Senior Occupational Psychologist
Help us enable organisational change and turn research and evidence into practice that works.
We are seeking an experienced Occupational Psychologist to help West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service drive quality, people-focused organisational transformation. This is the first Occupational Psychologist practitioner role for the Service. As such, it offers a rare opportunity to shape, influence and embed occupational psychology as a strategic capability across the organisation. You will have significant autonomy to define the direction of the role and make a lasting impact.
Balancing research with real-world delivery, this role is ideal for someone who is creative, motivated and driven by making a tangible difference. You will translate scientific research into practical, inclusive and impactful solutions across the full-employee lifecycle - from early engagement and recruitment through to retirement.
Are you confident at communicating complex psychological concepts in ways everyone can understand? Can you apply psychological expertise and evidence across multiple organisational priorities? If so, we would love to hear from you.
About us: At WYFRS, our mission is simple: to keep West Yorkshire safe from fire and other emergencies. We’re proud to be one of top performing Fire & Rescue Services, with a reputation for innovation, inclusion and community impact.
Our People & Culture Strategy focuses on creating an environment where colleagues thrive, learn and feel valued. We live by the NFCC Core Code of Ethics and are committed to diversity, wellbeing and flexible working.
About the Role: As a Senior Occupational Psychologist, you will provide specialist consultancy and research across the full employee lifecycle for both operational and enabling team colleagues.
You’ll lead and influence projects across all aspects of the People and Culture Strategy, including recruitment, development, structures, talent and succession, wellbeing and organisational change; turning evidence into action and demonstrating return on investment.
Key responsibilities include (please see candidate pack for full outline):
- Identifying opportunities for occupational psychology to add business value to achieving WYFRS’ People and Culture Strategy, acting as a role model and ambassador for the profession.
- Leading end-to-end consultancy projects, delivering applied psychological research and impact evaluation to a range of initiatives.
- Advising on development and deployment of interventions across the employee lifecycle; including professional development, leadership, talent and succession, wellbeing and organisational development.
- Providing insights to support organisational policies and processes at every stage of the employee lifecycle i.e. attraction, recruitment and selection, performance and development, engagement and retention, offboarding and succession planning.
- Applying statistical analysis to a range of organisational challenges identifying patterns and trends and assuring fairness and validity throughout.
- Using impactful science communication skills to translate key concepts and occupational psychology theory into practical solutions
About You:
You will be an experienced Occupational Psychologist with strong consultancy skills and a passion for applying psychology to complex organisational challenges.
In addition to the key criteria outlined in the job description and the technical skills set out in the Government Occupational Psychology Profession Skills and Standards you must meet the Qualification, Licences and Membership requirements listed below.
You will hold:
Qualifications:
- MSc in Occupational Psychology (or equivalent titled course) approved as Stage 1 by the British Psychological Society.
- BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a Professional Doctorate in Occupational Psychology British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 (QOPS2) or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology, which confers Chartered Member with the BPS (see Memberships) and Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology (See Memberships).
Memberships:
- Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society.
- Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology, British Psychological Society.
Licences:
- Registered Occupational Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with no sanctions or restrictions or willing and eligible to apply for registration.
Occupational Psychology Skills and Standards
We have aligned our occupational psychology skills with those set by the Government Occupational Psychology Profession. We will assess the following technical skills listed in the Government Occupational Skills & Standards at Senior Psychologist level (P.15-18).occupational-psychology-profession-skills-and-standards-july-2024.pdf
- Behaviours: Ambassador
- Professional Skill: Knowledge
- Professional Skill: Consultancy
- Professional Skill: Research & Evaluation
Ready to Make a Difference?
For further details and to apply online please visit www.wyfs.co.uk/careers. Closing date for all applications is Thursday 12 February 2026.
Click here for Job Description
Click here for Guidance Document
Click here for Additional Guidance for our new E-recruitment System
All correspondence will usually be sent to your email account registered with the online recruitment system rather than by letter. Please check your email account regularly.
If after reading all of this information, you are interested in applying, please read the documents listed above for more details and click on 'Apply' for the application form.
Please note we do not accept CVs. If you are viewing this vacancy on ‘jobsindeed’ or other external platform, the only way to apply for this vacancy is to visit www.wyfs.co.uk/careers/ and complete the application form via our online Access vacancy system.
We are an equal opportunities employer; we value and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome candidates from communities that are currently under-represented at WYFRS, including women, racially and ethnically diverse applicants and applicants with disabilities. We can offer support and adjustments for candidates and staff who experience barriers to work that result from health conditions or Specific Learning Differences, such as dyslexia. We are a ‘Real Living Wage’ employer
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to the safeguarding of our staff, volunteers, visitors and the community we serve. This includes protecting vulnerable adults, children and young people from potential neglect and harm. All employees must share the same commitment.
