Career Pathway

Are you ready to take the next step in your Sellafield Fire & Rescue Service career?

We are inviting expressions of interest from motivated and capable SF&RS firefighters who are keen to progress into the role of Crew Manager as part of our structured Career Pathway process. This is an exciting opportunity for those ready for the next chapter in their leadership journey and contribute to the continued excellence of our operational service.

As a Crew Manager, you’ll play a vital leadership role – supporting operational delivery, developing SF&RS teams and upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

This is an excellent opportunity to:

• Develop your leadership and incident command skills
• Contribute to training, operational readiness and risk management
• Be a role model for SL’s Nuclear Professionalism Standards.

Participation in and successful completion of the SL Strengths Based Assessment is a mandatory step within the Crew Manager Career Pathway.

Once successfully passed, individuals will enter a holding pool until a Crew Manager position becomes available. If more than one candidate is in the pool when a vacancy arises, a structured scoring process will be applied using agreed criteria to ensure fair and transparent selection.

Full details of how the pathway works and the governance procedure can be found via the ‘Career Pathways’ tab on the ‘Security, Resilience and Emergency Management SharePoint Page’.

About the Role:

Crew Managers are responsible for supporting the Operational Station Manager in the delivery of an effective and efficient emergency response service to the Sellafield site. Under the direct command of the Operational Station/Watch Manager they attend incidents as directed to undertake operations commensurate with role in line with the site’s Concept of Operations for Unified Command and Control. They also have a responsibility to uphold the values and standards of the service.

Who Should Apply?

Fully competent SF&RS firefighters who have a My Contribution ‘Performance Rating’ of ‘Meets Expectations’ or above AND a ‘Potential Rating’ at ‘Potential to progress at a higher grade or zone in the organisation’.

NB: Individuals who have received ‘Unable to rate’ as their last/current rating will also be able to express their interest.

How to Apply

Please submit your Expression of Interest including:

Q1• Supporting competence & maintaining standards

Describe how you would support your team to maintain high operational and safety standards, including how you would identify and address gaps in skills or performance. Your answer must outline the steps you would take in the Crew Manager role and include a real example of when you have helped someone improve their skills, confidence or performance (maximum 500 words).

Q2• Building positive culture & team behaviours

Explain how you would help build a positive, professional and inclusive culture on your watch that aligns with Sellafield’s Nuclear Safety, Security and Standards expectations. Describe the behaviours you would model, how you would handle minor issues early and provide a real example of how you have contributed to a positive or professional team culture in your current role (maximum 500 words).

Q3• Taking responsibility & supporting improvements

Describe how you would identify and act on opportunities to improve routines, safety, equipment checks, training or ways of working on your watch. Explain the practical steps you would take and include a real example where you have already made or suggested an improvement (maximum 500 words).

Q4• Leading or supporting in challenging situations

Describe a situation where you have taken the lead or played a key supporting role during an operational, training or developing scenario. Explain your role, what actions you took, how you communicated with others and the lessons you gained from this experience. Describe how you would apply that learning as a Crew Manager, including when acting as initial Incident Commander (maximum 500 words).

Additional information required for application:

• Please ensure you provide a summary of your relevant experience, skills and qualifications, including details of leadership or development activities (maximum 500 words).

• If you have any additional insights that you feel would strengthen your application or demonstrate your readiness for the role, please include them here (maximum 200 words).

• Applicants must obtain a written statement of support from their Fire Station Manager (maximum 200 words). This statement should outline the manager’s confidence in the applicant’s readiness for the Crew Manager Career Pathway and confirm that the individual has demonstrated the behaviours, performance and commitment expected for progression.

Applications submitted without a line manager endorsement will not be considered.

A PDF version of the Station Manager’s submission must be attached to the application by the candidate.

Additional Information:

If you have any questions or would like an informal discussion about the Crew Manager Pathway, please contact either:

James Todhunter (Emergency Response Manager) or Matt Saulters (Station Manager)

The Profession has the right to withdraw the Expression of Interest advert at any stage.

The closing date for this pathway is 23:59 hours on Sunday 3rd May 2026.