Assistant & Reporting Officer

Pay and Reporting Assistant Officer – Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Permanent, full-time (37 hours per week) based at Service Headquarters in Exeter.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s mission is to create a safer world by preventing fire and rescue emergencies. We pride ourselves on our reputation and the expertise of our skilled workforce, enhancing the services we provide across Devon and Somerset.

As a Payroll and Reporting Assistant Officer you will support the monthly payroll processes, including data reconciliation, casework for payment queries, and comprehensive reporting based on HR database content.

• Maintain and update spreadsheets, databases and systems in accordance with the Data Protection Act, processing pay and personnel data and taking follow-up actions.
• Extract and process operational activity and availability claims from Gartan systems accurately for each payment run.
• Reconcile monthly payroll data, ensuring timely completion.
• Reconcile absence data between Gartan and iTrent and minimize over payment for on-call colleagues.
• Handle payment errors, identify causes, liaise with stakeholders, oversee salary advances, recoveries, and produce correspondence for affected individuals.
• Support payroll system table maintenance and testing for upgrades or development under guidance of System admin/Payroll lead.
• Produce user-friendly reports from HR database and payroll output, using lookup functions, pivots, slicers, and graphs.
• Provide data for ad‑hoc reporting such as Subject Access Requests, FOIs, and organisational returns (ONS, HMI).
• Ensure the payroll system reflects employment variations (new joiners, leavers, position and grade changes, personal particulars).
• Record and implement deductions, subscriptions and recoveries accurately and promptly in collaboration with the payroll provider.

• Flexible working arrangements for work‑life balance
• A generous pension scheme
• Generous annual leave
• Family leave policies
• Physiotherapy services
• Professional development and progression opportunities
• Free gym access and personalised fitness coaching
• Eye care and wellness programmes
• Affordable healthcare via Benenden Health
• Engaging sports and social groups
• Confidential counselling and mental health support
• Access to the Firefighters Charity
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme

Contact:
Jeni Lord, HR Pay and Reporting Lead – or

Closing date
: 23:59hrs Sunday 26 July 2026.

Complete the application form and upload a document detailing how you meet the essential criteria listed below. Ensure total evidence does not exceed 2000 words (excluding titles). Documents will be used to shortlist applicants.

• Proven ability to input and extract data efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to identify and solve problems involving numerical information.
• Knowledge and understanding of using People / Database systems.
• Effective individual and team working skills within a busy environment.
• Good planning, organisational and time‑management skills.
• Advanced level MS Excel proficiency.

Interviews are anticipated during the week commencing 3 August 2026.

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All employees must adhere to the Service’s Safeguarding Policy and disclose any criminal convictions. A Standard DBS check will be required. Positive disclosures will be handled with a proportionate response under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.