefits Platform.

We’ve teamed up with award-winning healthcare provider, Benenden Health, (https://www.benenden.co.uk/) a mutual not-for-profit society, to give our staff access to a wide range of healthcare services (such as round-the-clock reassurance from a GP). All members pay the same low monthly fee regardless of age and any pre-existing medical conditions.

From martial arts to mountaineering, there are lots of staff-run activity groups you can sign up to, offering a space to socialise and boost your fitness in a fun way!

We'll help you reach your goals. Whatever your career ambitions, there are lots of opportunities to progress in the Service, and we have a dedicated training academy too.

Picking up your little ones from school, taking your pooch to doggy daycare or simply needing time for life admin. Work and home can be a balancing act, which is why we offer a flexible approach to working.

You can work flexibly between our core hours of 8am to 6pm, as long as your working hours are met.

Once you have successfully completed your probation, our Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme is a Government backed initiative that enables you to obtain a bike and/or cycling accessories to use for riding to work, whilst making tax and National Insurance savings from your gross pay.

Once you have successfully completed your probation, eligible staff can apply for our Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, which enables you to obtain a fully insured and maintained brand-new electric car whilst making tax and National Insurance savings from your gross pay (terms and conditions apply, may not be suitable to all circumstances).