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Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander)
We are seeking to appoint an Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander) with the drive, enthusiasm and leadership capability required of a strategic leader in a modern fire service. The successful candidate will help us to deliver our core strategies and lead our workforce.
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On this page you can read more about becoming an Assistant Director (Operational Area Commander) with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the recruitment process.
About the role
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate they have the skills and abilities to deliver our strategic objectives, uphold and champion our core values, and lead others in a variety of environments.
The role will form part of our Strategic Leadership Board (SLB), providing strategic leadership and support to the Principal Officers in the overall coordination of the Service. This includes change management, staff development, delivery of organisational strategy and transformation, effective industrial relations and exploring opportunities for collaboration with partners to support efficiency and effectiveness.
HWFRS strives to deliver organisational and operational excellence in everything it does, requiring all strategic leaders to champion our core values and constantly seek efficiency, effectiveness and accountability across our highly motivated workforce.
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further information on the main duties and responsibilities of the post and our core values.
Applications are open now until 25th September 2026:
Criteria
To apply, you must meet the following criteria at the point of application:
- Be a competent UK Local Authority Group Commander or role above.
- Be able to demonstrate previous or current competence at Levels 1, 2 & 3 command.
- Pass a Level 3 Command Assessment if not already held.
- Pass a Level 4 Command Assessment if not already held.
- Be eligible to live and work in the UK without restrictions.
- Have had an appraisal in the last 12 months, unless not applicable to your organisation.
- Not have any live formal disciplinary sanctions or history of serious misconduct.
- Should not have been dismissed by another Fire and Rescue Service on the grounds of serious misconduct or capability.
- Must be able to pass all relevant and required vetting processes.
- Not be in a formal capability process.
- Be medically fit to undertake the role, and pass the medical and annual fitness test.
Key employment information
Salary
The salary scale for an Area Commander (B) is in line with NJC Grey Book pay scales plus an additional 20% flexi duty allowance. Area Commanders are required to work a locally agreed Area Commander rota pattern, which sits outside of the current NJC National Conditions of Service. In recognition of this additional requirement and responsibility, a further 9.6% pay enhancement is awarded. On appointment, you will normally be placed on development rate of pay unless you can demonstrate that you have already achieved competence within the role.
Hours of Work
You will be assigned to a locally agreed Area Commander operational rota. This is currently a three-week duty pattern, consisting of one 24-hour duty for a 7-day period (Monday to Monday), followed by two weeks of working for nine hours per day flexibly (Monday to Friday). You may also need to work evenings and weekends, as required, and an Area Commander should be available for recall to duty at any reasonable time. Your leave group will be notified to you by your line manager. Leave groups and duty patterns may be subject to ongoing review in order to meet the demands of HWFRS.
Vehicle
Flexi duty officers are provided with a car for Service duties. Individuals can elect to use this vehicle for personal use; however, this may be subject to tax implications.
Annual Leave and Public Holidays
Your leave entitlement is as follows 35 days at Scale A, 2 days at Scale B and 3 days of Long Service Leave. You are also entitled to eight public holidays each year and two concessionary days.
Terms and Conditions
These are no less favourable than those enjoyed under the terms and conditions for Area Managers as agreed by the National Joint Council Scheme of Conditions of Service (Grey Book, 6th Edition).
Contract Status and Pension
Applicants applying for substantive promotion should be aware that any significant increase to your pensionable pay may attract additional tax payments under HMRC rules. Annual Allowance tax charges apply when the growth of the pension is estimated to be more than £60,000 annually although, unused allowance from previous years may offset any charges.
Further details can be found on the HMRC website at https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-your-private-pension/annual-allowance or by contacting the Pension Officer at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Politically Restricted
This post is deemed politically restricted in accordance with The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (LGHA 1989).
Additional Benefits
- A rewarding, varied career, with investment and support for personal and academic development.
- Relocation expenses, up to a maximum of £12,000.
- Annual CPD payment for maintaining competence.
- Training, development and career progression opportunities.
- Flexible working patterns.
- Access to fitness facilities, and health and wellbeing services and advice.
- Opportunities to work in a range of workplaces and locations across the two counties.
- To be part of a Service that is committed to making a difference every day.
General Responsibilities
We expect all our employees to perform their duties in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, Code of Conduct and other policies designed to protect employees and service users from discrimination and harassment. It is the duty of all our employees to actively promote equality, encourage a workplace culture of inclusivity and not to act in an unlawfully prejudicial or discriminatory manner towards others.
Safeguarding
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
The selection process
1. Application
- Completion of an online application form.
2. Shortlisting
- This will take place following the application stage and candidates will be notified of outcomes by email.
3. Selection
- Submission of a Briefing Exercise paper.
- Completion of an Assessment Day.
- An Interview Day.
- Completion of an Level 4 (and 3) Incident Command Assessment, as necessary.
- A fitness test and medical assessment.
- Pre-employment checks which include security clearance vetting and Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.
All communication during the process will be sent to the email address provided by you on your application form so please check this is correct when completing your application form. Please ensure you keep your contact details updated and that you regularly check your email account and spam folder.
Further information and guidance regarding the selection process can be found in the Candidate Pack.
Applications are open now until 25th September 2026:
The recruitment timeline
4th September 2026
Applications open
25th September 2026
Applications close
W/C 28th September 2026
Shortlisting
5th October 2026
Briefing Exercise Issued
19th October 2026
Briefing Exercise Closing Date
22nd October 2026
Assessment Day
23rd October 2026
Interview Day
The scheduling of the selection process involves a number of resources. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment dates, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Have a question or query?
Interested candidates are welcome to meet or discuss the role with CFO Jonathon Pryce KFSM and arrange a visit to HWFRS. This can be arranged by emailing Lisa Colenutt: lcolenutt@hwfire.org.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or your application form, please contact our Recruitment team via email: recruitment@hwfire.org.uk.