Principal Officer Recruitment

Assistant Chief Fire Officer

Following a significant period of change and a recent inspection from HMICFRS, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, under the governance of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is on a journey to protect our communities and prioritise our people. The future brings the chance to innovate, integrate and do things differently, and we are looking for individuals who are focused on delivering outstanding leadership in a trusted and professional service. 

We are delighted to be recruiting for two Assistant Chief Fire Officers on a permanent basis. At a time of ongoing review across the sector, it has never been more important to ensure we have the right people in the right roles.  The successful applicants will be joining an engaging and empowering environment where we are dedicated to improving outcomes and driving our services forward to be the very best they can be. 

For us, working with compassion, honesty and integrity is essential. You will listen and engage with staff across the service ensuring all are able to contribute and have a voice.  You will champion a fair, respectful culture that prioritises staff development and well-being. We are looking for leaders who will drive forward key EDI strategies across our communities and teams, leading by personal example, open commitment, and clear action. You will build on our existing open and inclusive culture to seek continual improvement and be dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.  

With approximately 600 operational firefighters, front facing delivery teams, corporate services and support staff delivering services across the county from 38 Fire stations, we expect you will be a resilient, visionary leader. You will need to be a strong communicator who can motivate through challenges, identify and seize opportunities, and deliver our vision with passion and sincerity. Our service delivers a wide range of prevention, protection and support across a substantial geographical area. We are looking for someone who is as passionate about the communities as we are.  

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce that not only reflects our communities in Cumbria but thrives from the benefit and innovation a diverse workforce can bring. We actively encourage applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. As women and ethnic minority employees are currently underrepresented in our management roles we encourage applications from these groups. 

Salary: £117,643 (inclusive of the 10% duty allowance and the budgeted 2025/26 pay award)

Access to a Service Vehicle 

We ask that applicants read all the information included on this web page, and within our recruitment pack, and if you have any queries, please contact Orlanda Wright, our Resourcing, Talent and Wellbeing Lead, via email: Orlanda.wright@cumbriafire.gov.uk 

The recruitment pack includes information about our service, living in/relocating to Cumbria and links to key documents.  

ACFO Recruitment Pack 2025 - linked here (pdf file)

ACFO Role Profile - linked here (WORD)

How to apply 

To apply for this process, candidates must: 

• Contact our Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock for a brief, informal discussion about the role(s). This can be arranged by emailing Ann-Marie Sarginson and sharing your availability for a twenty-minute call. This should be done preferably before week commencing 12th May 2025.  
  Please contact Ann-Marie via email: Ann-Marie.Sarginson@cumbriafire.gov.uk    
• Submit an up-to-date CV.  
• Submit Supporting Information detailing why they are a suitable candidate for the role in no more than 3 pages of A4. Candidates are advised to refer to the Role Profile (linked below) when completing this.  

ACFO Role Profile (WORD) - linked here

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 18th May 2025. If you have any accessibility issues, please contact Orlanda Wright via email: Orlanda.wright@cumbriafire.gov.uk   

We have guidance in place to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process including consideration of reasonable adjustments. 

Please see the below policies linked for further information on our Resourcing and Talent processes: 

Resourcing and Talent Policy (WORD) 

Resourcing and Talent Guidance (WORD) 

Guaranteed Interview Scheme 

CFRS has a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for those whose most recent employer is the Armed Forces, for care leavers, and for disabled candidates. The scheme is linked below and there is a specific section of our application form where you can mark if you consider yourself eligible. We encourage candidates to let us know so we can provide the best support and access throughout the process. 
 

Reasonable Adjustments 

We strongly encourage any candidate who may require reasonable adjustments to make us aware as soon as possible either using the section on the application form or by contacting the Resourcing Team directly (email below). We will have a confidential discussion with you.  We take the approach of ‘you tell us what you require, and we will do our best to facilitate’. Where we are unable to make the adjustment, we will share this as soon as possible. 
Resourcing Team email: Recruitment@cumbriafire.gov.uk    

Our Service 

With approximately 600 operational firefighters, front facing delivery teams, corporate services and support staff delivering services across the county from 38 fire stations we know we need to be a modern, flexible and inclusive employer. 

We offer: 

• Flexible working across the county, including a hybrid of homeworking and office working at one of our wholetime stations
• Free parking at our fire stations
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car Loan Scheme
• Access to station gyms, free of charge
• Enrolment in either the Fire Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (depending on your terms and conditions) - link to the Pensions page here
• Occupational Health service, including counselling
• Close working relationship with the Firefighters Charity, including mental and physical health support
• A dedicated Wellbeing Hub – linked here
• On-going personal development including apprenticeship options and leadership courses
• Access to modern ICT equipment
• Family friendly policies, including 45 weeks full pay for Parental Leave
• Menopause Policy - link here (Word document)
• Support for carers
• Workplace adjustments for Neurodiverse and disabled employees
• Staff Networks for a variety of different communities, including (but not limited to) Armed Forces, LGBTQ+, Menopause, Retirees) 

Our Service is passionate about the communities we serve and dedicated to developing our workforce - if you're looking to progress in an inclusive, supportive and dynamic fire and rescue service we would like to hear from you! 

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our communities in Cumbria.

We actively encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. 

We capture equality data on our application forms to help us review barriers in our processes for any minority group. This is optional to complete and is securely removed and accessed only by the Resourcing Team to review.

Resourcing Team email: Recruitment@cumbriafire.gov.uk    

Pension Information  

Please note, if you have been employed as an operational firefighter and are in receipt of a firefighter’s pension your pension may be abated if you are appointed. Abatement will occur if your pension plus your new salary adds up to more than your previous salary upon retirement – further details can be provided on request. It’s also worth noting that you may also be affected by HMRC rules and should check with the HMRC to see if this applies to you. 

Our Vision and Values

Our Vision

A community-focussed, professional, and trusted Fire and Rescue Service that makes Cumbria a safer place for all.

Our Values

We believe passionately in the delivery of excellent public services to make Cumbria a safer place for all. To do that we need to be clear about the values and behaviours that we need to drive change and achieve our high standards.