Position: Pensions Advisor
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade F Salary £38,510 - £43,149 per annum
Location: Headquarters, Ripley
Hours: 37 hours per week, however you may occasionally need to work beyond normal office hours.
Agile working arrangements can be discussed with the successful candidate.
Department: Corporate Financial Services
Reports to: Payroll and Pensions Manager
Closing date: Midnight on Monday 09 November 2026
About Us:
At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we’re more than an emergency service - we’re a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it’s responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.
We’re proud to be one of the country’s top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated ‘Good’ in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people. We continue to strive to be an outstanding Service and we know we have more to do.
The Role:
We are seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Pensions Advisor to join our team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of pension services across both the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced pensions professional who is passionate about delivering excellent customer service, interpreting complex legislation, and ensuring compliance within a highly regulated environment. Working closely with the Payroll and Pension Manager, you will act as the Service's subject matter expert for pension-related matters, supporting members, managers, external providers, and governance arrangements including the Pension Board.
Key Responsibilities
As Pensions Advisor, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• Act as the first point of contact for the pension administration provider and monitor service delivery standards.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to managers, employees, pensioners and scheme members on pension-related matters.
• Liaise with external organisations including the Local Government Association (LGA), Scheme Advisory Board (SAB), pension administrators, auditors and regulatory bodies, and represent the organisation at regional and national pension forums.
• Coordinate the transfer of pension-related data and information between stakeholders.
• Manage ill-health retirements and appeals procedures for both FPS and LGPS members.
• Oversee and administer the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP).
• Monitor legislative developments and assist with the implementation of pension scheme changes, and compliance activities.
There will be a requirement for some travel for which a pool car will be provided.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
You will be a skilled pensions professional with substantial experience in a pension-related role. You will have a strong understanding of the Firefighters' Pension Schemes and/or the Local Government Pension Scheme, with the ability to interpret complex pension and tax legislation and apply it effectively in a practical environment. You will have experience providing accurate advice and guidance to a wide range of stakeholders, developing positive working relationships with pension administrators and external organisations, and handling sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
You will be highly organised, analytical and detail-oriented, with experience managing large and complex datasets and working confidently with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, together with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and make sound, objective decisions. A minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths at Grade C/Level 4 or above, is required. Professional membership, relevant vocational qualifications or management experience would be advantageous and demonstrate your commitment to continued professional development.
Please see the attached Job Description/Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.
What We Offer in Return:
We believe in rewarding our people with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
• Flexible working hours.
• Agile working (60% office based).
• Family friendly policies.
• Annual leave entitlement of 27 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service.
• Free, secure on-site car parking.
• Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
• Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
• Employee support networks.
• Enhanced maternity pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
• Occupational sick pay subject to length of service, increasing up to 6 months’ full & 6 months’ half after 5 years’ service.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions.
• Eligibility to join Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) offering highly beneficial tax advantages.
How to Apply:
We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
The closing date for completed applications is midnight on Monday 09 November 2026.
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 23 November 2026.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact the recruiting manager, Sarah Ottewell on 01773 305693 or sottewell@derbys-fire.gov.uk.
If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.