Hiring and Sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and below) (SOC Code 3313)

Fire Service Officers (Watch Manager and Below) - SOC Code 3313

Fire service officers play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and fire prevention. Their responsibilities include:

• Inspection of Premises: 
• • Identify potential fire hazards.
  • Ensure availability and functionality of firefighting equipment.
  • Verify compliance with statutory fire safety regulations.
• Emergency Preparedness:
• • Organize fire drills and test alarm systems and equipment.
  • Respond to fires or emergencies by traveling to the site as needed.
• Operational Response:
• • Locate water mains when necessary during emergencies.
  • Operate firefighting equipment, including hose pipes, ladders, and various fire extinguishing appliances (chemical, foam, gas, powder).
• Rescue Operations:
• • Assist in rescuing individuals or animals endangered by fire, flooding, or other emergency situations.
  • Administer first aid as required.
• Post-Emergency Action:
• • Remove goods from fire-damaged premises and clear excess water.
  • Address structural hazards to mitigate further damage to property.
• Specialized Incident Handling:
• • Attend to bomb alerts and manage incidents involving the spillage of hazardous substances.
• Advisory Role:
• • Provide advice on fire safety measures for new buildings.
• Supervisory Duties:
• • Oversee a watch, ensuring effective management and response during emergencies.

As the demand for fire safety professionals rises, this guide assists HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsoring processes for fire service officers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Fire service officers (watch manager and below)?

SOC Code 3313 refers to Fire Service Officers (Watch Manager and below) who are responsible for ensuring fire safety and emergency response measures. Their responsibilities can include:

• Inspecting premises: Identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring firefighting equipment is available, functional, and compliant with statutory fire safety regulations.
• Arranging fire drills: Conducting regular fire drills and testing alarm systems and equipment to ensure readiness.
• Responding to emergencies: Traveling to fire or other emergencies by vehicle and locating water mains as needed.
• Operating firefighting equipment: Effectively using hose pipes, ladders, and various fire extinguishing appliances such as chemical, foam, gas, or powder.
• Rescuing individuals: Assisting in the rescue of people or animals trapped due to fire or other emergencies, including flooding, and providing first aid as necessary.
• Mitigating damage: Removing goods from fire-damaged premises, clearing excess water, and addressing structural hazards to minimize property damage.
• Handling hazardous situations: Responding to bomb alerts and managing accidents that involve the spillage of hazardous substances.
• Advising on fire safety: Offering recommendations for fire safety measures in new buildings.
• Supervising a watch: Overseeing and managing a team of firefighters during operations.

Fire Service Officers play a vital role in community safety, emergency response, and the protection of life and property in the event of fire or other emergencies.

Eligibility to Hire Fire service officers (watch manager and below) (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Fire service officers (watch manager and below) must exhibit a strong commitment to fire safety and emergency response, fulfilling specific qualifications and experience criteria. These may include:

• Fire Safety Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of statutory fire safety regulations and procedures for identifying potential fire hazards.
• Certification: Relevant fire safety certifications and qualifications, such as Fire Safety Inspector or National Firefighter Registration.
• Emergency Response Experience: Documented experience in responding to emergencies, including firefighting and rescue operations.
• First Aid Training: Certification in first aid and CPR to effectively administer medical assistance in emergency situations.
• Operational Competency: Proficiency in the operation of firefighting equipment, including hoses, ladders, and extinguishing agents (chemical, foam, gas, powder).
• Leadership Skills: Experience in supervising teams and coordinating fire drills, equipment tests, and emergency response initiatives.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for advising on fire safety measures and reporting incidents.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3313 and that the fire service officer's experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and below): A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) under SOC Code 3313.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Fire service officers (watch manager and  below), your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Fire service officers (watch manager and  below). This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Fire service officers (watch manager and below) applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Fire service officers (watch manager and below)’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

Before the Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Fire service officers (watch manager and below)’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Fire service officers (watch manager and below) holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Fire service officers (watch manager and below)’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Fire service officers (watch manager and below)’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Fire service officers (watch manager and  below)s.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

Sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) under SOC Code 3313 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and  below), get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Fire service officers (watch manager and  below) under SOC Code 3313 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.