Fire Risk Inspection Team Lead

Being a part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service 

Everyone is unique. Everyone has value. Everyone helps to make Kent Fire and Rescue Service a great place to work. We are one team. Together with our customers we are creating a safer future for Kent and Medway.

Being a Fire Risk Inspection Team Lead

As a Fire Risk Inspection Team Lead you will be responsible for the delivery of local and countywide targeted regulatory work in support of the Integrated Engagement and Risk-Based Intervention Programme (RBIP), including completing regulatory inspections and leading on formal enforcement, investigation and prosecution work.  

The post holder will be required to support the Fire Risk Inspection Team Manager by being responsible for the day-to-day running of a Fire Risk Inspection Office, consisting or 1 Senior Inspector and up to 8 Inspectors.

This position will also require you to undertake the role of Duty Fire Safety Manager (DFSM) including being on the rota outside of core hours.  This function is to provide advice and guidance to operational crews as well as respond to out of hours alleged risk s and complete enforcement activity.

What you’ll do

• Lead and support a team of Inspectors, by managing workload, providing feedback and direction to achieve team and organisational objectives.
• You will be accountable for the performance and professional standards of the Fire Risk Inspection Office, including oversight and quality assurance across all regulatory building safety activities.
• Support the risk-based intervention programme in completing High Risk Inspections and mentoring other inspectors in their regulatory inspections to achieve the RBIP.
• Contribute to continuous department and organisation improvement through feedback, learning, and sharing of best practice across the service.
• Lead on an office enforcement activity though investigation and prosecution case building work with the Enforcement team.  
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders within the team office area, including Local Authorities, Building Control bodies, Approved Inspectors, our KFRS Operational teams, Risk Information and Fire Engineering Teams as well as Community Safety teams.
• Engage proactively with the Kent business community to promote fire safety best practice, encouraging the adoption of compliant, practical, and resilient safety solutions that support effective business operations.

What you’ll bring

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of current fire safety legislation, regulatory compliance, and relevant fire safety British Standards.
• Practical experience in the application of risk assessment methodologies, particularly within the context of fire safety regulation and compliance.
• Knowledge of the diverse business communities across the Kent and Medway area, with a clear understanding of their operating context, including the commercial, environmental, and political pressures they face.
• Working knowledge and practical application of relevant HR policies and procedures, such as supporting management and supporting performance processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in engaging a wide range of audiences, sometimes in challenging situations.
• Awareness of current national issues and developments in fire safety, including engagement with relevant discussion forums and bodies such as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
• Exceptional organisational skills, capable of managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• A commitment to personal and professional development, continuous improvement, and public service excellence.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Demonstrated proficiency in English and Maths at Level 2 (Functional Skills or equivalent).
• Holds a minimum of a Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety (or equivalent), obtained through a competency-based framework for Business Fire Safety Regulators.
• Hold additional Fire Safety Qualifications, such as BB100 and HTM, or be willing to achieve this with 24 months.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification, or be willing to achieve this with 12 months.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Experience of working collaboratively across teams and with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and experience in a related field such as fire safety, building safety, or a regulatory role.
• Registered on the Contextualised Auditors Register (CAR) in line with national competency requirement for fire safety regulators, or be willing to achieve this with 24 months.

Benefits

• Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Blue Light Card discount scheme supported by a number of high street retailers
• A range of family friendly policies including promoting work-life balance
• Access to health and wellbeing services and advice
• Access to LinkedIn learning online training
• Free parking
• Above all you’ll become part of a service that is committed to the safety of our community

How to apply

Please complete an on-line application form and CV by midnight on 24th October 2025.

Interviews will take place on 10th, 11th and 12th November. A presentation will form part of the interview.

Any queries, please contact the Kent Fire & Rescue Service Talent Acquisition team by e-mail at: [email protected]

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We know that great minds don’t think alike, so we rely on diverse thoughts, feelings, beliefs and backgrounds to create the best working environment that we can possibly offer.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, its employees and volunteers, are committed to safeguarding, protecting and supporting children, young people and adults at risk. As part of our safer recruitment process, we will undertake pre-employment checks to verify your suitability for the role. These checks will include your references and a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Enhanced DBS check with barred lists are carried out for roles with direct and unsupervised access to children, young people and adults at risk. Risk assessments will be undertaken on any disclosures identified as part of the pre-employment checks.

As a Public Sector organisation with added responsibilities under the Equality Act, 2010 the candidate must demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how this fits in with their everyday work.