Chief Fire Officer

Job Introduction

Chief Fire Officer

Permanent, full time 42 hours/week

£155,461 per annum plus relocation expenses

Nettleham, Lincolnshire

Lead Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue into its next chapter

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking an exceptional and inspirational Chief Fire Officer to provide strategic leadership. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and a core member of the Corporate Leadership Team, you will ensure the service builds on positive momentum of continual improvement journey, as outlined in the recent HMICFRS report. You will ensure the Service is ready to meet the potential challenge of becoming a stand-alone fire authority or continued collaboration within a political organisation.

The opportunity

You will set the strategic direction and provide visible leadership across prevention, protection, response, organisational development and emergency planning and business continuity. You will work closely with elected members, senior council colleagues, staff, representative bodies, communities and partners at local, regional and national level.

You will ensure good governance, financial sustainability and be able to deliver continuous improvement. As a member of the Council’s senior leadership, you will also contribute beyond the boundaries of Fire and Rescue, helping to shape corporate priorities, strengthen partnership working and deliver positive outcomes for the county.

What you will bring

• A strong record of strategic and operational leadership.
• Credible experience of providing strategic leadership in demanding circumstances.
• The ability to inspire people, build an inclusive and high-performing culture, and develop leadership capability at every level.
• Sound judgement, political awareness and the confidence to advise elected members and senior stakeholders.
• A track record of managing significant budgets, resources, risk and performance while improving value and outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership-building skills, with the credibility to represent the Service regionally and nationally.
• A clear commitment to public service, equality, integrity and the safety and wellbeing of communities and colleagues.

Why Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire offers an exceptional opportunity to lead where your impact will be visible across an extraordinary county. From the historic city of Lincoln and thriving market towns to vast rural communities, key transport routes and a distinctive coastline, the Service protects people across a uniquely varied landscape. Its scale, geography and changing risks demand bold leadership, innovation and strong partnerships. This is your chance to shape a modern, resilient Fire and Rescue Service, influence the wider future of local public services and make a lasting difference to the communities of Lincolnshire.

Next steps

If you would like an open and informal discussion on this opportunity, please contact

ESO.ChiefExecutive@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 15th November 2026

Selection Date: Mid December 2026

Data Collection:

All application and selection data will be collected and reviewed to ensure a fair process and to identify areas where additional support may be necessary.

Reasonable Adjustment Requests:

For candidates with neuro-divergence and disabilities, the process will operate a system of reasonable adjustments to those applicable parts to enable these candidates’ full access to the process whilst ensuring that the assessment process remains valid with all candidates receiving an equitable assessment experience.

For the applicable parts of the assessment process, LFR will mirror the IFE position for Reasonable Adjustments to provide continuity and clarity. Although reasonable adjustments must not compromise the validity and reliability of examination results, they should be based on individual needs and reflect the ways in which affected candidates normally work. Applications for reasonable adjustments can be expressed at shortlisting.

Alternatively, please contact Recruitmentfire@lincolnshire.gov.uk to discuss further.

Disclosures and Barred Services:

Please be advised that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 now includes the requirement for Fire and Rescue Service employees to have a standard DBS check as a minimum. This legislation change applies to all Fire Services across the country and the process aims to help safeguard colleagues and communities.

As a service we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

Please note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Politically Restricted Position

Under The Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, this post has been identified as 'politically restricted'. Further information on the Council’s Politically Restricted Posts Policy can be viewed here.

We’re looking for candidates who align with our values- Putting communities first, Integrity, Dignity and Respect, Leadership, Equality Diversity and Inclusion.

Attached documents

• Relocation policy – Lincolnshire County Council.pdf
• Chief Fire Officer Job Description.pdf