Fire Safety Advisor

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £52,907 – £58,198 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time | Closing Date: 15th February 2026

Location:
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work – that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

As a Fire Safety Advisor (FSA) you will provide effective fire safety advice and guidance, management and delivery of key functions such as Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs), training and emergency planning all in direct support of delivering an effective fire risk management system to assist STFC in meeting its legislative obligations. The post holder will provide competent advice as required under Article 18 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The role is mainly an onsite role, primarily based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, though occasional travel to other STFC sites may be required.

• Provide fire safety advice to staff, tenants, contractors, visitors and facility users in respect to fire safety legislation and its implementation.
• Support the review and implementation of STFC Fire Risk Management strategy and objectives, offering technical guidance and assisting the development of supporting working processes and practices.
• Provide assurance and support to departmental directors regarding department performance in relation to fire risk management. Attend department safety management committees and forums and prepare associated reports and information.
• Engage, mentor and develop Building Fire Co-ordinators (BFCs) and department line managers to ensure that fire safety is managed effectively at department and building level. This includes audit and assurance activity during departmental safety tours and on an ad-hoc basis to measure performance.
• Conduct and manage FRAs within your defined area of responsibility, working with external fire safety consultants and stakeholders to facilitate visits and provide technical advice. Work with BFCs, Departments, Estates and other stakeholders to ensure that action plans are managed effectively and closed out in a timely manner.
• Undertake regular reviews to ensure that FRAs remain effective. Ensure that in the event of significant change, a fire or serious occurrence, the adequacy of the FRAs is assessed and issues or deficiencies are tracked and addressed in a timely manner.
• Assist with the delivery and development of the fire evacuation drill programme for occupied buildings. Produce reports to identify areas of improvements, actions and document good practice/performance where applicable. Ensure actions are tracked to closure.
• Provide technical fire safety advice regarding Building Regulations compliance for minor projects, refurbishments and changes of use. Assist in the building handover process prior to STFC acceptance to ensure required standards have been met, and passive and active fire protection measures are in good order and are fully operational. Ensure that sufficient Regulation 38 documentation has been provided and verified.
• Assist with the development and delivery of fire safety training.
• Assist in maintaining a comprehensive team of trained building wardens and BFCs for sites within your area of responsibility, and ensure that training exercises are undertaken with the site’s Security Team and any response teams.
• Support and advise the Estates Compliance Team to ensure that maintenance of fire safety equipment is carried out in accordance with approved Codes of Practice, and that accurate records are maintained.
• Conduct investigations of reported fire incidents, false alarms, near misses and unsafe conditions. Document investigations in STFC’s incident reporting system (Evotix) ensuring that they are investigated, and root cause(s) of…