Fire Safety Inspecting Officer

The fantastic Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are looking for people to carry out the vital role of a Fire Safety Inspecting Officer, based out of either Walton or Farnham Fire Station Business Fire Safety Offices. This opportunity welcomes applications from people who have a background and expertise in compliance and regulation.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a difference to the communities of Surrey?

As a Business Fire Safety Inspector your role will be to inspect and audit high and very high-risk business premises in Surrey to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 on behalf of the fire authority. You will support the Protection Teams to deliver the objectives of the Risk Based Inspection Programme, ensuring that buildings, and the people that use them, are safer through education and enforcement. You will be supported by an experienced team, made up of operational and civilian backgrounds and experience. As you progress in the role you will be required to obtain further specialist and technical knowledge in fire safety which will be overseen by a Fire Safety Manager.

This role will involve engaging with various partners and business owners to lead and support people to lawfully resolve regulatory fire safety matters, ensuring compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. You will also be responsible for educating businesses and fire teams, ensuring shared understanding of risks. You will carry out consultations, inspection and audit regimes, follow up visits, and decide on appropriate enforcement levels based on audit outcomes.

A typical day in this important role will see the Business Fire Safety Inspector assessing risks and hazards associated with fire, evaluating measures in place to protect people and premises, influencing and supporting businesses to act on recommendations and, where appropriate, reporting breaches and taking required enforcement actions.

You will need to be able to demonstrate a calm, confident and resilient approach to sometimes unpredictable, challenging or dangerous situations while maintaining respect for others.

Shortlisting Criteria

This role will require you to be flexible, respond positively to change and be prepared for continuous learning and professional development throughout your career. The regulations governing the fire safety aspects of buildings are frequently evolving and you will need to ensure that you keep up to date. A reasonable level of physical fitness and mobility is necessary as you will be required to inspect multiple areas of a building and take equipment with you to carry out your role. This can also include walking around the surrounding areas as well as reviewing a building internally.

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety
• Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety, or working towards this
• Knowledge of regulation or enforcement of fire safety legislation or similar
• Health and Safety qualifications and/or experience
• Experience in the fire safety arena or delivery of fire safety linked activities
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent report writing skills
• Ability to work effectively with technology and competence with basic software and IT equipment
• People and team leadership skills, as the role will offer opportunities to lead Advisors or Business Education Officers

If successful further training and qualifications will be provided to enhance and support your development.

Application Questions (300 words max per answer):

1. Please describe a time when you have led, engaged and motivated others, both within the Fire Service and externally, (please describe one situation where you have had to engage with both)
2. Please describe your understanding of Fire Safety in the Workplace
3. Please provide an example of where you have been open and flexible towards change, and lead participation in devising solutions to problems
4. Please provide an example of where you have displayed a proactive approach to work and how you achieve a consistently high standard of work
5. Please provide an example of when you have experienced conflict at work with a member of the public, or someone from another organisation, and explain how you managed this conflict

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. To arrange an informal discussion please contact Dawn St Leger by email at Dawn.St- or Rob Jenks at .

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 23rd August 2025 with shortlisting being completed the week commencing 25th August 2025. Interviews will take place after the week commencing 1st September 2025.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.