Culture & EDI Lead - Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
- Multiple Locations
- Full Time
- £41,511 - £44,711 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an EDI and Culture Lead to enhance our People Services team based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. You’ll join us on a permanent contract working 37 hours per week, in return you will receive a competitive salary of £41,511 - £44,711. (gross) per annum.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset.
Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce.
About the role:
Are you ready to lead a bold transformation supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in a forward-thinking fire service? We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and visionary EDI and Culture Lead to help shape the future of our fire service. This isn’t just a job – it’s a chance to create lasting impact. You’ll be at the forefront of championing equality, diversity, and inclusion across our teams and the communities we serve. If you're ready to inspire progress, influence culture, and help build a workplace where everyone can thrive — this is for you. You will make every voice heard and every person valued. Are you up for the challenge?
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the development and delivery of EDI strategies that align with our service’s vision and values.
- Promote a culture of inclusion across the organisation by embedding EDI principles into everyday practices.
- Collaborate with senior leaders and People Services to influence policy, decision-making, and organisational culture.
- Design and implement impactful EDI initiatives that address key barriers and drive measurable change.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of EDI efforts, using data to inform future strategies.
- Provide expert advice and guidance on equality, diversity, and inclusion to teams and stakeholders.
- Support training and awareness programmes that empower staff at all levels to champion EDI values.
- Foster strong relationships with our communities, ensuring their voices are represented and respected.
- Ensure compliance with legislation and industry best practice, maintaining high standards of accountability.
- Be a visible, proactive ambassador for change, inspiring others and leading by example in creating a fairer, more inclusive fire service.
Find out more:
What We’re Looking For:
- An EDI Specialist who brings deep knowledge of equality, diversity, and inclusion legislation and best practice, with proven ability to analyse and present EDI performance metrics.
- An experienced change leader with a strong track record of driving and contributing to transformational change, particularly in complex or public sector environments.
- A skilled communicator and influencer who is excellent at building relationships, consulting, negotiating, and advocating across all levels.
- A strategic thinker with analytical flair who demonstrates strong policy/report writing and problem-solving abilities, with confidence in interpreting legislation and key performance indicators.
- An organised, results-driven professional who excels in time management, prioritisation, and delivering initiatives from concept to completion.
- Digitally confident with advanced IT skills and the ability to leverage digital systems effectively and seamlessly in a remote/hybrid working environment.
- A confident leader and team player with experience of leading teams and projects, motivating others, and working collaboratively in busy, dynamic settings.
- Performance-focused and resilient who understands and applies performance management principles and maintains high energy, professionalism, and composure under pressure.
- Values-led and people-centred who is deeply committed to fairness, inclusion, and continuous improvement—for themselves, their team, and the organisation.
- Flexible and mobile and willing and able to travel across Devon & Somerset (and beyond), including occasional overnight stays, with flexibility around working hours.
Why Join Us?
Be a key player in the growth and development of a high-performing and passionate organisation.
Help embed EDI principles in all that we do to make a real difference to our staff and community.
Competitive salary and benefits.
A unique chance to work with a service that has a direct and positive impact on communities.
If you're looking for a role where you can apply your skills and make a difference, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
Our values
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services’ Safeguarding Policy.
Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.
As a Service and as individuals:
- We are proud to help
- We are honest
- We are respectful
- We are working together
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve, and we aspire for this to be reflected in our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experience and beliefs, who share our values to consider working for us.
For more information, or for an informal discussion about the role, please contact Steve Huntington via shuntington@dsfire.gov.uk or 07977 353466.
The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a document detailing how you meet the following essential criteria taken from the Job Description and Person Specification.
Application Criteria
Please tell us in no more than 500 words per heading your experience of the following elements of the job role:
- Developing and implementing an EDI Strategy and roadmap
- Aligning EDI initiatives, policies, strategies and projects with other key organisational and National strategies
- Promoting positive employee relations by advising managers and employees on equality, inclusion and diversity matters in line with best practice and legislation, to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all levels of an organisation.
- Supporting in the development of positive action campaigns in relation to the recruitment, retention and progression of under-represented and diverse groups.
To help you complete this part of the application form please click Apply Now to see the word document “Essential Criteria for my EDI & Culture Lead Application” for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this where requested when completing your application.
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received.
Closing Date: 23:59 28 May 2025.
Job Details
- OrganisationOther Organisations
- Work LocationExeterDevon
- Reference
PS00782
- Occupational GroupHR & RecruitmentCommunications, Marketing & PRProject & Programme Management
- Salary Details
£41,511 - £44,711 per annum
- Job TermPermanent
- Appointment TypeFull Time
- Hours
37 hours per week
- Closing Date
27/05/2025
- DBS Check Required
No