Wholetime Firefighter

Job Introduction

Opening date: 17 July 2025

Closing date: 4 August 2025 (midday)

Salary: £30,384 (Development), £38,881 (Competent)

Are you looking for a challenge? Would you like to make a difference every day? Do you want a role that’s more varied than 9-5 and feel able to rise to the challenge day or night? If so, we have an amazing opportunity for you to join us as a Wholetime Firefighter.

Being part of our Service is not just about fighting fires and rescuing people from difficult situations; it is also about working closely with local communities. Working with people of all ages and from all walks of life demands common sense, compassion, sensitivity, creativity, discretion and diplomacy. We look for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to help us to provide a high-quality service.

Some key things you need to know are:

• You need to be 18 years or over as of 02 January 2026;

• You need to have a minimum of English and Maths GCSEs grade C / Grade 4 or above (or equivalent);

• You may regularly drive vehicles - so you must have a valid driving licence and be eligible to drive within the UK;
• You will need to be eligible to work in the UK without restrictions;
• This is a physical role so you need to have a good level of fitness and health – which you’ll need to maintain throughout your career with us.

When you start, you’ll undertake a comprehensive training package, which is just the beginning of your career of lifelong learning. Our Service will support you and develop you. Whilst you will initially start as a firefighter, there are lots of great opportunities to learn and diversify into other parts of the fire and rescue service.

Successful applicants will join our Service as an apprentice Firefighter, completing the Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship standard. This is a 24-month development programme consisting of an induction (operational firefighter training) a development programme and an end point assessment. These apprenticeships will be paid in line with agreed National Joint Council rates. Such a varied role needs a varied workforce, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.

To find out more about the role, please see the full job description and person specification attached to this advert page. We have also attached some candidate guidance and useful information documents, which we recommend you read through before applying to this vacancy.  

Further information about our Service and the role of a Wholetime Firefighter can be found on our service webpage: www.hwfire.org.uk/careers/wholetime-firefighter/