Appointment type Permanent Full time/part time Full time Job category EHSS\&Q Flexible working available? No Location Dounreay Salary range £26,807 to £37,030 Posted Date 18/05/2026 Closing Date 01/06/2026 Reference 158/26

Firefighter/Ambulance Technician

Join a highly skilled emergency response team at the heart of one of the UK’s most unique operational environments. NRS Dounreay is looking for two fully qualified, dedicated, resilient, and community-focused professionals to deliver critical fire, rescue and ambulance support across the Dounreay and Vulcan sites, as well as the surrounding area. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline emergency response with specialist training and development in a technically advanced setting.

Working within Dounreay Fire, Ambulance \& Rescue Service (DFARS), you’ll play a vital role in protecting people, assets and the environment while contributing to a culture of safety, preparedness and operational excellence. You’ll be part of a day shift watch, with opportunities to provide additional cover when needed, supported by a pensionable shift allowance and ongoing professional development.

What you'll be doing:

You’ll take on a varied and impactful role, responding to incidents and maintaining operational readiness while supporting both on-site and community safety initiatives.

• Respond to a wide range of incidents including fires, rescues, ambulance calls and specialist services, ensuring rapid and professional emergency response
• Deliver and support training for emergency teams, site personnel and local responders, including first aid, breathing apparatus and rope rescue
• Maintain equipment, vehicles and operational readiness through inspections, testing and adherence to DFARS procedures
• Contribute to exercises, drills and continuous improvement, ensuring preparedness for major incidents on and off-site

What you'll bring:

You’re a calm, capable professional who thrives under pressure and is motivated by teamwork, safety and continuous development.

• SVQ Emergency Fire Service: Operations in the Community SCQF level 7 / SFJ Awards or equivalent fulltime firefighter qualification
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to safety and decision-making
• Physically fit and able to meet demanding health and fitness standards required for emergency response roles - see post specific physical capability analysis
• Experience in an emergency response environment is desirable, along with a willingness to develop into specialist roles such as ambulance practitioner and rope rescue operator
• Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) the Dounreay site and its decommissioning context, with a commitment to ongoing training and development

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing Monday 8 June 2026, however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact [email protected] at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.