An opportunity has arisen for substantive, competent wholetime Watch Managers (WM) currently employed by West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (WYFRS) to apply to enrol onto the Station Manager Development and Promotions process. The development programme is designed to ensure that (WYFRS) can identify, assess and select the best possible performing candidates. In addition, the process will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and have access to equality of development and promotion opportunities.
As part of this process, a development programme will be utilised to ensure that our people have the opportunity to develop the right skills, knowledge, behaviours and understanding in order to competently perform the role.
Following an induction, successful candidates will embark on a development programme that will prepare them for the step up into the unique and key organisational role of WYFRS Station Manager.
Eligibility
Individuals applying for development must:
- Be currently employed by WYFRS
- Be a substantive and competent Watch Manager
- Hold and maintain all qualifications required for their current role.
- Have completed and maintained all role related courses within the required refresher periods.
- Have no current/outstanding development action plans, performance improvement action plans or capability issues related to competency
- Be free of current formal disciplinary awards throughout the entire process
- Have completed an Annual Review (AR) in the last 12 months, with no concerns captured and that you wish to be considered for promotion/development.
- Line manager has completed a Talent Assessment within the Annual Review system showing potential for promotion.
- Possess, IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Engineering and Science OR a Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety.
- Possess, IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Service Operations
We are an organisation where everyone is encouraged, trusted, and supported to play their part in promoting safety and wellbeing across all communities in West Yorkshire. We are looking for candidates who are committed to our vision of making West Yorkshire safer and who demonstrate the values of team, responsibility, integrity, communication and learn.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, BAME and applicants with disabilities.
All applicants should make themselves aware of the FF-SM Development and Promotion Policy.
The selection process will comprise of:
- Identifying potential / Application form
- Pre-Development (Phase 1)
- Selection process for promotion
- Formal Appointment
- Phase 2 and 3 of the Development Portfolio
- Competent in role sign off.
1: Identifying potential / Application form
Annual Review
Applicants must have completed an Annual Review (AR) in the last 12 months, with no concerns captured and that you wish to be considered for promotion/development and their Line manager must completed a Talent Assessment within the Annual Review showing potential for promotion.
Application Form
Applicants must complete and submit an online application form using the e-recruitment system which will require them to detail how they meet all the essential criteria for the role as detailed in the Experience (criterion 1-9) and Special Knowledge and Skills (criterion 17-24) sections of the Person Specification.
Applicants should write a maximum of 300 words for each criterion detailed on the personnel specification.
Shortlisting
Following the closing date, submitted application forms will be forwarded to the Shortlisting Panel for consideration. All applicants will be advised via email as to whether or not they have been successfully shortlisted.
2: Pre-Development
During the pre-development stage Internal pathway candidates are required to complete phase 1 of the development programme which must be completed within 6 months.
3: Selection process for promotion
CPG Career Progression Gateway
Career Progression Gateway (CPG) is an online assessment that evaluates performance, knowledge, skills and behaviours. Applicants will be assessed and graded (Pass or Fail). The CPG will consist of 2 online exercises:
- The case study exercise
In this timed exercise, applicants receive various pieces of information along with clear task guidelines. They must read the provided information and type their responses, which may include writing an email or article, drafting a proposal and recommendation, or conducting an analysis, strategy, and initiative, all within free text boxes during the allotted time.
- The role-play exercise
Applicants have a set time to read the scenario information before an assessor calls them via video. The role-play begins and is timed from the moment the candidate answers the call.
Operational Command Assurance
Applicants will be assessed and graded (Pass or Fail) against Skills for Justice Intermediate Incident Command scoring criteria. However, prior to this assessment taking place, development opportunities will be available for all successful shortlisted candidates.
HR will confirm sessions available to all applicants. However, any attendance on this development session is voluntary.
Interview and Presentation
Applicants will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation, of which the title will be given beforehand and a 60 minute interview.
4: Formal Appointments
Successful applicants will be held on a successful applicant list in merit order and will be offered a promotion role, applicable to that promotion process rank, as soon as a suitable vacancy arises.
5: Substantive (Development) roles
Successful applicants that are offered and accept a promotion role will be paid at development rate of pay and required to complete Phase 2 and 3 of the development programme, with competent pay awarded on successful completion of the development pack and all associated courses.
6: Competent in role sign off.
On completion of phase 2 and 3 of the development pack, Learning and Development team will review the pack and subject to the quality and range of evidence provided being sufficient, the pack will be signed off and the candidate deemed competent in role, at which point competent pay will be awarded and the candidates role made substantive.
Timeline
- Applications close: Midnight 21/07/25
- Shortlisting: W/C 28/07/25
- Internal portfolio induction phase 1 open W/C 21/07/25
- External applications open W/C 01/12/25
- External applications close Midnight 13/01/26
- External shortlisting W/C 12/01/26
- Internal portfolio closed W/C 19/01/26
- Pathway Online CPG: W/C 26/01/26
- Command Input and Development: W/C 26/01/26
- Intermediate Command Assurance: W/C 02/02/26
- Management Paper review and Interview: W/C 09/02/26
- Candidate Feedback W/C 23/02/26
WYFRS are committed to having an inclusive and diverse workforce, if you feel you require any reasonable adjustments to participate within this recruitment process, please contact our HR Team at Applications@westyorksfire.gov.uk
The closing date for internal applications will be midnight on Sunday 20th July 2025.
All offers of employment will be subject to a skills gap analysis, references, medical, fitness test, Disclosure and Barring Service check and pre-employment checks.
For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact:
AM Scott Donegan - scott.donegan01@westyorksfire.gov.uk
AM Toby May - toby.may01@westyorksfire.gov.uk
AM Dave Teggart - dave.teggart@westyorksfire.gov.uk
Click here for Additional Guidance on our new E-recruitment System
All correspondence will usually be sent to your email account registered with the online recruitment system rather than by letter. Please check your email account regularly.
If after reading all of this information, you are interested in applying, please read the documents listed above for more details and click on 'Apply' for the application form.
Please note we do not accept CVs. If you are viewing this vacancy on ‘jobsindeed’ or other external platform, please be advised this vacancy is only open to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service employees.
For recruitment queries please contact Applications@westyorksfire.gov.uk