Job Description

Contract: Permanent and 12-month fixed term contracts.

Working Hours: 42 hours per week subject to Grey Book terms and conditions.

Shift pattern: 2 x Day shift (0800-1800) 2 x Night shift (1800-0800) 4 x Rota days in a rolling 8-day contract.

Salary: 28,865 rising to 36,937 (when competent)

Location: Service Headquarters, Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex. CM8 3HB.

Secondary Control: Ongar Fire Station, 67 High Street, Ongar, Essex. CM5 9DT.

Closing Date: Sunday 30th November

The Role

Are you calm under pressure, a clear communicator, and passionate about helping others? Fire control personnel are the first point of contact in emergency situations, playing a vital role in saving lives and protecting communities. From answering 999 calls to mobilising fire crews and providing lifesaving guidance, this highly skilled role demands resilience, teamwork, and quick decision-making.

Using advanced technology and thorough training, you'll manage resources, support crews during incidents, and work closely with other emergency services. This is more than a job--it's a commitment to public service and a rewarding career for those who thrive in fast-paced, meaningful environments.

Be part of a team that's there when it matters most.

What You Will Be Working On

To receive and record emergency and non-emergency calls, including from operational crews and other agencies, ensuring that all relevant information is accurately obtained and recorded. To utilise advanced call-handling techniques, when appropriate, provide survival advice and guidance to callers in danger situations and pass information obtained to crews and other emergency agencies, when required, utilising the Emergency Call Management Processes. To mobilise appropriate resources, including officers and special equipment via the Mobilising and Communication Systems, including Paging Systems and Systems used during Business Continuity. To transmit, receive, acknowledge, and accurately record messages (normally using telephone and radio) to and from incidents. Operate, monitor, and test communications equipment to ensure a constant state of readiness in the Control Room environment, including responding to alarms, alerts, or faults, liaising with ICT, and reporting accordingly. Liaise, as appropriate, with other Authorities, Emergency Services, Commercial Organisations and other Fire and Rescue Services. To maintain communication links, including the maintenance of County wide fire cover for the duration of all incidents and manage risk and other specialist information. Informing the Watch/Crew Manager immediately of changing circumstances in relation to incidents, resource availability and equipment.

What Are We Looking For?

As the first point of contact in a crisis, you'll be the calm, reassuring voice that helps guide people through some of their most difficult moments. Can you bring empathy, resilience, and a strong commitment to public service to every call?

In this role, you will need to stay focused and emotionally steady under pressure, making clear decisions when it matters most. You will be an intuitive multi-tasker who can adapt quickly with no warning and manage competing priorities and tasks during times of peak demand. Confident working both on your own initiative and while following instruction, you will collaborate effectively as part of a team, communicate clearly, and listen attentively to gather vital information from distressed callers and assess the urgency of each situation.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the role, you must be able to demonstrate that you have:

Level 2 standard of education (GCSE A-C / 9-4 English and Maths) Proven written and verbal communication skills Confident using ICT systems such as Outlook Thrives in a high-pressured environment
Annual leave is unavailable during the first 12 weeks due to the intensive training programme.

How to apply

All candidates

You will be required to submit a CV detailing a minimum of five years employment and / or education history, along with a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that evidences how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification.

You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count of your supporting statement should not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications) should you wish. Your CV and additional documents will be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

Assessment and selection:

Initial Application

Submit a 750-word application
Now Open
Closes: 30th November 2025

Shortlisting: w/c 1st December 2025

Outcomes communicated by: Friday 5th December

Assessment Centre
Date: 10th & 11th December 2025
Location: Fire Service HQ, Kelvedon Park - OCAT and Control
Includes - please note that the assessment format and details may be subject to change, and further information will be provided after shortlisting:

Typing Test Aptitude Test Pre-Learning Online Verbal Reasoning Practical assessment Interview
Outcomes communicated by: W/C 15th December 2025

Use NFCC Leadership Framework, the Core Code of Ethics Guidance for further insight into the standards expected across the fire and rescue service and the ECFRS Safeguarding Statements below:

NFCC_Leadership_Framework_Final.pdf (nationalfirechiefs.org.uk)

Core Code of Ethics England Guidance May 21 V0.pdf (ukfrs.com)

Essex Fire - Safeguarding Statements

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact Station Manager Becky Sutton at Becky.Sutton@Essex-Fire.gov.uk

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.

You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits

Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners

If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.

For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@essex-fire.gov.uk.

Safeguarding

Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.

The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.

This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.

Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk

You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk

You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 28,865.00-36,937.00 per year

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person