Health & Safety Consultant

Dorset Council; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organisation in Dorchester is seeking a qualified health and safety professional to provide expert advice and ensure compliance across various council services and schools. The role involves conducting inspections, developing policies, and promoting safety culture. Applicants should hold a NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth. This position requires travel and access to transport, working closely with staff and vulnerable individuals.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Support for professional development

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Qualified health and safety professional.
• Experience in a large or complex organisation.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide health and safety advice to managers and employees.
• Conduct inspections and audits.
• Perform accident and incident investigations.
• Develop and review safety policies and guidance.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture.

Skills

Strong knowledge of health and safety law

Ability to apply legislation practically

Communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Relationship building

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

This is a chance to use your health and safety expertise in a role with real variety and impact, supporting a large and diverse organisation to keep people safe, well and supported at work. You'll work across council services, schools, academies and external partners, with clear development and progression opportunities, including support to continue your professional development and work towards chartered status.

Responsibilities

You’ll provide high‑quality, practical health and safety advice to managers and employees, helping services meet their legal responsibilities while applying proportionate and sensible risk management. Your work will include inspections, audits, accident and incident investigations, developing and reviewing policies and guidance, analysing data and trends, and promoting a positive health and safety culture across the organisation. You’ll also contribute to training delivery, support procurement and equipment safety, and work collaboratively with colleagues across HR and the wider council to ensure health and safety is embedded in everyday practice.

Qualifications & Experience

You’ll be a qualified health and safety professional with strong knowledge of health and safety law and good practice, ideally gained within a large or complex organisation. You’ll hold a NEBOSH General Certificate at Grade 9 or a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent at Grade 10, with a clear commitment to ongoing CPD and professional growth. You’ll be confident building relationships, communicating clearly, solving problems and applying legislation in a practical, balanced way, while managing competing priorities and working with a high degree of autonomy.

Travel & Working Conditions

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed. This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Benefits

• Providing essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• Working in partnership to make a real difference
• Valuing every role and the impact it has on our communities
• Supporting our employees to grow, develop and thrive
• Being part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• Having access to a range of benefits and support
• Receiving training and development opportunities to help your career progress

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible; if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

Location & Working Conditions

This role is UK‑based. We will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. If you are passionate about making a difference, we'd love you to join us.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.