HR People Partner - Maternity Cover Fire and Rescue Service

HR People Partner - Maternity Cover at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Apply for the HR People Partner - Maternity Cover role at Dorset Council UK
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Grade: G

Salary: £44,075 to £47,181 per annum (rising by annual increments to £47,181). More information on salaries and progression can be found on our pay and policies page.

Hours:

Full Time – 37 hours per week

Location:

The role will be based at Poundbury, Dorchester or Salisbury with the flexibility to work from home, DWFRS stations or support offices. We would welcome a conversation with the successful candidate on what type of flexible working arrangement will work best for you.

Travel:
The role has a significant travel requirement across the Service, particularly to Christchurch, Springbourne, Ferndown, Verwood, Poole, Hamworthy, Swanage and Wareham.

Appointment type:
Temporary – up to 18 months fixed term contract (or until return of substantive postholder) – maternity cover.

Contact:
For a chat about this post, please contact Adele Smyth, Senior HR People Partner on or

Closing date:
Sunday 11 January 2026 (midnight). Interviews will take place on Thursday 22 January 2026. If you are shortlisted, further details regarding the interview format and location will be provided beforehand.

• Develop relationships with and provide support to managers within the Service, ensuring best practice is implemented and working closely with them to deliver their objectives and the business plan.
• Provide advice, support and guidance on employee relations issues such as conflict resolution, mediation, investigation, disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance/sickness issues, flexible working requests, maternity/paternity matters, redundancy, job design and restructures – ensuring a consistent and fair approach in each case.
• Ensure line managers can effectively apply HR policies and procedures, keeping them up to date, consistently applied and ensuring they understand their importance.
• Support key stakeholders in all areas of leadership development, coaching, performance management and succession planning.

• Qualified Member level of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (MCIPD) or capable of demonstrating significant level of graduate calibre experience at this level.
• Previous experience of working in a business partner role and providing HR support and advice on a wide range of employee relations and other HR matters.
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and experience of applying it and advising on best practice to minimise organisational risk.
• Ability to build and maintain strong, professional and credible working relationships at all levels within the organisation.

• Must have a full current driving licence and be able to fulfil the significant travel requirements. Use of your own vehicle will be required; a Service vehicle may be available (manual transmission only). If unable to drive due to a disability, reasonable adjustments will be explored.
• The role involves some evening working to support operational staff at drill nights.
• If applying for a secondment opportunity you will need to notify your substantive line manager of your intention at the earliest opportunity.
• A Standard Disclosure & Barring Service Check (DBS) clearance will be undertaken on the successful individual prior to offer of employment.
• Any offer of employment will be subject to full pre‑employment checks including identity checks, right to work in the UK, medical, negative drug test, satisfactory references, verification of employment history and explanation of employment gaps in the last three years.
• If a permanent position arises during the fixed term contract that is substantially similar to the role you are carrying out, you may be considered for the role in the first instance.
• Information regarding tax awareness and pension considerations is available on the website.

Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior level.

Employment type:

Contract.

Job function:
Human Resources.

Industries:
Human Resources.

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and welcome…