Waking Watch Specialist

Job Title: Waking Watch Specialist

Department: Waking Watch

Reports To: Operations Director

Location: Hybrid (with site visits as required)

Shift Pattern: Early and late shifts Monday – Friday with flexibility for out-of-hours and weekend support as required

Role Purpose

The Waking Watch Specialist is responsible for overseeing the Waking Watch/fire warden team who conduct 24/7 fire safety patrols in residential or commercial buildings with identified fire risks. The role ensures that the building is continually monitored for fire hazards, evacuation routes remain clear, and immediate action is taken in the event of a fire or fire alarm activation. The specialist is also responsible for compliance with fire safety procedures and liaising with residents, building management, and emergency services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the waking watch team/partners across all buildings.
• Ensure the waking watch team/partners complete regular patrols, record them accurately, and immediately report any fire risks or breaches.
• Ensure waking watch team/partners are trained on fire evacuation protocols and site-specific hazards.
• Act as the primary contact for emergency services, building management, and residents regarding fire safety concerns.
• Ensure logs, incident reports, and daily checklists are maintained in line with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct site audits and checks to ensure fire exits, alarm systems, and evacuation routes are fully functional and unobstructed.
• Ensure maintenance or safety issues are reported to building management for prompt resolution.
• Monitor team performance and work with partners to implement improvement actions as required.
• Ensure compliance with national guidance such as NFCC Waking Watch Guidance, and relevant fire safety regulations (e.g., Fire Safety Order 2005).
• Check regular reports and updates are sent to senior management or stakeholders.
• Conduct regular meetings with partners
• Conduct regular meetings with clients & senior management
• Attend and set up new deployments with partners
• Deputise for the Operations Director as and when required

Note: The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may be amended, updated, or expanded in line with organisational needs and priorities.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent observational and risk assessment abilities.
• Calm under pressure and capable of making quick decisions in emergencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail and procedural compliance.
• Proficient in report writing and use of basic IT systems (e.g., logging tools, spreadsheets).
• Flexible, proactive approach
• Full driving licence required

Bidvest Noonan is a team of 27,000 passionate and customer-focused people. We work together to deliver exceptional service and value to customers across the UK and Ireland. We recruit great people to deliver our services and we provide them with the resources, training, and direction they need to do their best work.

We always put people first. Our people are exceptional and go the extra mile to deliver outstanding services. We celebrate and recognise their successes at every opportunity. At Bidvest Noonan, we strive to make each person feel appreciated, engaged, and supported so that they can reach their potential, knowing it has a positive impact on our overall success.

Bidvest Noonan is highly committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can feel valued and respected. We are delighted to welcome applicants from our Armed Forces community and people from diverse backgrounds and identities. We will remove barriers that prospective candidates might face at any stage of our recruitment process. If you have a disability and would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact