Health and Safety Advisor

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government service in Ipswich is seeking a Health and Safety Advisor to support the development and implementation of safety policies. You will provide expert advice, conduct audits, and promote a positive safety culture. Candidates should hold a National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and have strong communication skills. This role offers flexible working options and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related annual pay progression

Training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in a health and safety advisory role.
• Additional qualifications such as Manual Handling Assessor or Incident Command Safety training are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist health and safety advice across the service.
• Conduct and support incident investigations.
• Deliver training on investigations and manual handling.
• Carry out audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Support operational crews with dynamic risk assessments.
• Engage with teams across the service and external partners.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and proactive risk management.

Skills

Health and safety advisory role

Strong IT skills

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Proactive and collaborative

Education

National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH)

Level 3 equivalent

Job description

Overview

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service - Suffolk County Council

Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid

Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week (Flexible working options available)

Contract: Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we are driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. When you join Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as a Health and Safety Advisor, you will be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Health and Safety Advisor, you will play a key role in supporting the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of health and safety policies, procedures, and practices across Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). You will provide expert advice and guidance to ensure compliance with legislation, promote a positive safety culture, and help reduce risk to operational staff, support teams, and members of the public.

You will:

• provide specialist health and safety advice across the service
• conduct and support incident investigations
• deliver training on investigations and manual handling
• carry out audits, inspections, and risk assessments
• support operational crews with dynamic risk assessments
• engage with teams across the service and external partners
• promote a culture of continuous improvement and proactive risk management

You will need

• National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH) or Level 3 equivalent (essential).
• Strong IT skills to access documents and legislation.
• Experience in a health and safety advisory role.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• To be proactive, approachable, and collaborative.
• Additional qualifications such as Manual Handling Assessor or Incident Command Safety training are desirable.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don\'t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Join our collaborative team that supports Health, Safety, and Wellbeing across the service. We work with crew members, leaders, and partners to ensure best practices and safety from fire stations to offices. We are proactive, innovative, and committed to keeping the service confident and compliant in dynamic, high-risk settings.

Empowering Everyone

We\'re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

If you have any questions about the role and your suitability, please contact Simon Paterson by emailing: [e-mail] or by calling 01473 265525.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions (no more than 400 words per question). Use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Describe your experience with health and safety management systems.
2. Tell me about a time you collaborated with others to solve a health and safety challenge.
3. Can you describe a time when you developed or improved a health and safety policy or procedure?
4. Describe how you\'ve demonstrated fairness and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in your work when resolving a health and safety issue.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. Present your own work and ideas throughout the process.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 5 October 2025.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer flexible working options to reflect the way people work today and support your individual needs. We\'re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

Benefits

• Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• Diverse and active staff networks
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.suffolk.gov.uk).