Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue notification of Promotional Assessment Centre (PAC)

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are seeking highly motivated staff interested in seeking promotion for the following roles:

• Station Commander Operational
• Group Commander Operational
• Crew Commander Operational
• Watch Commander Operational
  
  
  

We need individuals with excellent managerial and communication skills and the ability to motivate staff whilst maintaining the highest levels of service delivery for the communities we serve.

About The Role

Eligibility Criteria:

This opportunity is open to candidates who are fully competent and substantive in their current role, looking to progress to the next level. Candidates should be employed within a Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service. Evidence of competency will need to be provided with your application.

Application:

Candidates will complete an application form, including uploading proof of competency. Application forms can be found attached to the advert.

The Process:

• Introduction to Promotion
  
  
  

Candidates will be required to attend a ‘Introduction to Promotion’ session. The session will give an overview of the application process and the assessment activities.

Online sessions: 30th January 2026 at 11:00 and 2nd February 2026 at 10:00

Please email development.tdc@hertfordshire.gov.uk with the date you wish to attend and a link will be sent.

About The Team

• Expression of Interest
  
  
  

Candidates will be required to submit a supporting statement, this is their opportunity to document their skills, knowledge and behaviours suitability for the role. The statement will be sifted to ensure candidates have met the standard required to progress to the assessment stage. Details on the sift criteria can be found in the application documents attached.

• Operational Assessment
  
  
  

If successful through the sift, candidates will be required to attend an operational assessment including a scenario based operational exercise at the relevant level either using operational crews or XVR simulation.

• Managerial Assessment
  
  
  

Candidates will be required to attend a managerial assessment which will be a presentation to a panel detailing the development they have undertaken showing their potential and readiness for the next rank. Evidence may include email trails, photos, witness statements, reflective accounts, minutes of meetings or observations.

Candidates may present their development journey and supporting evidence in any format they wish, this could be a PowerPoint presentation, video or a portfolio of physical evidence. The presentation will be followed by a professional discussion related to the evidence presented and the role requirements.

Key Dates:

Recruitment

Dates

Additional Information

Expression of Interest and Application

Continually open

Submit EOI and application

Application Close

1700 6th February 2026

(Applications submitted after this date will be considered for the next process)

To be considered for inclusion in the next Promotional Assessment Centre your application needs to be submitted by Friday 31st January 2025.

Operational Assessment

w/c 13th April 2026

Operational Assessment Incident Command/Fire Control Board Exercise

Managerial Assessment

w/c 27th April 2026

Managerial Assessment, presentation of ‘development journey’ plus professional discussion

How to apply

Support:

If you have any questions or require any support with the process, please email development.TDC@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Next Steps:

If you would like to apply for the Promotion Assessment Centre, please register your interest by applying via the link below.

Benefits of working for us

Additional information

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving Required

You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.