SummaryWe are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a motivated and forward thinking professional to join our People Services Team as a PIP (People Improvement Project) Assistant HR Officer - Recruitment This role is available on a 24-month fixed term contract, working full-time (37 hours per week) and offers a competitive salary starting at £33,699 (Grade 5 – subject to Job Evaluation).
The role:
As a PIP Assistant HR Officer - Recruitment, you will lead and support the delivery of exceptional recruitment and selection services, ensuring our processes are fair, transparent and aligned to Service values and best practice standards.
You will play a key role in driving forward improvement activity linked to our People Improvement Project, strengthening our approach to recruitment, development and promotion while championing inclusive and equitable practices.
Find out more
Key Responsibilities of the PIP Assistant HR Officer - Recruitment:
People Improvement, Selection and Progression Responsibilities: Lead all recruitment-related activity within the People Improvement Project workstream focused on selection, development and promotion, ensuring our recruitment and progression processes are open, fair, evidence-based and applied consistently across the Service.
Provide regular, timely and accurate updates to the People Improvement Board on progress, risks and emerging themes.
Work closely with Service Delivery colleagues to review, enhance and standardise recruitment, selection and promotion processes strengthening transparency, equity of opportunity and alignment to best practice and inspection standards.
Design and embed improved candidate feedback mechanisms so every applicant received meaningful, constructive and actionable feedback.
Support the collection, analysis and reporting of recruitment, promotion and progression data to identify trends, risks, disproportionality and potential barriers within our processes.
Lead the development and consistent application of assessment methods, panel guidance, and documentations standards to support fair, high-quality decision-making.
Collaborate with other teams in People Services, managers and the People Improvement team to ensure that learning from grievances, complaints, appeals, and process reviews drive continuous improvement.
Promote inclusive recruitment and development practices aligned to our equality, diversity and positive action aims. Recruitment Responsibilities: Lead end to end recruitment and selection activity for all new staff, including preparing and placing advertisements, selecting cost effective advertising channels, coordinating publication and selection activities; administering assessments and psychometric tests; shortlisting; scheduling and logistics; reviewing interview questions; participating in interview panels; providing high quality candidate feedback; coordinating references and medical checks; issuing written Statements of Particulars; and supporting induction arrangements.
Provide daily support to the Recruitment HR Business Partner as required.
Ensuring all recruitment and selection activity supports the Service’s commitment to fair, open, and transparent progression pathways, reflecting ongoing People Improvement priorities.
Support the development and effective use of the Service E-Recruitment system (Talentlink).
Offer professional, timely advice to Service Managers and staff (uniformed and non-uniformed) across the full range of recruitment and selection and signposting t appropriate teams in People Services for advice on other people related topics.
Contribute to the introduction of new working practices and change initiatives, supporting the Service to meet its goals and deliver high quality services to our communities.
Provide administrative support and advice to HR Business Partners and Managers for recruitment activity as required.
Maintain professional knowledge through networking, training, and reviewing changes in employment law, regulations, and case law. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on how we attract, develop and progress our people. You will work at heart of our improvement journey, helping to embed fair, inclusive and transparent practices that directly support colleagues.
How to apply
Closing date: 23:59 8 March 2026 If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our PIP Assistant HR Officer - Recruitment please click 'apply' today, we would love to hear from you.
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. Provide an example of when you contributed to improving a recruitment, HR process, or project.
Describe a situation where you provided HR advice or guidance to managers or colleagues on a recruitment or selection matter.
Describe your experience of designing, reviewing or administering assessment methods as part of a recruitment or promotion process.
Provide an example of how you have supported workforce planning, resourcing discussions or organisational change from a recruitment perspective. To help you complete this part of the application form please find attached below the word document “Essential Criteria for my PIP Assistant HR Officer Recruitment Application” for you to download and complete with your evidence for the above criteria. You can then upload this document where requested when completing your application.
Please note the evidence that you upload to your application should not exceed 2000 words in total (excluding titles).
Evidence submitted in relation to the essential criteria above will be used to shortlist any applications received.
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.
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