General Support Technician (Band 5/EO)

Overview

We are looking for a General Support Technician with experience operating plant machinery to join the Technical Support Team. This exciting opportunity will be based at the HSE Science and Research Centre, our research laboratory and unique outdoor testing facilities, in Buxton, Derbyshire. It is an excellent opportunity to use your skills to contribute to innovative work to support HSE incident investigations, and research and testing projects to directly improve the lives of people in their workplace.

The Technical Support Team is part of the Major Hazards Capability Group (MHCG) in the Science Division of HSE. The MHCG has several teams of scientists and engineers in areas including fire and explosions, hazardous materials, mechanical engineering, and materials science. These teams work on research relating to the safety of new technologies such as green energy and batteries, as well as investigating incidents. The team supports the MHCG and the wider HSE in a range of ways including building test equipment for research projects and incident investigations, and collecting and managing evidence from incident sites making this role varied and interesting.

Responsibilities

• Operation of plant machinery including the use of lifting equipment such as overhead cranes, forklift trucks, telehandlers, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs).
• Practical tasks such as moving, constructing, and decommissioning large-scale test equipment at our Buxton-base.
• Attending incident sites across Great Britain primarily to collect and escort evidence and taking responsibility for maintaining the chain of custody of evidence including keeping accurate records. It may also involve other support on site.
• General maintenance and upkeep of facilities and equipment including taking responsibility for a relevant work area.
• Supporting the management of the team\’s work including helping the team leadership to maintain safe systems of work by helping to write safety-related documents such as risk assessments.
• Acting as a safety lookout during experimental testing.
• Work with a wide range of people inside and outside of HSE including scientists, engineers, HSE Inspectors and project managers, with good interpersonal skills to build effective relationships quickly.
• This role will involve driving cars/vans to locations across Great Britain to collect and/or deliver evidence that may be used as part of a criminal investigation. This will require travel and overnight stays approximately 2-3 times per month.
• Part-time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part-time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• A full driving licence that permits driving within the UK is required.

Qualifications and Skills

• Recent experience in operation of plant machinery, e.g. forklift trucks, telehanders, tractors or mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), including safe working practices.
• Experience in general practical tasks using hand and power tools in a work context to undertake simple manufacturing, maintenance or fitting tasks.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills for professional interaction with the team and customers, using written and verbal communication.
• Ability to plan, organise, and prioritise work effectively.
• Ability to use IT at a basic level, including some experience of Microsoft Office/Microsoft365 and the ability to learn to use bespoke databases.
• Ability to work well independently and within a team toward personal and professional development.
• Willingness to work in environments including outdoors, warehouses, workshops, and offices.
• Level 2 Qualifications e.g., GCSEs, including Maths, Science and English at grades A-C or 9-4.

Working Arrangements and Requirements

• Role involves travel across Great Britain and overnight stays (approximately 2-3 times per month).
• Security and safeguarding checks may be required as part of recruitment (criminal record check and baseline personnel security standard).
• Nationality and eligibility as detailed by Civil Service guidance.
• We may provide reasonable adjustments to support applications and employment under the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).

Benefits and Other Information

• Salary: £30,167 per year, with the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme (employer contributions shown in advert).
• Learning and development tailored to your role; flexible working options; an inclusive work environment.
• Competitive pay, Civil Service pension benefits, and family-friendly policies.
• HSE benefits include Cycle to Work Scheme, EdenRed vouchers, and other staff benefits.
• Progression through pay ranges subject to annual pay awards and Civil Service pay remit guidance.

For more information on terms and conditions, diversity and inclusion, and Civil Service recruitment principles, please refer to the candidate guidance and Civil Service pages linked in the original advertisement.