Driving Instructor

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Service wide, based at the Ipswich East Fire Station
• Salary: Crew Manager in accordance with NJC pay scales or Grade 5 (£35,570 per annum)

Posts available:

Post 1: 14.8 hours per week, Permanent

Post 2: Zero Hours, Permanent

Driver Training is a vital function within Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, directly supporting operational response and public safety. The team delivers Light Goods Vehicle, Emergency Response Driver and Light Vehicle Response Driver training, alongside specialist instruction for aerial appliances, turntable ladders, Unimogs, and other operational vehicles.

As a Driver Training Instructor, you will plan and deliver a range of driver training courses, creating a positive and supportive learning environment that enables operational personnel to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to drive safely, efficiently, and effectively in both routine and emergency response situations.

The team also delivers refresher training and competency assessments, ensuring all training remains compliant with national Fire Standards, legislation, and operational requirements.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• Support the Operational Training Station Manager in developing and delivering high-quality driver training and learning programmes in line with national standards and legislative requirements.
• Deliver, assess, and record training to maintain workforce competence, providing constructive feedback and identifying development opportunities that support learner progress.
• Manage and maintain training resources, equipment, and records, ensuring compliance, operational readiness, and effective quality assurance.
• Foster a positive learning environment by coaching, motivating, and supporting personnel, acting as a workplace assessor and role model for professional standards.
• Promote health, safety, and welfare best practice, contribute to investigations and reports, represent the Service at meetings and events, and support departmental projects and communications.

You will need

• A full Category C driving licence with no more than six penalty points.
• Competence in ERDT Unit 1.
• Strong knowledge of driver training standards, legislation, and best practice.
• Experience of assessing competence and supporting the learning and development of others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and motivate learners.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The team

Driver Training is a vital function within Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, directly supporting operational response and public safety. The team delivers Light Goods Vehicle, Emergency Response Driver and Light Vehicle Response Driver training, alongside specialist vehicle instruction for aerial appliances, turntable ladders, Unimog’s and other operational vehicles. As a busy and adaptable department, they provide ongoing refresher training and competency development, ensuring all training is delivered in line with Fire Standards and legal requirements.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Jimmy Ho for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07864324528 or emailingJimmy.Ho@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Complete the Supporting Statement template (Word) by answering the questions below (no more than 250 words per question).

1. Tell us about a time when you trained, coached or instructed someone to learn a new skill. What did you do and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a time when you helped maintain or improve safety standards. What actions did you take?
3. Tell us about a time when someone was struggling to meet the required standard. How did you support them to improve?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see ourHow to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read ourguidance for using AIto understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 13 October 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Onsite

About us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).