HR Business Partner

Summary

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are looking for an HR Business Partner to enhance our team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. You'll join us on a full-time, 6 month fixed term contract, and in return you will receive a competitive salary of £40,221 - £43,421 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.

As our HR Business Partner, you will provide an effective and efficient HR Operations service for DSFRS in relation to but not exclusively relating to Discipline & Grievance/Investigatory procedures, Stress Management, Sickness Absence Management, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Recruitment & Selection.

Find out more

Key responsibilities of the HR Business Partner:

• Providing advice and guidance on a wide range of HR related matters to managers and staff at all levels
• Providing objective fairness and equality at work advice in line with the Service values and equalities framework
• Working with the Occupational Health provider and other Service providers, as appropriate
• Providing welfare support including long term sickness meetings and terminations of employment
• Providing required support on local industrial relations issues and ensure liaison is maintained with appropriate members of the HR Department
• Compiling reports for performance management cases
• Liaising with Risk & Insurance and Health & Safety in relation to employee litigation claims
• Undertaking the role of Case Manager on discipline and grievance cases, providing support to managers and staff; in some instances to undertake the role of Investigating Officer
• Assisting with recruitment and selection activities for all employee categories within an agreed policy framework
• Managing the introduction of new HR initiatives as agreed and to provide HR perspective on Service wide projects
• Supporting the development of initiatives in the management development arena and to undertake the assessment of individuals
• Developing new HR policies and procedures and to review and revise existing policies and procedures to reflect changes within the Service and in line with legislative developments
• Maintaining professional knowledge by networking, attending training courses, benchmarking other Fire & Rescue Services and reviewing professional publications
• Providing mentoring, support and guidance through the Personal Development Review process and ensure all staff receive appropriate training and development to enable them to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently

What we are looking for in our HR Business Partner:

• Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development
• Proven ability to analyse, interpret and explain employment law to all levels of staff and to apply best practice in the Fire Service environment
• Significant generalist HR experience and experience of working within a Business Partner approach
• Substantial experience of dealing with complex HR issues, including Recruitment & Selection, Discipline & Grievance/Investigatory procedures, Stress Management, Sickness Absence Management, Performance Management and Employee Relations
• Proven ability to comprehend and participate in ‘change agenda’
• Proven analytical and Report/Policy writing skills
• Proven skills in communication, diplomacy and advocacy
• Excellent IT skills with proven ability to use computerised systems
• Excellent interpersonal/relationship skills with the ability to develop successful networks at all levels both within and external to Service
• Proven evidence of consultation and negotiation skills in an HR environment

Closing date: 23:59hrs on Thursday, 29 February 2024

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our HR Business Partner please click 'apply' today, we would love to hear from you.

You must be eligible to work in the UK.

How to apply:

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a supporting statement which evidences your experience and ability to do the following:

• To undertake the role of Case Manager on discipline and grievance cases, providing support to Managers and Staff; in some instances to undertake the role of Investigating Officer.
• To support the management of the sickness absence process to achieve Service performance targets.
• To provide welfare support including long term sickness meetings and terminations of employment.
• To provide required support on local industrial relations issues and ensure liaison is maintained with appropriate members of the HR Department.
• To provide advice and guidance on a wide range of HR related matters to Managers and Staff at all levels.

The evidence provided will be used to shortlist applications received. Please submit no more than 2000 words of evidence in total.

Our values

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.