Retained Supervisory Managers

The Background

Hampshire Fire and Rescue is committed to harmonising the recruitment, development and promotion of all firefighters using the nationally agreed Integrated Personal Development System. The process was standardised in April 2006 by the implementation of the National Assessment Development Centre toolbox which was developed and trialled over the last few years in several fire service regions.

The main aim of the Assessment and Development Centre is to identify a candidate’s potential to be developed to the next role, not to assess current competence. Once potential has been assessed the successful candidate will be given a comprehensive development programme. This will reflect prior experience and qualifications and allow the individual to acquire the skills and knowledge to perform their new role.

Once potential has been assessed and promotion has taken place then an individual will be given a comprehensive Development Programme to allow them to acquire the skills and knowledge to perform their new role, prior to assessing that they are then performing competently, to National Occupational Standards in their new role.

To test a Firefighters potential for development a set of Personal Qualities and Attributes have been developed and all tests of potential and all Assessment, Development or Selection tools will be based on these and these alone.

Promotion within the Retained service is by testing for potential against the Supervisory Manager PQAs.

The full list of PQAs are:

Commitment to Diversity and Integrity – embraces and values diversity and demonstrates a fair and ethical approach in all situations
Openness to change – proactively supports change, adjusting approach to meet changing requirements
Confidence and Resilience – maintains a confident, controlled and focused attitude
Working with Others – leads, involves and motivates others both within the Fire & Rescue Service and in the community
Effective Communication – communicates effectively both orally and in writing
Commitment to Development – committed and able to develop self, individuals, teams and others, to improve organisational effectiveness
Problem Solving – understands and applies relevant information to make appropriate decisions and create practical solutions
Situational Awareness - maintains an active awareness of the environment to promote safe and effective working
Commitment to Excellence – Leads others to achieve excellence by the establishment, maintenance and management of performance requirements
Planning and Implementing – creates and implements effective team plans in line with organisational objectives

View the National Firefighter Selection Personal Qualities and Attributes in more detail.(pdf)

The Process

Applications will be invited from all candidates who can meet the criteria for a known or anticipated vacancy.

Structured Interviews will be scheduled which will feature questions on all of the PQA areas with the candidate being asked to provide actual examples of when they have demonstrated that Personal Quality or Attribute. Answers will be assessed against the PQAs , with the net result being that a candidate is successful or is unsuccessful. To be successful a candidate must show their potential with a satisfactory example in every PQA area.

There will not be any drillground assessment for either Crew or Watch Managers.

The process will be managed by the Station Manager, HR Workforce Planning.

Application Form

Expressions of Interest should be returned to your OIC/Station Support Officer who will forward it onto your Group Manager and HR Workforce Planning.

Successful candidates will be appointed into the Development stage of their new role. They will receive the Development rate of pay and will be given a Development Programme. The issuing, monitoring and completion of that programme, and the assessment of competence prior to passing on to the Competent rate of pay will be managed by the Training Function.