Specialist Inspector - Mechanical Engineering (Band 3/SEO)

Health and Safety Executive; Ashford; On-site; GBP 56,000; Part time

Job summary

A government health and safety authority in Ashford seeks a part-time Mechanical Engineering Specialist Inspector. The role involves conducting inspections, preparing enforcement actions, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in high-hazard industries, along with excellent communication skills. Salient benefits include a competitive salary of £55,063 and substantial contributions to the pension scheme.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme

25 days annual leave increasing to 30 after 5 years

Access to Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in high-hazard industries.
• Knowledge of safety management and risk control.
• Strong decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of major hazard installations.
• Prepare enforcement actions and technical reports.
• Assess compliance with safety regulations.

Skills

Membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Chartered status and registration with the Engineering Council

Strong communication skills

Ability to make effective decisions

Education

Relevant mechanical engineering qualifications

Job description

Company Overview

A key operational arm of HSE, the Chemicals, Explosives and Microbiological Hazards Division (CEMHD) regulates the UK's major hazard industries – companies whose products are essential to our everyday life, but where failures in safety management and risk control can lead to catastrophic harm to workers and the public at large. Employing around 300 professional engineers and scientists across a wide range of disciplines, we are responsible for securing safety across energy production (oil, gas and emerging technologies), chemical/pharmaceutical production and storage, as well as explosive manufacture and installations that work with biological agents.

Working Hours

Part‑time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part‑time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 27 hours per week.

Drop‑In Session

We will be hosting a drop‑in session on Friday, 5th December, 12pm‑1pm for candidates who wish to know more about the role and HSE. If you are interested, please email [e-mail] to be sent a link.

Role Overview

From the outset, you will be supported by your manager and colleagues to understand your role in HSE, develop your skills and support you in your continuing professional development. To become an effective mechanical engineering specialist inspector, it is essential that you bring to the role your existing knowledge and experience of working in a high‑hazard industry, where you have been responsible for making important decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Carrying out inspections of major hazard installations with the aim of preventing loss of containment and mechanical failure, and investigating accidents and incidents.
• Taking or supporting enforcement action, including preparing notices.
• Providing technical reports and expert evidence in legal proceedings, and contributing to the development of technical and operational strategy.
• Assessing safety reports, verifying compliance with the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH), the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and supplementary legislation.
• Representing HSE at meetings with fellow professionals, industry, standards committees, and training events, including speaking and making presentations at conferences.

Training & Development

For the legal requirements of the role, you will be enrolled on the Specialist Training Programme (STP) and required to study for and successfully complete a formal assessment. We also have a strong focus on ongoing technical CPD and training in our core subject areas.

Travel & Driving

• Frequent business travel to sites and other HSE offices, which may necessitate overnight stays.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Requirements

• Membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (or similar).
• Chartered status and registration with the Engineering Council (evidence must be provided if invited to interview).
• Alternatively, if you hold the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to become chartered, contact [e-mail] before submitting your application and detail how you meet the criteria.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Approaches of additional checks (Google, social media, internal fraud hub) may be conducted in line with Civil Service Commission Principles.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Security & Vetting

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements before appointment. The level of security needed is a security check. For baseline personnel security standard and other vetting details see the HSE vetting charter.

Progression & Benefits

Alongside a salary of £55,063, Health and Safety Executive contributes £15,951 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include learning and development tailored to your role, flexible working, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, competitive pay, access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme (HSE contributes 28.97%), family‑friendly and carer‑friendly policies, 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service plus bank holidays and 1‑day Civil Service privilege leave, parental leave benefits, and access to the Cycle to Work Scheme, E‑Gift Cards and Vouchers via a partner.

Disability Confidence Scheme

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process. If you require any assistance due to a disability or medical condition, please contact HR.Resourcing‑[e-mail].