Organisational Development Specialist

Summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has an exciting opportunity for an Organisational Development Specialist to enhance our People Services team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. You'll join us on a 12-month fixed term contract working 37 hours per week, in return you will receive a competitive salary of £37,035.00 - £39,513.00 (gross) per annum. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide, prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset. 

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce. 

About the role:

Are you passionate about people development and driving change in the emergency sector? Do you have the expertise to support the growth and transformation of an organisation that makes a real difference in communities? 

We're looking for an Organisational Development Specialist for a 12-month contract to join our dynamic team. In this exciting role you'll play a pivotal part in shaping and supporting our people and organisational development workstreams. 

What you'll do - 

• Work closely with leadership teams to enhance organisational performance and culture. 
• Lead and support key people development change and initiatives. 
• Drive the design and delivery of training programs that support both individual and team growth. 
• Collaborate with a passionate team to foster continuous improvement across the organisation. 
• Support the development and delivery of our People and Organisational Development Roadmap. 
• Have a person-centred approach considering equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. 

Find out more:

What we're looking for -

• Strong background in Organisational Development and People Development.
• Experience in leadership development, culture transformation, and supporting others through change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion engagement and principles.
• A proactive, innovative mindset with a passion for continuous learning

Why join us?

Be part of a dedicated team working on critical organisational change.

Help us build a stronger, more efficient service for our communities.

Competitive salary and benefits.

A unique opportunity to make a lasting impact in a high-profile, high-impact organisation.

If you are ready to take on a key role in shaping the future of our fire service and help us achieve our organisational goals, we want to hear from you!

Closing Date: 2359hrs Sunday 18 May 2025

We anticipate that shortlisting and interviews will take place early June 2025.

For more information, or for an informal discussion about the role, please contact Steve Huntington via shuntington@dsfire.gov.uk.

The successful candidate must, by commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.

How to apply:

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document detailing how you meet the following criteria taken from the Job Description and Person Specification. 

Application Criteria: 

Please tell us in no more than 500 words per heading your experience of the following elements of the job role: 

• Provide OD capability in designing, developing and delivering cultural improvements relating to Human and Organisational Performance, Cultural transformation and Psychological Safety. 
• Ensuring OD work aligns with all internal and external, local and national frameworks such as CRMP, People Strategy, HMICFRS, Fire Standards. 
• Design and deliver innovative solutions to organisational barriers relating to people, culture and EDI, in theme with Organisational actions and outcomes.
• Supporting the engagement and delivery of the 'People' element of strategic change and improvement programmes and People Strategy including providing advice and quality assurance for people impact assessments. 

To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document "Essential Criteria for my Organisational Development Specialist Application" for you to download and complete with your evidence of the above criteria. You can then upload this where requested when completing your application. 

Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received.  

Our values

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services' Safeguarding Policy. 

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response. 

As a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.