Head of Health and Safety

Head of Health and Safety post in the Health and Safety department of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, reporting to the Strategic Leadership Team. The role advises senior leaders and the Fire Authorities on safety performance and risk, supports projects and organisational change, and acts as the senior contact for the HSE. The job involves significant travel, site visits and use of your own vehicle, so driving is essential. Candidates without a Level 6 health and safety qualification must commit to NEBOSH study within set timeframes.

What the job involves

• Advise senior leadership and the Fire Authorities on safety performance, risk exposure and investment needed for compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Provide strategic health and safety direction to Service projects, programmes and organisational change
• Work with project leads and stakeholders so health and safety risks and requirements are considered from development through to implementation
• Act as the senior point of contact for the HSE on the Service's health and safety arrangements
• With the competent H&S Advisers, provide technical advice, statutory notifications and responses to the HSE

Qualifications

• Recognised health and safety qualification, or commitment to the NEBOSH National General Certificate (or equivalent) within 12 months of appointment
• Where no relevant Level 6 qualification is held, commitment to the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma (or equivalent) within 36 months of appointment

Experience

• Developing, reviewing and improving policies, procedures, frameworks, systems or management arrangements within a complex organisation

Skills & knowledge

• Applying health and safety and risk management principles across operational and corporate settings, including learning from incidents, investigations, exercises and audits

Checks & eligibility

• Full current driving licence
• Standard DBS check before any offer of employment
• Right to work in the UK
• Identity checks, medical and satisfactory references before any offer of employment
• Verification of employment history, with an explanation of any gaps in the last 3 years

Other

• Ability to meet the significant travel requirements, including in-person meetings, site visits, BS ISO 45001 inspection sites and quarterly H&S Committee meetings
• Use of your own vehicle required, though a Service vehicle may be available (predominantly manual)
• Adherence to a Health Surveillance Programme and an occupational health appointment for baseline readings on appointment

What’s offered

• Flexi time scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Family friendly schemes, including 39 weeks' full pay during maternity leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Health and well-being services
• Reasonable adjustments available for applicants unable to drive due to disability

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