Asbestos Officer in Cambridge

The Asbestos Officer plays a key technical and coordination role in the effective management of asbestos across the Trust’s estate. You will work under the operational direction of the Asbestos Authorised Person (AP) and support the delivery, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Trust’s Asbestos Management Plan, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, national guidance, and Trust procedures.

The role acts as the primary point of contact for operational asbestos-related matters and provides structured coordination of asbestos surveys, re-inspections, remedial works, and associated documentation. The postholder will work closely with the Trust's appointed Asbestos Consultant, Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors, Estates teams, and other stakeholders to ensure asbestos information is accurate, current, and effectively used to support safe decision-making.

With a strong focus on technical data oversight, programme coordination, and compliance assurance, the Asbestos Officer contributes to performance monitoring, audit activity, training compliance, and incident investigation processes. The role provides professional and technical support to the Asbestos AP, helping to maintain effective control of asbestos risks across the estate, while supporting planned works and day-to-day operational activity.

Main duties of the job

• Assist the Asbestos AP in implementing and monitoring the annual asbestos work programme.
• Prepare progress updates and contribute to reports for the Asbestos Management Group, including identifying areas for further action.
• Support planning and scheduling of asbestos surveys, re-inspections, and removals in line with HSG 264, HSG 247, and Trust policy.
• Ensure asbestos survey and risk assessment information is readily available to Trust staff, maintenance teams, and contractors.
• Monitor MiCAD updates completed by the appointed asbestos management contractor, ensuring all associated documents (air monitoring certificates, waste consignment notes, and clearance records) are correctly uploaded and referenced.
• Maintain version control and assist in periodic validation of asbestos data accuracy.
• Maintain and track asbestos permit-to-work requests.
• Liaise with the appointed asbestos management contractor and Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs) to coordinate site access, ensure timely completion of statutory inspections and removal works, and verify documentation received.
• Support supervising officers in arranging refurbishment and demolition surveys where required, ensuring appropriate notifications and records are maintained.
• Raise sampling requests for suspected materials and ensure analytical results are logged and communicated appropriately.

Person specification

• HNC / HND in Building Studies, Construction, Estates Management, Health & Safety, or a related technical discipline.
• Equivalent level of knowledge and experience gained through relevant Estates, compliance, or building-related roles.
• BOHS P402 (Surveying and Sampling Strategies for Asbestos in Buildings) or willingness to work towards.
• NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely, or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Technical qualifications relevant to healthcare estates or the built environment.
• Experience of working within a building maintenance, estates, compliance, or project coordination role in a complex environment (e.g. healthcare, education, local authority, or commercial estates).
• Experience of coordinating contractors works programmes, or compliance-related activities.
• Experience of maintaining and managing technical records, reports, or statutory documentation.
• Experience working within NHS or public sector estates.
• Experience supporting asbestos management arrangements, surveys, re-inspections, or remedial works.
• Experience using CAFM systems or asset/compliance management databases (e.g. MiCAD or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of building fabric systems and estates maintenance practices.
• Understanding of statutory compliance requirements relevant to estates management, including health and safety legislation.
• Awareness of asbestos legislation, guidance, and best practice (e.g. Control of Asbestos Regulations, HSG 264, HSG 247).
• Detailed knowledge of asbestos management arrangements within complex estates.
• Understanding of healthcare environments and the operational risks associated with acute hospital settings.
• Awareness of related compliance systems such as fire safety, ventilation, water safety, or permit-to-work systems.
• Ability to coordinate and monitor technical activities and compliance programmes.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities.
• Ability to interpret technical information, reports, and survey data.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to liaise with contractors, Estates teams, and clinical/non-clinical staff.
• Good IT skills, including the use of databases, spreadsheets, and document management systems.
• Ability to contribute to audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
• Experience preparing reports or briefing information for Estates or governance meetings.
• Ability to identify data quality issues and support corrective actions.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.