Job summary

Are you looking for a new challenge? We have an exciting opportunity to join our Health, Safety and Technical Training Team as H&S Manager.

Forestry England manages the public forest estate on behalf of the Forestry Commission in England.  The 254,000 hectare estate is the largest single landholding in the country, comprising over 15,000 separate properties, including some of the finest woodlands, forest and open land in England, a wide range of housing and commercial property and a variety of recreation/leisure businesses.  The properties are spread across England with management centred on 6 Forest Districts, supported by specialist business units and the National Office teams based in Bristol.

You would be joining a family of approximately 1,200 colleagues and approximately 3,000 volunteers working across a broad range of roles to help us manage the estate, spanning forestry and land management, timber harvesting, property development, recreation and events and the management of 27 visitor centres. 

Job description

This is a high profile role, reporting to the Head of Health, Safety and Technical Training, providing a framework of policy, advice and guidance to the business. It requires someone confident in engaging colleagues, dynamic with attention to detail and the ability to reduce complexity and improve standards for colleagues and customers alike. The role includes the promotion and development of a positive safety culture, managing a small team of SHE Advisers, providing technical guidance to the business on all matters of health and safety and best practice within the industry, incident investigation and developing policy and practice across the business.

The successful individual will also be responsible for providing risk management advice to other areas of the organisation and to the wider industry and business partners.

Person specification

Essential Experience:

• Managing a team to produce demonstrable results;
• Training and mentoring team members and colleagues in the wider organisation.
• Experience of providing health and safety advice and support to a complex and demanding organisational service;
• Experience of developing and applying organisation policy to ensure compliance with legislation;
• Engaging with staff at all levels to understand work programmes, share best practice and develop a positive health and safety culture;
• Leading and supporting accident investigations.

Desirable Experience:

• A good understanding of technical forestry, land management and countryside recreation;
• Experience of working closely with stakeholders to achieve discernible positive outcomes;
• Auditing against ISO standards and an understanding of the continuous improvement cycle.

 Qualifications and Professional Membership:

• As a minimum, NEBOSH certificate or equivalent;
• Chartered membership of IOSH;

 Essential Behaviours

• The ability to prioritise a diverse workload;
• The ability to analyse data and draw trends and conclusions from that;
• A proactive approach to problem solving and change management;
• The ability to engage stakeholders in a proactive and pragmatic manner;
• A drive and determination to effect change;

Other

The location of this post is negotiable but will need to be suitably located to be accessible to the Cannock Chase Training Centre, near Rugeley, for several days per week.

The role involves dealing with contacts across the UK and regular travel with overnight stays away from home will be required.

In order to undertake this role the successful applicant needs to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK.

Qualifications

Minimum NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent

Memberships

Chartered Member of IOSH or equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others