Health & Safety Lead Officer

Job Ref:10864

Salary Range: £40,245.94 - £48,373.97 per year pro rata

Working Pattern: 36 hours per week Variation by agreement and flexibility to maximise cover.

Location: Based in Fife House, Glenrothes. Must be able to visit sites Fife Wide, as required.

Based in the Council’s HR Department, the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team ensure that health and safety governance arrangements are in place for the Council and are monitored and audited. This includes ensuring the health and safety management system is implemented and maintained across the organisation and, also, promoting continuous improvement. As one of 5 Lead Officers in the team (3 H&S and 2 HR) you will work closely with the HR Service Manager, colleagues in the team and HR to manage health and safety risk in services and the organisation.

Fife Council is a large organisation (~18,000 employees). The operating model is a devolved one with standards and processes determined centrally through consultation. Deployment within services is supported by professional advice through H&S Consultation Forums, a help line we manage and supplemented by council wide or service-based projects identified on the basis of risk. H&S Advisers are assigned service and topic areas to build relationships and expertise but, as with any small team, Lead Officers work collectively and flexibly to balance workloads and address priorities. So, as well as involvement in resolving more complex and large-scale issues, there are opportunities to expand knowledge as we build resilience in the team.

The position offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in management and the many areas of work undertaken in a local authority. As well as taking a lead role in managing assigned remits/functions you will also have day-to-day line management of designated staff and be an active member of the Team’s leadership group.

We’re looking for someone who thrived during the pandemic! Because our work is changing, we need a Lead Officer who enjoys a professional challenge and can be flexible, innovative and pragmatic with excellent forward planning skills whilst also delivering to tight deadlines. With considerable health and safety experience in a large/multi-disciplinary organisation you’ll be educated to SCQF level 10, including a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification. Your good understanding of H&S legislation, ability to persuade and influence a range of audiences will enable you to produce clear written information as well as being an excellent negotiator. You will have a pragmatic and problem-solving approach to health and safety and be willing to learn how to deal with a wide range of issues in sometimes challenging and novel situations. You will be self-reliant, have good interpersonal skills and be IT literate.

Although the post is based in Fife House, Glenrothes, an ability to travel to sites within Fife is essential, given the nature of the role so a driving licence is preferred.

We are currently shaping our future workstyles however, in light of current advice, we are introducing blended home/office working that will include office access days each week with homeworking for the remainder of your working time.

Closing date: 12th February 2023