Electrical Inspector in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are currently looking for an Electrical & Controls specialist with expertise in either the chemical sector or other high risk COMAH environments. This is an exciting role with a highly prestigious organisation helping to secure safety standards across a range of key UK industries and sites including oil refineries, oil and gas storage, chemicals production, and some nuclear sites based throughout the UK.

This is a permanent staff role that can be based out of an office in any of the following locations: Aberdeen, Ashford (Kent), Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bootle, Bristol, Buxton, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Chelmsford, Crewe, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxted, Plymouth, Sheffield, Wrexham, or York. Occasional travel will be required but this is otherwise a very structured and stable role with a typical schedule involving planned inspections of set sites within your region, followed by office-based report writing and further actions which will also involve hybrid possibilities working from home where office attendance is not necessary.

The role is most likely to suit experienced Electrical / EC&I candidates with knowledge and experience gained in hazardous environments, whilst possessing degree level education (or equivalent) who possess or are on their way to chartered status. The role will also involve elements of cyber security speciality but this is not a pre-requisite for applications as training will be provided in this as well as other development opportunities. This is an opportunity for experienced professionals to progress further - in a highly structured role offering great benefits and a healthy work life balance.

An annual salary up to 77K per annum is available plus benefits package including significant employers’ pension contributions (29%). Candidates will require a valid driver’s licence and eligibility to obtain security clearance (requiring 3 years previous continuous residency in the UK).

The office is responsible for the GB-wide regulation of onshore high hazard premises and installations as well as the chemicals manufacturing sector as a whole. This involves delivering regulatory interventions in workplaces, engaging with key industry stakeholders and providing assurance that major accident risks are being properly managed.

As a Specialist Inspector of Process Safety, you will use your technical knowledge and expertise to regulate major hazard industries and to influence whole sectors to improve health and safety standards, thereby helping to prevent catastrophic accidents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Inspect a variety of major hazard installations, either on your own or as part of an expert team, to make sure risks associated with industrial control systems are suitably managed and that operators comply with the law.
• Carry out technical assessment of Safety Reports provided by major hazard sites (both new and existing).
• Investigate safety related accidents and incidents involving industrial control systems in the major hazards industries.
• The production of technical inspection reports that identify risk gaps and failure(s) to comply with the law.
• Taking suitable enforcement action to address significant risk gaps on operator’s sites e.g., prohibiting processes or activities.
• Forensic analysis of the electrical or control systems elements of accidents in major hazards industries in order to identify root causes and where necessary, leading the technical aspects of the investigation, calling in other expert support and supporting legal enforcement action to prevent a recurrence.
• Provide expert opinion on the management of industrial control systems and, when required, work as a specialist investigator or expert witness at tribunals, inquests and legal proceedings.
• Assessment of Safety Reports submitted by organisations to ensure effective management of risk and identify priority areas for inspection.
• Advise colleagues on technical matters out with their area of expertise e.g., standards for electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, and how the conditions compare with minimum legal requirements and relevant good practice.
• Liaise with other Government departments, the public, industry, professional bodies and trade associations in order to secure intelligence, share information and contribute towards policy, research and guidance on functional safety, electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres and cyber security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).
• Using your expertise and experience to drive improvements in technical and operational standards nationally and to promote better health and safety at UK forums, and at relevant conferences.

From day one, you will be supported by your manager, team and wider colleagues to understand and develop in your role. We support your continuing professional development directly through training and through stakeholder support and steering. Whilst in post, you will be fully trained on all aspects of this role. Further information will be provided on what this training will entail if you are successful at interview.

Person specification:

The role of a Specialist Inspector is challenging yet rewarding and offers a breadth of work that is unique across a huge variety of industrial sites and processes. Inspectors can be involved in detailed technical analysis of safety reports on one day, inspecting complex control systems and talking with engineering staff on site the next or perhaps involved in the aftermath of a major accident, working to find out the root causes and prevent a re-occurrence.

It’s also an engineering role where you may be appearing in Court as an expert witness or perhaps working with committees on new Standards to drive improvements in industry. You’ll often have to make difficult decisions and use your enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the law, but you’ll receive world class training to give you the skills to do this.

Essential Skills and Criteria:

• Previous experience in a Technical Engineering role.
• Experience in communication and influence across different levels, including senior management within an organization, effectively translating technical details for the intended audience.
• Experience of producing detailed and clear technical reports, and present complex technical information, including those for a non-technical audience.
• Ability to think strategically, identify underlying issues, and persuade and influence individuals at all levels.
• Have a breadth and depth of experience of working in Major Hazards / High Consequence / COMAH environment.

Qualifications:

A relevant degree in Electrical, Electronic or Control Engineering.

Memberships:

Chartered by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or hold the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to become chartered by the IET (or chartered Professional Body). If you hold the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to become chartered whilst in post, please answer YES to this question within your application form.

Technical skills:

• A proven track record in the selection, design, commissioning, operation and maintenance of process control and safety instrumented systems (SIS) in a relevant industry e.g., petrochemical (or similar onshore major hazard installation).
• Practical experience of the selection, design, installation, commissioning, inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres (Ex).
• An in-depth knowledge and application of Relevant Good Practice (RGP) in the process industry sector or equivalent e.g., BS EN 61511, BS EN 60079 etc.