HR Administrative Support

Salary:  £29,071 - £33,119) per annum, Grade 3

Hours:  Full Time - 37 hours per week

Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading (Office Based Role)

Benefits: Excellent annual leave allowance of 25 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available

Other information about our benefits can be found here

We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our HR team on a six-month fixed-term basis.

This is a varied role where you will provide essential administrative support across a range of HR activities, helping us to provide an efficient and responsive service to our colleagues across the organisation. You’ll support everything from maintaining employee records and managing HR processes through to recruitment, onboarding, leavers and DBS checks.

As well as supporting the day-to-day running of the HR service, you’ll have the opportunity to help us review and improve the way we work. This will include maintaining clear processes and trackers, identifying opportunities to streamline administrative tasks and helping to embed improvements across the team.

This would be a great opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills who is looking to gain or build on their experience within a busy HR environment.

We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable and has a keen eye for detail. You’ll be comfortable managing different priorities, following processes accurately and seeing tasks through to completion.

You’ll enjoy working as part of a team but will also be confident managing your own workload. As you’ll be handling employee information, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality are particularly important.

Previous administrative experience is essential, along with good Microsoft Office skills and experience of working in an office environment. An understanding of HR would be beneficial, and a CIPD Level 3 qualification or equivalent HR experience is desirable, but not essential.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is positive, proactive and willing to get stuck in, with the flexibility to support the team wherever needed.

• Providing accurate and efficient administrative support across a range of HR processes.
• Maintaining employee records and physical and digital files, ensuring information is accurate, organised and kept up to date.
• Supporting key HR activities including recruitment, onboarding, leavers and DBS checks.
• Monitoring HR workflows and trackers, following up outstanding actions and carrying out routine data-quality checks.
• Supporting the review and improvement of HR administrative processes, procedures, checklists and templates.
• Handling confidential employee information appropriately and in accordance with data protection requirements.

• Previous experience working in an administrative role and an office environment.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and related packages.
• Excellent attention to detail with a methodical and organised approach to work.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow processes and instructions accurately and follow tasks through to completion.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• A positive, self-motivated approach and willingness to take on new challenges.
• A general understanding of HR activities is desirable, alongside a CIPD Level 3 qualification or equivalent HR experience.

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached.

The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

If you are interested in applying for this position click Apply Now.

Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification.

Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.   

For further details about the role please contact Samar Campbell, HR Adviser (Team Leader) at campbells@rbfrs.co.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin at gavina@rbfrs.co.uk or by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.

Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CV’s without an accompanying application form.

The closing date for applications is 09:00am 21 October 2026.

It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run week commencing 2 November 2026. Candidates should ensure they are available during this period.

Anticipated start date: 9 November 2026

Please note that is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying / accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge.

Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity.  All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).

To find out more, visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Please view our Safer Recruitment Statement via this link.