Current vacancies

On-Call firefighter

How can I find out more about the On-Call firefighter role?

Take a look at the information on the Becoming an On-Call firefighter webpage. Check your postcode is within a recruiting area – if it is, please register your interest in the form. We will contact you for a chat about the role and we’ll invite you to a recruitment session, which are arranged to give anyone interested more information about the role, the selection process and the organisation. Sessions last approximately 2 hours.

Have a look through the Crew Stories of some of our current On-Call firefighters.

Please be aware that those newly appointed to the role of an On-Call firefighter will be required to undertake a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and this will be carried out as part of the recruitment process. 

Those newly appointed to the role of On-Call firefighter will be required to undertake a Social Media screening check. This will be carried out during the pre employment checks stage of the recruitment process and will be arranged by the Recruitment Team.

If you have any questions regarding these checks please contact recruitment@hwfire.org.uk

Awareness / Recruitment Sessions:

Attending an On-Call Recruitment Session is the first stage in the recruitment process. You will visit a local fire station where the role will be explained in greater detail. There will be current serving On-Call firefighters as well as On-Call Support Officers on hand to answer any questions you may have.

You will receive a presentation on the requirements of the role as well as the benefits you can expect from joining Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

Following the presentation there will be the opportunity to become familiar with and have a go at the National Firefighter Selection Tests. These are the physical job-related tests that will need to be completed further on in the recruitment process. You can look at videos of Selection Tests here. To take part we advise you to wear suitable sports and footwear.

To find out more about how on-call works, please see our FAQs.

Watch Commander and Crew Commander

Salary: In line with NJC Grey Book pay scales
Contract: Full time, permanent plus pension and benefits
Location: Various locations across the HWFRS boundary

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is pleased to invite applications for the supervisory roles of Crew and Watch Commander. HWFRS is a forward thinking and dynamic organisation looking for talented, positive and inspirational individuals to join our team across locations stretching east to west from the Cotswolds to the mid-Wales border, and from the Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve in the north, to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the south – with the Malvern Hills AONB right at the heart of the two counties.

Our stations are crewed by a mix of Wholetime and On-Call Firefighters, supported by Fire Control staff and Support Staff.  We attend just over 6,500 incidents each year – more than 125 incidents every week – including property and countryside fires, RTCs and water and animal rescues, sometimes assisted by our USAR colleagues.

Eligibility to apply

In order to apply, you must meet the following criteria at the point of application:

• Be a UK Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service Wholetime or On-Call employee;
•  Be competent in role below that to which you are applying;
•  Be eligible to live and work in the UK without restrictions;
• Have had an appraisal in the last 12 months;
• Not have any live formal disciplinary sanctions;
• Not be in a formal capability process;
• Be medically fit to undertake the role (current fitness test and 3 yearly medical).

Positions are available in a variety of functional and station-based roles with a variety of duty systems on offer.  Duty systems include the 7 day Flexi-Time System (42 Hour Day Duty), 12-Hour Day Duty System, Day Crewing Duty System and Wholetime 224 Duty System.

Please see the individual adverts for both of these processes for further details and to apply :

Wholetime Crew Commander– Apply here

Wholetime Watch Commander – Apply here

Please see the Crew and Watch Commander job descriptions and person specifications for further information about the role – these are attached to the bottom of the online advert pages. If you are eligible, and wish to apply to both roles, you must complete a separate application for each process. Please note, these positions are subject to an enhanced level DBS check. 

Selection process for both roles

• Online application form
• Case Study assessment
• Role play assessment
• Interview 
• Incident Command assessment (where appropriate)
• Fitness test
• Medical assessment
•  Pre-employment checks

Shortlisting shall take place following the application stage as detailed within the candidate guidance document.  

Successful external candidates will be required to attend a conversion course training programme.

If you have any questions regarding the process or you are experiencing any difficulties with your application, please contact the Recruitment team via recruitment@hwfire.org.uk before the closing date.

HWFRS values equality of opportunity and developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community.  We encourage everyone who has the necessary skills and experience to apply. 

Applications Open: Monday 6^th January 2025

Application Close: Monday 27th January 2025  at 12:00 noon (midday)

The successful applicant will be subject to pre-employment checks including a standard DBS check and a social media screening check. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

For any further queries regarding the role, please contact Recruitment at recruitment@hwfire.org.uk before the closing date.