Fire Safety Advisor

Newington, Kent
Historic Environment Scotland
Thank you for your interest in the post of Fire Safety Advisor with Historic Environment Scotland, based at Longmore House. This is a temporary 12 month appointment.

As a member of the Health and Safety Team you will be responsible for providing professional advice and support to over 1,500 staff in the organisation across a variety of directorates and teams including: administration, monument conservation and construction, research, retail and tourism, and inspection.

About us

We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment; a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We’re at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment, and addressing the impact of climate change on its future. We investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. We have a People Strategy, which is an overarching strategy to ensure we support and develop staff within the organisation.

Our Vision

Our vision is that Scotland’s historic environment is cherished, understood, shared and enjoyed with pride by everyone.

Our Priorities

• The historic environment makes a real difference to people’s lives

• The historic environment is looked after, protected and managed for the generations to come.

• The historic environment makes a broader contribution to the economy of Scotland and it’s people

• The historic environment inspires a creative and vibrant Scotland

• The historic environment is cared for and championed by a high performing organisation.

Overview of the post and information about the team

The Health, Fire and Safety team report to the Director of Corporate Services and are responsible for providing professional advice and support to over 1,000 staff in the Agency involved in administration, monument conservation and maintenance, technical research, commercial and tourism, and heritage management. The team encourage a positive safety culture.

The Fire Safety Adviser post will report directly to the Head of Health, Fire and Safety. The team encompasses 4 Health and Safety Advisers located in various locations around Scotland, and is temporarily supported by a Fire Safety consultant

Historic Environment Scotland’s estate is geographically diverse and incorporates a range of building types; offices, visitor attractions, work depots and residential. The Fire Safety Advisers will promote a consistent approach to fire safety management across the estate which will involve engaging with Agency colleagues within all directorates. The role requires a thorough knowledge of fire safety management and the fire risk assessment process and how to pragmatically apply these to heritage properties. Engagement with external stakeholders will also be required.

The post will primarily focus on conducting Fire Risk Assessments at properties throughout Scotland and will additionally be involved in supporting colleagues with the Scottish Fire & Rescue change regarding Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals a.k.a. the Call Challenge.

Key responsibilities, duties and objectives

• Promote awareness of fire safety legislation, internal policy and procedures, and good fire safety practice to all staff.

• Undertake fire safety risk assessments which consider both life safety and property protection. Produce comprehensive reports and Action Plans with prioritised remedial measures and appropriate timeframes. Assist staff to progress Action Plans.

• Ensure colleagues are aware of how to handle the SFRS Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) changes, and how this change affects HES sites.

• Develop monitoring arrangements to assess progress made against Fire Risk Assessment Action Plans.

• Demonstrate best practise in fire safety management within historic properties – raise staff awareness of principles and solutions identified within “Guide for Practitioners 7: Fire Safety Management in Traditional Buildings” to enable appropriate levels of provision of fire safety measures to be adopted at each site.

• Advise line managers, supervisors and staff on the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of fire safety arrangements.

• Ensure every site has a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan, for the safe evacuation of all occupants.

• Provide information, guidance, training and support for staff with dedicated fire safety management responsibilities.

• Provide information, instruction and training on the fire safety maintenance regime and test record requirements and sites’ Fire Safety Log Books.

• Provide direction when dealing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Enforcement Officers carrying out legislative audit inspections.

• Transparent co-operation and co-ordination at Historic Environment Scotland sites where facilities management companies, catering providers and cleaning contractors are employed or premises which are shared with others.

• Assist with the design, provision and monitoring of a fire safety training programme.

• To provide support to regional H&S Committees to ensure active employee engagement, risk management at a local level and effective communication and co-operation between all involved.

• Monitor unwanted fire alarm signals, identify failings or trends and ensure appropriate remedial actions are taken to reduce re-occurrence.

• Monitoring and internal audits to assess levels of compliance with relevant legislation and internal policy and procedure across all business areas and sites.

• Develop working relationships with external organisations, including other heritage-focussed bodies and the SFRS.

• Other relevant duties appropriate to the role and grade.

Post Competencies

You will be assessed against these competencies during our selection process.

Core Competencies:

• Delivering excellent Service – Demonstrating a commitment to quality services

• Teamwork – Contributing to and supporting working together

• Planning and Organising – Putting plans and resources in place to achieve results

• Communication – Communicating appropriately and clearly

• Knowledge & Expertise – Applying and developing knowledge and expertise to achieve results – (See below for specific criteria)

Management Competencies:

• Achieving results – Focusing on the delivery of objectives

• Leading a Team/Project/Task – Focusing on leading a Team/Project/Task or developing people.

Knowledge, skills and experience

You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the requirements and qualifications below as part of the selection process.

Essential requirements:

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006

• A thorough understanding of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) changes

• A minimum of 5 years experience and knowledge in undertaking fire safety risk assessments and producing the relevant reports.

• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office

• High level of administrative and managerial skills and the ability to work to deadlines within a diverse organisation.

• Good communicator with excellent interpersonal and networking skills

Desirable requirements:

• A minimum of 5 years experience of general fire safety management.

• Experience of the Equality Act 2010 and its impact on fire safety management.

• Knowledge of the pragmatic and sensitive application of the fire legislation to the historic environment and consideration of property protection.

• Knowledge of developing and implementing emergency salvage plans at sites where collections are displayed or stored.

• Experience in delivering fire safety training.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships:

Essential

• Qualification in Fire Safety Risk Assessment e.g. NEBOSH, British research Establishment, Fire Protection Association and National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health

Desirable

• Membership of an accredited fire safety related organisation.

• Qualification in Fire Safety Management

What we offer

We welcome applications from all nationalities, assuming that they have the right to work in the UK: applying for a job with us could open the door to a unique work environment. It will give you job satisfaction and excellent development opportunities, plus a competitive salary, 25 days paid holidays (rising to 30 days after 3 years’ service) and 11.5 public holidays a year – pro rata for part time staff.

In addition we offer a great benefits package to our employees which includes:

• flexible working hours (where appropriate)

• special leave

• maternity/paternity leave

• adoption leave

• reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions

• support for further education and personal development

• study leave for work related courses

• access to a learning resource centre

Health and welfare

We offer you access to:

• our Employee Assistance Programme – for confidential advice and counselling

• an occupational sick pay scheme

• discounts at some local authority leisure facilities

• access to a free Headspace membership
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