Assistant Inspector (2865)

Job summary

Do you have sector experience within either a local authority or defence fire and rescue service environment (or other blue light organisations), with knowledge across the functions of the Service?If so, we are seeking an Assistant Inspector to join our small, dynamic team on a 3 year Fixed Term Appointment. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the scrutiny and improvement of fire and rescue services in Scotland.

Assistant Inspectors are integral to His Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate (HMFSI) mission to provide assurance and drive improvement in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Your work will culminate in published reports that influence policy and deliver real impact for communities across Scotland. HMFSI provides independent, risk-based inspections of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and professional advice to Scottish Ministers. Our work ensures that this critical public service operates effectively and efficiently, delivering assurance to government and communities across Scotland. Our values are Integrity, Objectivity, and Fairness. These values are essential for the postholder.

As an Assistant Inspector, you will play a key role in inspections, inquiries, and strategic reporting, helping shape recommendations that influence policy and operational practice. Subject to Ministerial approval, the successful candidate will be appointed under Section 43A of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in inspections and inquiries in line with legislation and HMFSI guidelines.
• Prepare strategic reports, briefing notes, and presentations.
• As required by the Chief Inspector, provide professional advice to Scottish Ministers.
• Represent HMFSI at national and local forums, occasionally deputising for the Chief Inspector.
• Manage allocated projects within the Inspectorate’s business plan.

Person specification

QualificationsAcademic studies in Management or a related field or relevant experience. Success profileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret technical data and statistics.
• Knowledge of operational and strategic management issues facing fire and rescue services (or other blue light organisations), including risk management, training, health & safety, contingency planning, and service reform.

Experience

• Experience or an understanding of the scrutiny role of Public Services or other organisations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, which are used to inform strategic decisions and policy.

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving - Level 4. Encourage, recognise and share innovative ideas from a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders via Inspectorate reports. Create an environment where people feel safe to comment upon and to challenge current organisational practices and know their voice will be heard.

• Delivering at Pace - Level 4. Being clear about objectives, priorities and focusing on results. Ensure delivery of quality outcomes, maintain own levels of performance that assist HMFSI achieve its business priorities and goals.

You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £89,687, Scottish Government contributes £25,982 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 23 February 2026, however this may be subject to change.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : John Joyce
• Email : john.joyce@gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : scottishgovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot