Supervisory Manager Promotion Board

Supervisory Manager Promotion Board - Open Now

Process open to internal staff (Wholetime & On Call) and external candidates from Local Authority Services. Successful candidates will be eligible for On Call and Wholetime Supervisory Manager roles. An On Call specific process launches 5 January 2026. After promotion, further assessments may be required for opportunities in functional departments.

Roles

We are recruiting to the posts of Crew Manager and Watch Manager. The right person demonstrates outstanding leadership, compassion, honesty and integrity. They will listen, engage with teams, strive for service improvement and promote a fair, respectful culture that prioritises staff development and well being.

Right Time & Qualifications

To apply for the Crew Manager role you must currently hold the post of competent Firefighter and provide proof of competency.

To apply for the Watch Manager role you must hold the post of competent Crew Manager, provide proof of competency, and hold an in date ICL1 qualification.

Process

We use NFCC recruitment best practices and a balanced panel. Adjustments can be requested. The process includes:

• Confidential contact email to discuss adjustments.
• Anonymised shortlisting practices.
• Assessment information and presentations shared in advance, allowing 10 minutes prep time.
• Engagement sessions.
• Various assessments to showcase strengths and support development.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 11th January 2026.

• Applications open - Monday 8th December 2025.

Engagement sessions:

• Session 1 - Tuesday 16th December 2025, 6 pm-7 pm.
• Session 2 - Tuesday 6th January 2026, 6 pm-7 pm.

Shortlisting - week commencing 12th January 2026.

Assessment Day - week commencing 26th January 2026.

Candidate Feedback Sessions - week commencing 9th February 2026.

Assessment Day Additional Information

Drill ground assessment: you will be expected to lead/deliver a number of standard drills to a satisfactory standard.

For Crew Manager, drills selected from the following list:

• H1 - Branch to work using one line of hose from a hydrant with a crew of four.
• L1 - Slip and Pitch a 9 m and 10.5 m ladder with a crew of four.
• L2 - Slip and Pitch a 9 m and 10.5 m ladder with a crew of three.
• L3 - Slip and Pitch a 13.5 m ladder with a crew of four.

For Watch Manager, drills selected from the following list:

• H5 - Branch to work aloft using a line with a crew of four.
• P5 - Pump to work from a hydrant using soft suction with a crew of four (one delivery).
• L5 - Pitch a 13.5 m ladder in a restricted site with a crew of four.
• PL1 - Hose reel to work aloft via a ladder from a pump with a crew of four.
• PL2 - Line of hose to work aloft via a ladder from a pump from a hydrant using soft suction (one delivery) with a crew of four.

For Crew Manager applicants not holding an in date ICL1 skill, a practical assessment of potential to deliver incident commander duties at ICL1 level will be required.

Pension Information

If you have been employed as an operational firefighter and are in receipt of a firefighter's pension, your pension may be abated if you are appointed. Abatement occurs if your pension plus new salary exceeds your previous salary upon retirement. Further details can be provided on request. HMRC rules may also apply.

Adjustments

We encourage candidates to inform us of required adjustments. Please contact Resourcing Team at . We will discuss and implement as possible.

Benefits

• Permanent and fixed term contract.
• Workbase at one of our stations across Cumbria.
• Flexible working and hybrid arrangements.
• Access to the Fire Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Occupational health service including counselling.
• Support from the Firefighters Charity (mental & physical health).
• Personal development opportunities, apprenticeships, leadership courses.
• Modern ICT equipment.
• Family friendly policies (45 weeks full pay for Family Leave).
• Workplace adjustments for neurodiverse and disabled employees.
• Staff networks for various communities (e.g., Armed Forces, LGBTQ+, Menopause, Retirees).

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We value the diversity of our employees and encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We capture equality data on application forms to review barriers. The data is securely removed and accessed only by the Resourcing Team.