CFRS0172 - HR Advisor

Cumbriafire; England; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local fire and rescue service in the UK is seeking a passionate HR Advisor to join their People team. This role involves delivering high-quality HR solutions and supporting managers to shape a positive workplace. The ideal candidate will have strong generalist experience and communication skills, plus the ability to work with trade unions. They offer flexible working, ongoing development opportunities, and a supportive environment that values work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Pension scheme options

Occupational Health services

Personal development opportunities

Family friendly policies

Staff Networks for various communities

Qualifications

• HR professional with strong generalist experience.
• Excellent communication skills necessary.
• Experience with coaching managers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on HR policies and statutory requirements.
• Support managers in applying best HR practices.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives across the service.
• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures.
• Analyse HR data to identify trends.

Skills

Strong generalist experience

Excellent communication skills

Ability to build trusted relationships

Experience with trade unions

Job description

The right person, in the right role, at the right time

About this opportunity

Do you want to Champion People and Shape Strategy? Join CFRS as Our HR Advisor!

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS) is looking for a passionate HR professional to join our People team. As a HR Advisor, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality HR solutions across our diverse workforce, supporting managers and shaping a positive, inclusive workplace.

This is an exciting time to join CFRS. You’ll work on a variety of projects - from employee relations to absence and disciplinary management - helping us achieve our people strategy and organisational goals.

We’re looking for a HR professional with strong generalist experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with managers and stakeholders. Experience working with trade unions and coaching managers to resolve people issues is a plus.

In return, you’ll join a friendly, supportive team that values flexibility, wellbeing, and work-life balance. We offer full induction, ongoing development, and options for full‑time, part‑time, or job share.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely, accurate advice on HR policies, practices, and statutory requirements.
• Support managers and colleagues in applying best HR practices.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and operational delivery across the service.
• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Analyse HR data to identify trends, inform actions, and promote a performance‑driven culture.

If you have any questions or want any further information please contact our HR Managers:

Salary: £38,220 - £39,125
Locations: HQ – Penrith (flexible)
Hours: 37 hours per week (flexible)
Contract: Fixed Term (to end October 2026)
Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 4th January 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 14th January 2026

* This post requires a Standard DBS Check *

Adjustments – we strongly encourage any candidate who needs adjustments to make us aware as soon as possible, either using the section on the application form or by contacting the Resourcing Team directly (email below). We will have a confidential discussion with you and we take the approach of ‘you tell us what you require, and we will do our best to facilitate’. Where we are unable to make the adjustment, we will share this asap.

CFRS has a Guaranteed Interview scheme for those whose most recent employer is the armed forces, for care leavers, and for those who consider themselves disabled. If you consider yourself eligible, please include this information when submitting your application to the Resourcing team, who will handle this confidentially. We encourage candidates to let us know so we can provide the best support and access throughout the process.

• Please ensure you have properly submitted your application. You will not receive an email confirmation, however you will be taken to a page that confirms it has been submitted.

With approximately 600 employees, covering operational firefighters, front facing delivery teams, corporate services, and support staff, delivering services across the county from 38 Fire Stations, we know we need to be a modern, flexible, and inclusive employer.

We offer

• Flexible working across the county, including a hybrid of homeworking and office working at one of our Wholetime stations
• Enrolment in either the Fire Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme (depending on your terms and conditions) – link to the Pensions page here
• Occupational Health service, including counselling
• Close working relationship with the Firefighters Charity, including mental and physical health support
• On‑going personal development, including apprenticeship options and leadership courses
• Access to modern ICT equipment
• Family friendly policies, including 45 weeks full pay for Family Leave
• Menopause Policy – link here (Word document)
• Workplace adjustments for Neurodivergent and Disabled employees
• Staff Networks for a variety of different communities, including (but not limited to) Armed Forces, LGBTQ+, Menopause, Retirees

Our service is passionate about the communities we serve and dedicated to developing our workforce – if you're looking to progress in an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic fire service, we would like to hear from you!

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our communities in Cumbria. We actively encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

We capture Equality data on our application forms to help us review barriers in our processes for any minority group. This is optional to complete and is securely removed and accessed only by the Resourcing team to review.