HM Specialist Inspector - Electrical, Control & Cyber Security (ECCS)

Overview

If you want a job that is a change from the norm, then consider a role as an ECCS Specialist Inspector where you\’ll secure the future safety of the public and people in these industries. The role involves electrical, control and cyber security expertise and provides tools, skills and knowledge to develop as an expert HSE inspector in Cyber Security. Development in both legal and technical skills is a focus of these roles.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain\’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. Our role goes beyond worker protection to include public assurance. We work to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work and, in their environment. Great Britain\’s health and safety record is the envy of much of the world. Central to this is our work to protect people by managing risk in a proportionate and effective way, supporting innovation and increasing productivity. HSE leads the way but doesn\’t act alone. Working in partnership is one of our strengths. It is at the heart of how we protect workers and the public. We are firm and fair when using our legal powers. Inspection helps us check that serious risks are managed sensibly. When things go wrong, investigation helps us get to the truth and learn lessons. We hold employers to account for their failures and get answers for victims and make workplaces safer. The benefits that our work brings to business, workers and the UK economy are clear. Improved health and safety risk management protects workers and translates into reduced sickness absence, lower healthcare and welfare costs, and better productivity.

Responsibilities

• Inspect a variety of major hazard installations, either on your own or as part of an expert team, to ensure risks associated with industrial control systems are suitably managed and 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.
• Produce technical inspection reports that identify risk gaps and instances of non-compliance with the law.
• Take suitable enforcement action to address significant risk gaps on operator sites (e.g., prohibiting processes or activities).
• Forensic analysis of electrical or control system elements of accidents to identify root causes; lead the technical aspects of the investigation and support legal enforcement actions to prevent recurrence.
• Provide expert opinion on the management of industrial control systems; act as a specialist investigator or expert witness at tribunals, inquests and legal proceedings when required.
• Assess Safety Reports to ensure effective risk management and identify priority areas for inspection.
• Advise colleagues on technical matters outside their area of expertise (e.g., electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres) and compare conditions with minimum legal requirements and good practice.
• Liaise with government departments, the public, industry, professional bodies and trade associations to secure intelligence and contribute to policy, guidance on functional safety, electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres and cyber security for IACS.
• Drive improvements in technical and operational standards nationally and promote better health and safety at UK forums and conferences.

Training and development

Specialist Training Programme (STP): You will be supported to understand your role in HSE, develop your skills and progress your professional development. You will be enrolled on the STP and will study for a formal assessment. Ongoing technical CPD and training in core subject areas is a focus. For Cyber Security specifically, HSE provides a full development package to assess this topic in line with HSE Operational Guidance (OG86) and relevant standards such as IEC 62443.

Working arrangements

Given that HSE regulates sites across the whole of the United Kingdom, you will be expected to spend short periods away from home with overnight stays. Inspectors work as part of a national team, travel around the UK to land-based high hazard sites, typically visiting duty holder sites in office environments and on process plants. This is followed by time analysing findings and producing technical reports. You may appear in court as an expert witness or work with committees on new Standards to drive improvements in industry. Enforce compliance with the law using appropriate powers, supported by world-class training.

Requirements and qualifications

• Previous experience in a Technical Engineering role.
• Experience in communication and influence across different levels, including senior management, translating technical details for a non-technical audience.
• Experience producing detailed, clear technical reports and presenting technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Strategic thinking, issue identification, and the ability to persuade and influence across levels.
• Broad and deep experience working in a Major Hazards / High Consequence / COMAH environment.
• A relevant degree in Electrical, Electronic or Control Engineering.
• Memberships: Chartered by the IET or eligible to become chartered; if eligible to become chartered while in post, indicate YES in the application.

Behaviours and technical skills

• Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing; Making Effective Decisions.
• Technical skills: Track record in selection, design, commissioning, operation and maintenance of process control and safety instrumented systems (SIS) in relevant onshore major hazard installations (e.g., petrochemical); practical experience with electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres (Ex); knowledge of Relevant Good Practice (RGP) such as BS EN 61511, BS EN 60079.

Benefits and rewards

• Salary: £71,171 plus £20,618 towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme; employer contributions 28.97% to the Civil Service Pension.
• Learning and development tailored to your role; flexible working options; inclusive culture.
• Pension, family-friendly policies, carer-friendly policies, and 25 days annual leave (30 after 5 years) plus bank holidays and Civil Service privilege leave.
• Parental leave benefits and access to benefits such as Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers.

Additional information

Other notes: Driving licence required; HSE may conduct additional checks (including Google and social media) as part of recruitment; Internal Fraud Hub checks may apply; disability accommodations available; nationality requirements apply; Civil Service recruitment standards; diversity and inclusion commitments.