Emergency Response Officer
Location: Dorset / Wiltshire (regularly working from the Dorset or Wiltshire office)
Salary: £27,000 to £28,811 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent
UK Manual Driving Licence held for a minimum of 2 years and access to a vehicle is mandatory
Additional Requirements: To be considered for this role, candidates must currently reside in the Dorset or Wiltshire area. If you are planning to relocate, please clearly state this in your supporting statement. Relocation expenses are not payable by the British Red Cross.
Are you ready to make a real difference in people's lives during their most critical moments?
Do you thrive in dynamic environments where every day brings new challenges and rewards?
Could you lead and inspire a dedicated team of volunteers to help those in crisis?
As an Emergency Response Officer with the British Red Cross, every day brings new challenges and rewards. You will be regularly travelling between our sites located across Dorset and Wiltshire. You'll be working closely with the Senior Emergency Response Officer (SERO) in coordinating the vital services that support those in need before, during and after emergencies. Your day might start with organising the operational readiness of volunteers, conducting audits of essential supplies, or liaising with local authorities and emergency services to build resilience in the community. You'll lead and inspire volunteers, ensuring they meet competency and quality standards. Whether it’s attending meetings or handling the coordination of emergency call-outs at any hour, your role is dynamic and impactful. Together with a dedicated team, you'll make a real difference in people's lives, bringing hope and relief during their most vulnerable moments. Does this sound like you? Apply now!
What will a day in the life of an Emergency Response Officer involve? You'll be:
- Overseeing the recruitment, induction, and training of new volunteers, and providing ongoing leadership and support to ensure high standards are met.
- Participating in key meetings with local resilience forums and emergency planning teams to advise and assist their initiatives.
- Engaging with local authorities, fire and rescue services, and community organisations to strengthen relationships and enhance community resilience.
- Conducting thorough audits of equipment, vehicles, and supplies to ensure everything is operationally ready for any emergency situation.
- Using data and identifying trends to improve new and existing services to expand the role and impact of the Red Cross.
- Regularly working evenings, whether it’s conducting volunteer meetings or training sessions. In addition, you will be part of a 24-hour on-call rota, ready to support volunteers and manage emergency situations at a moment’s notice.
What will you need to be a successful Emergency Response Officer?
- Excellent communication skills at a variety of levels.
- To be highly motivated and well-organised with a positive, can-do attitude, thriving whilst working independently and be comfortable with home working.
- An understanding of how to improve service quality for the benefit of users and to develop services in line with needs.
- Demonstrate strong IT proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Office, including experience in email management, word processing, and spreadsheet packages.
- Have experience of maintaining effective working relationships internally and externally.
- Ability and willingness to work unsociable hours, respond to emergency situations with 24-hour on-call duties, and have regular access to a vehicle.
- Possess a full UK drivers licence for at least 2 years
- Exhibit a strong commitment to working with volunteers. Provide training and support to empower them in responding to local incidents while upholding the values of the British Red Cross.
Interested? Closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 28th September 2025.
In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:
- Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
- Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
- Flexible working: We do our best to accommodate your preferred work style.
- Learning & Development: Wide range of career opportunities + comprehensive learning.
- Discounts: Access to Blue Light Discount Card and employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to mental health and wellbeing assistance.
- Team Working: Support our mission in a collaborative team.
- Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.
- Season ticket loan: Interest-free loan for commuting expenses.
At The British Red Cross, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our staff and volunteers. We remain committed to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination. We do this through regular data reporting, and the support of our internal Race and Equality Network (REEN), LGBT+ Network, our Disability and Wellness Network (DAWN), Gender Network, Carers Network and Young Staff Network.
Together, we are the worlds emergency responders.