Fire Safety Adviser

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 21 January 2024
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Fire Safety Professional to join our busy and highly professional health and safety team. The work environment at this research-intensive Russell Group university is diverse, challenging and highly rewarding. You will deliver a broad spectrum of competent Fire Safety support, training and advice to research, teaching and service colleagues. Therefore evidence of stakeholder management skills are key.
To be successful in this role you will be highly driven with excellent inter-personal and communication skills. We need you to bring with you experience of undertaking fire risk assessment and providing effective Fire Safety advice to people at all organisation levels in line with current legislation. Fire safety engineering skills will be an advantage.
If this sounds like you, please reach out to Chris Walton, Head of OHSS by email .
To apply, please upload your CV and letter of application which outlines evidence in relation to how your skills, experience and knowledge align to the person specification below.
We are currently working with a hybrid approach to on site working and home based and we can support candidates with relocation support from outside of the region.
Key Accountabilities

• Working as part of a team, to provide competent, solutions orientated health and safety advice, support and guidance to University colleagues, postgraduate students and others
• On behalf of the Head and/or Deputy Head of OHSS, to advise and assist Faculty, Service and Unit managers (including Technical Managers, Principal Investigators and Heads of Units) so as to enable them to meet their statutory obligations and the relevant University health and safety management standards
• Develop Fire Safety management standards and guidance
• Attend and contribute to meetings of the relevant Faculty Health & Safety Committees and other committees/working groups, as appropriate
• Monitor and report on the implementation of health and safety policy and management systems through fire risk assessments and inspections; and provide effective and proportionate recommendations for addressing any shortcomings
• Develop, update, facilitate and deliver Fire Safety training courses
• Investigate significant fire incidents, ensure the necessary recording of information, compile comprehensive reports, identify root causes and ensure the appropriate follow up action is implemented
• Advise and support colleagues and students in the development and implementation of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for disabled persons
• To be the lead contact for enforcement authorities including Fire and Rescue Service Officers and local authority Building Control Officers
• Consult with Estates and Facilities (E&F) for capital works, repairs and improvements
• Participate in the development and update of University health and safety management standards and guidance on a project basis
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders across the University
• Maintain a professional and efficient response to customers to ensure needs are met and the University’s reputation is enhanced
• Maintain membership of relevant professional organisations and to update and maintain personal Fire Safety competence through continuing professional development
• Reasonable availability out of hours (not on call) to support the Head of OHSS and other colleagues in OHSS in responding to a major (albeit very infrequent) University level health and safety emergency incident
• On occasions visit remote, off-site locations (e.g. farms, marina facilities, etc.). For these purposed the post-holder must have a valid driving licence and access to a car or suitable transportations as agreed with the Head of OHSS

The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience and knowledge of Fire Safety, including the associated UK legislative and enforcement system and best practice
• Demonstrable track record as a professional in Fire Safety
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development throughout career
• Accredited fire risk assessor registered with the IFE or similar or be in a position to achieve this within 6 months
• Significant experience as a Fire Safety trainer or directly supporting the work of trainers
• Ability to carry out fire risk assessments and Fire Safety inspections
• Ability to understand and comment on plan drawings and other technical documentation for new building and refurbishment work
• Ability to develop Fire Safety plans for buildings

Attributes and Behaviour

• Uses clear, concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encourages a two way communication process
• Persuades, convinces and influences others in order to achieve results and gain support
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
• Generates a range of viable options and decides on an appropriate course of action that best fits organisational and area goals

Qualifications

• CFPA Diploma or equivalent. Attendance on Fire Service College modules, Fire Protection Association courses, or similar, will also be considered
• As a minimum a Level 4 in Fire Safety or equivalent qualification
• Graduate Membership of leading Fire Safety professional institute

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26589
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