- Suffolk County Council - Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid
- Salary: £34,434 - £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a Resilience Officer to join our Risk and Resilience Team.
In this varied role, you will play a key part in ensuring operational preparedness and resilience. Working collaboratively with various departments and external partners, you will help maintain robust business continuity and emergency response plans. You’ll also be part of a supportive, proactive environment committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
Your role and responsibilities
As the Resilience Officer, you will play a pivotal role in developing, managing, and enhancing our Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). You will work closely with managers across the service and Suffolk County Council providing subject matter expertise and guidance.
In addition, you will help maintain robust multiagency arrangements for civil contingencies and emergency response on behalf of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. This includes developing and testing emergency and continuity plans, as well as delivering training and exercises.
You will also contribute to the wider work of the Risk and Resilience Team as needed.
Here’s a glimpse into what your typical week will look like;
- Develop, review, and maintain SFRS and partner agency emergency response and business continuity plans, ensuring compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and relevant standards.
- Support the development and delivery of the SFRS business continuity framework, providing advice and guidance to internal departments on business continuity management and resilience best practice.
- Act as a key user and administrator of Resilience Direct, supporting document management, planning coordination, and information sharing during incidents and exercises.
- Coordinate, plan, and support Suffolk’s contribution to the National Resilience capability, ensuring readiness, training, and effective deployment of specialist resources in line with national standards and multi-agency requirements.
- Coordinate, plan and support multi-agency exercises, debriefs, and training events to test preparedness and identify improvements.
- Contribute to incident debriefs, lessons identified processes, and the continuous improvement of resilience arrangements across Suffolk.
- Maintain up-to-date awareness of relevant guidance, legislation, and frameworks
- Build and sustain effective working relationships with stakeholders across the Local Resilience Forum, including emergency services, local authorities, health, voluntary organisations, and government agencies.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all resilience planning, exercises, and training to support audit, reporting, and continuous improvement.
You will need
- Level 5 qualification (e.g. HNC, NVQ4, or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as public safety, risk management, emergency planning, business continuity, or resilience.
- Evidence of relevant professional training in emergency planning, resilience, or business continuity (e.g. short courses or modules from Emergency Planning College, JESIP, or equivalent).
- Certification in Business Continuity Management (e.g. CBCI, ISO 22301).
- Project or programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner).
- Detailed understanding of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and related legislation
- Ability to design, deliver and facilitate training packages, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail, with a passion for creating and maintaining efficient and effective processes and procedures.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Risk & Resilience Team at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service plays a vital role in safeguarding communities by leading the Service’s preparedness, planning, and response to major emergencies. Working at the heart of local and regional resilience, the team coordinates civil contingency planning, business continuity, risk analysis, and multi-agency collaboration through the Suffolk Resilience Forum. Combining strategic insight with operational readiness, the team ensures Suffolk is equipped to face threats ranging from severe weather and pandemics to cyber incidents and major incidents, helping to protect life, property, and the environment.
Our team culture is built on collaboration, communication, and trust. We thrive on working closely together, combining our collective knowledge and expertise to ensure that all aspects of risk and resilience information are accurately captured and effectively managed.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility, and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk).
For more information
If you have any questions about the role and your suitability, please contact, Gary Smith by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07754 448450.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Complete the Supporting Statement template indicating how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role (refer to the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP)
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 24 August 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
