Communications Officer
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Salary: Starting salary £32,061 per annum rising to £34,434 per annum (plus an additional allowance for on-call rota)
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Package: 37 hours per week, Hybrid Working, Flexitime scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Holiday allowance of 25 days (plus public holidays) on joining.
Job reference: REQ000414
Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026
Attachments
attachmentJob Description - Communication Officer.pdfattachmentConditions of Service.pdf
Are you a creative and driven individual who likes to tell great stories, makes eye-catching content and wants to make an impact? We are seeking a Communications Officer to help tell our story both internally and externally, achieve better understanding of the work of the fire service and enhance the reputation of its role in the community.
We need someone who can find and write compelling content, capture a great bit of footage, and understand audiences, alongside planning content to meet their needs. You need to be able to deliver communication packages and campaigns to suit internal and external channels.
About the role
This role is all about crafting engaging, innovative and impactful stories and messaging - whether that’s through compelling writing for journalists, striking photography and videography for campaigns or engaging visual storytelling for our staff. You will be responsible for translating complex operational and organisational information into clear, accessible and engaging content across a range of internal and external platforms.
Key responsibilities
Produce well-developed, appropriate, insight-led creative materials to be used across a range of internal and external platforms to highlight key messages.
Produce well written and accurate communications suitable for different internal and external audiences in a range of formats, including news releases, newsletters, social media posts, web content, articles for inclusion in internal publications, information leaflets and posters and other corporate documents.
Collaborate with stakeholders to identify, plan and develop campaigns and content across a range of internal and external channels, advising on the best way to communicate and engage audiences, and evaluating outcomes.
Lead planning and management of all digital channels including our website and social media channels.
Proactively engage with operational colleagues, stakeholders and project leads to plan and deliver a creative product that tells their story in the best way for the intended audience.
Play an active role in external and internal responses for BFRS during major and significant incidents including internal communication, media handling, social media, photography, video, website management and briefing stakeholders, taking into account our responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act and working together with communication teams from other agencies. This includes attending events and incidents to manage communication and as part of an out-of-hours evening and weekend on-call rota.
Produce photography, video and visual products – capturing, designing, animating, branding, scripting, storyboarding and editing. To develop simple corporate graphics and marketing materials, including digital content and traditional printed materials, and to work with an external designer on projects, to ensure materials are appropriate, engaging and reflect the Service’s brand.
To support with planning, managing, attending and collecting content for Service corporate events including staff engagement events, awards, open days, etc.
About You
You will have:
GCSEs, or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience in one of the following:
Public relations, media communications or marketing
Photography/videography
English
Significant experience using social media proficiently such as, Facebook, X, Flickr, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram and NextDoor.
Some experience creating multi-platform content and campaigns for a range of audiences using insight, industry best practice and evaluation.
Some experience in writing for media, news releases, digital content creation, photography, videography and social media.
High level of creativity and ability to demonstrate where this has been used to get messages across to different audiences, particularly external audiences.
Understanding and interpreting information, rewriting complex or technical/management information into plain English. Ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
Photography, videography, editing, and use of the Adobe suite (or similar).
Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365, especially Sharepoint, Teams, Outlook, and other M365 apps that support internal communication (Viva Engage, Sway etc) and design applications such as Canva and Adobe.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues from all areas of the organisation and at all levels.
Good time management skills and an ability to manage conflicting demands and workloads, balancing reactive and proactive work.
Current full driving licence with no pending issues.
In this role, you will participate in a 1 in 4 rota out of hours media service, dealing with requests for information from the media and advising Service personnel on communications with the media and other communications-related matters.
For more details on the essential criteria required for the role, please see the attached job description and person specification.
Why work with us
We recognise that you are looking for more than just a career. A few of our benefits include:
Hybrid working patterns
Flexi-time scheme including flexible start and finish times, variable lunch breaks and flexi-leave days
Local Government Pension Scheme
Holiday allowance of 25 days* (plus public holidays) on joining; increasing to 30 days* after 5 years' service and 32 days after 10 years' service (*pro rata if part time or irregular working pattern)
Free gym access and onsite parking
Instant access to ‘Lifestyle Savings’ platform includes a range of discount cards from well-known and independent retailers
Eligible to sign up to ‘Blue Light Card’ with access to thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street.
Next steps
If this role is of interest, please visit our website https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/careers/search for further information and to make a formal application. We ask that you include your full career history and reference your skills and experience in line with the job description and person specification within your application and supporting statement.
Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026
The interview / selection process will take place on Friday 10 July and Monday 13 July 2026
If you are a self-starter, thrive under pressure, and love delivering high-quality content across multiple channels, we would love to hear from you!
This is a public-facing role, and it is essential to have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2023. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.
The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment clearances, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at the level required for the role.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safer recruitment, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer that welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we encourage applications from those who have served, are serving, or are part of a military family. Your skills and experience are valued here.
Internal BFRS staff only – Internal applicants who meet the essential criteria and are at risk of redundancy, or who are under notice as a result of Service redesign, will be given priority consideration in accordance with Service policy.
