Job Title: Project Officer Starting Salary: £41,511 progressing to £45,718 pa Hours: 22.5 per week Location: Based in Stevenage with hybrid working opportunities Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Community Protection About the team The Service Improvement Team (SIT) is a core support function within Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS), Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). The SIT has a working knowledge and background across a variety of areas within HFRS and seek to improve the service we deliver, internally and externally. The SIT has close working relationships with frontline staff and our strategic leaders, holding all to account to deliver best value. This Project Officer role will play a key part in this function by coordinating, supporting and managing a multitude of projects simultaneously. About the role Project Management : To lead and manage elements of various large and complex projects identified by department and to lead and manage specific smaller projects when required. To prepare and monitor project documentation and project plans. To be responsible for risk management within the project, ensuring issues are regularly monitored and resolved providing solutions to problems independently and confidently. Ensure key dates and milestones are achieved. Facilitate project groups as required Research and reporting : To lead and undertake research including the writing of extensive briefs and reports, utilising technology and using project management tools relevant and appropriate to the project and department. Analyse and disseminate complex information and report identifying risks and threats to the project. Monitor and review : Independently manage elements of large and complex projects including large cross service projects ensuring a consistent approach is applied. Maintain group involvement by collaborating and communicating with a variety of stakeholders to ensure key priorities are met for the council. Ensure the right measurements are in place, monitor, review and evaluate progress throughout the project. Change management : Plan, prepare and deliver presentations to a wide variety of audiences and facilitate workshops. Drive and deliver support and assist with managing/leading on change aspects of projects. Identify learning and development needs and utilise learning and organisational development solutions to support cultural change. Communication and building relationships : Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders. Confidently negotiate and challenge stakeholders in promoting aims and objectives of the project, lead on the resolution of or escalate issues in a timely manner. About you Essential : Experience of working within a UK Fire & Rescue Service at a middle manager or strategic leader level. Excellent knowledge of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This must include demonstratable evidence of working with HMICFRS within a Fire & Rescue Service to drive improvement following inspections. Evidence of having led a Fire & Rescue Service through an inspection by HMICFRS. Clear communication skills with an ability to interpret internal / external influences and drive improvement projects. Ability to work alone with remote supervision and as part of a close team, managing a varying and dynamic workload as required. Desirable : Experience of working as a Service Liaison Lead within HMICFRS. We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role. This job role is within the Project & Programme, level 11 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles: Project & programme To hear more about this opportunity please contact Adam.Swanhertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role. Interview Date : 7th May 2025 Benefits of working for us How to apply As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. 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.