At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect construction sites, assess risks, and ensure compliance with health and safety laws.
- Company: Join the Health and Safety Executive, the UK's leading workplace safety regulator.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on construction safety and protect lives with your engineering expertise.
- Qualifications: Civil or structural engineering degree and experience in construction safety standards.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous development and career growth in a vital public service role.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 58000 £ per year.
The Health and Safety Executive is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We’re dedicated to protecting people and places, ensuring everyone can lead safer and healthier lives at work. We are now looking for two individuals from construction engineering backgrounds to retrain as Specialist Inspectors and join us on a full-time, permanent basis. Please note, the first post must be based in London, whilst the second post can be based in Bootle, Buxton, Carlisle, Crewe, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield, or Wrexham.
The Benefits
- Salary of £55,063 – £66,338 per annum
- Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme (with an employer contribution of 28.97%)
- Family-friendly policies and flexible working hours to support work/life balance
- 25 days’ annual leave increasing to 30 after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
- Parental leave benefits
- Access to additional benefits, including the Cycle to Work Scheme and E-Gift Cards via EdenRed
This is a fantastic opportunity for a construction engineering professional to re‑focus their career and take on an inspector position with our essential organisation. Here, your professional judgement won’t just guide projects, it will guide the future of construction safety. Supported by expert colleagues and continuous development, you’ll build a uniquely impactful career rooted in public purpose, technical excellence, and real‑world responsibility. You’ll be supported through a Specialist Training Programme (STP) to gain the skills and expertise to become a safety inspector. You will enrol on the STP and undertake a combination of study, practical experience and a final assessment, ensuring you are equipped to operate at the forefront of your specialist area. So, if you’re ready to use your engineering expertise to protect lives and shape the future of construction safety, we want to hear from you!
The Role
As a Specialist Inspector, after completing our Specialist Training Programme, you will ensure employers across Great Britain manage engineering risks safely and comply with health and safety law. You’ll play a key role in influencing best practice across the construction sector, whether assessing complex sites, investigating incidents, or providing authoritative technical advice that helps keep workers and the public safe. Carrying out inspections and investigations across a variety of workplaces, you will cover major infrastructure projects and smaller construction sites, identifying hazards and driving improvements in safety standards. Drawing on your engineering knowledge, you’ll analyse the causes of construction-related incidents, provide expert technical reports to support legal cases, and give evidence in court when required.
Additionally, you will:
- Inspect workplaces to assess risk management and compliance with the law
- Lead technical investigations into construction and structural incidents
- Provide specialist written reports and expert witness testimony in court
- Share insights to support policy development, research, and industry guidance
Please note, enrolment in the Specialist Training Programme (STP) is a legal requirement that you will be required to study for and successfully complete.
About You
- A breadth of Civil and Structural Engineering experience, including knowledge of site processes and techniques
- Experience that demonstrates professional responsibility for engineering activities
- Experience working to UK safety standards in a construction environment
- Knowledge of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
- An understanding of contractual appointments and the design, specification and practical application of design decisions on site
- The ability to use appropriate theoretical and practical methods in applying first principles to analyse problems and develop engineering solutions
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent) relevant to civil or structural engineering
- To be a Chartered Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers or Institution of Structural Engineers and be registered with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer (membership of other professional bodies will be considered)
- A full, valid driving licence
Please note, you will be expected to spend occasional periods working away from home, which will include overnight stays. The closing date for this role is 5th January 2026.
Specialist Inspector – Construction Engineering in Carlisle employer: Health and Safety Executive
Contact Detail:
Health and Safety Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Inspector – Construction Engineering in Carlisle
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction engineering field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations. Familiarise yourself with the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015, as this will show your commitment to the role and impress your interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your experience and how it relates to the Specialist Inspector role. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Inspector – Construction Engineering in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your construction engineering experience and aligns with the role of a Specialist Inspector. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for health and safety in construction and explain why you want to join us at the Health and Safety Executive. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific projects or roles where you've demonstrated your knowledge of UK safety standards and engineering practices. We want to see how your background makes you a great fit for this position.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making a difference in construction safety.
How to prepare for a job interview at Health and Safety Executive
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Brush up on your civil and structural engineering knowledge, especially around UK safety standards and the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role of a Specialist Inspector and how you can apply your expertise to ensure safety in construction.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past. Think about specific incidents where you identified hazards or improved safety standards. This will demonstrate your ability to analyse problems and develop effective solutions, which is crucial for this role.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Specialist Inspector and how they influence construction safety. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to shaping best practices and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws. Showing that you understand the bigger picture will impress your interviewers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Specialist Training Programme and the organisation's approach to safety. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers and make a memorable impression.