At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health & safety projects and ensure staff safety across DFTO.
- Company: Join DFTO, the government’s public sector rail owning group with over 30,000 employees.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Flexible working and career development opportunities await you!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health & safety while shaping the future of railways.
- Qualifications: Must be IOSH Certified with experience in health & safety management.
The predicted salary is between 39154 - 47096 £ per year.
About DFT Operator
DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately‑owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership. DFTO has over 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 million customer journeys across its networks every year. Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership – these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeast, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Primary Purpose of Job
Contribute to successful health & safety management and strategy implementation at DFTO through providing advice and support across the organisation and leading on key health & safety projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the management of health & safety arrangements for DFTO’s internal staff, so that roles, responsibilities and obligations are clearly defined and understood by colleagues and effective measures are in place to keep staff safe.
- Contribute, supporting the Group HS&S Director, to the development of evidence‑based policies that support our TOCs to deliver improved health and safety performance.
- Organise and develop central DfTO H&S policies that set the framework for our staff to stay safe and healthy whilst at work.
- Lead the development of health and safety risk assessments that underpin the DfTO health and safety arrangements that evidence that our policies are correctly developed.
- Organise and manage key health & safety data, monitoring the effectiveness and adoption of DfTO health and safety policies.
- Make suitable recommendations to DfTO leaders to enable them to effectively implement the health and safety arrangements that keep staff safe.
- Work with Network Rail to implement the Network Rail accident reporting system into DfTO.
- Maintain and update the accident reporting system to produce progress reports, so that stakeholders have timely and reliable information.
- Produce management information and support governance and reporting processes on behalf of the Group HS&S Director.
- Identify process gaps and propose improvements within DfTO health and safety system, so that efficiency and compliance are enhanced.
- Contribute to lessons‑learned reviews and lead case‑specific reviews after safety projects or incidents, so that future processes are improved.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
- Must be a member of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) at Certified (CertIOSH) level or above.
- Significant experience in the successful management of HSEA issues within industry, and a strong understanding of how management systems operate.
- Experience of undertaking health & safety risk assessments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting reports and risk assessments.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to liaise effectively with internal and external colleagues as well as experts when required.
- Background in health and safety.
Desirable
- Rail knowledge is useful but not essential.
- NEBOSH diploma or equivalent.
- Knowledge of Behavioural Change techniques.
- Knowledge of risk assessment systems and processes.
- Working knowledge of rules, regulations and standards applicable to workplace health and safety.
Vacancy Details
- Duration: Fixed Term contract/secondment until October 2027
- Location: Hybrid London Waterloo / Leeds
- Salary: £39,154 - £47,096
- Closing date: 8th June 2026
DFTO Benefits
- Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days).
- DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.
- Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.
Recruitment Process
We are an inclusive employer of choice and welcome applications from everyone. We encourage flexible working and are committed to helping our colleagues invest in their careers and maintain a healthy work‑life balance.
Contact
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CVs to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
Health and Safety Advisor in Leeds employer: DfT Operator
DFT Operator is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises health and safety while fostering employee growth through extensive training and networking opportunities within the rail industry. With a commitment to public service and a flexible working environment, employees enjoy generous benefits including up to 30 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in a dynamic sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Health and Safety Advisor in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, or local meet-ups related to health and safety. It's a great way to meet people in the field and get your name out there. Plus, you never know who might have a lead on a job!
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn! Make sure your profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills in health and safety. Engage with posts, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals in the rail industry. It’s all about visibility!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching DFTO and its health and safety initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in making a difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the DFTO team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying – a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Health and Safety Advisor in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in health and safety. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; explain how your skills, like risk assessment and communication, have made a difference in your previous roles. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our website. It ensures your application gets to the right place and helps us keep track of everything. Don’t forget to hit that 'Apply' button!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Health & Safety Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your health and safety knowledge, especially around risk assessments and management systems. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and standards applicable to workplace health and safety, as this will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial for this role, prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated health and safety policies in the past. Bring examples of reports or presentations you've created that demonstrate your ability to convey complex information clearly.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Evidence-Based Policies
DFTO values evidence-based approaches, so think about how you can contribute to developing policies that improve health and safety performance. Prepare to share any experiences where you've successfully implemented or contributed to similar initiatives.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
With strong organisational skills being a key requirement, be prepared to talk about how you manage multiple projects or tasks. Share specific examples of how you've kept track of health and safety data and ensured compliance with policies in previous roles.
