Health & Safety Consultant
Permanent, Full Time
£35,525 - £41,794 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 11th January 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office at least 2-3 days per month, and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
Join one of the UK’s largest local authorities and make a real impact on the lives of thousands of employees and residents.
This is a unique opportunity to work at scale, influencing health and safety across diverse environments – from corporate offices to frontline services such as highways, waste, recycling, education and social care.
No two days are the same – you’ll tackle complex challenges across multiple sectors. Your work will safeguard thousands of employees and residents, making a tangible difference every day.
Access extensive training, development programs and career progression within a large, forward-thinking organisation. If you’re a proactive, solutions-focused professional with a strong understanding of health and safety legislation, we’d love to hear from you.
The Corporate Health and Safety Team provides expertise in all health and safety related matters and is focused on supporting the Council’s arrangements for complying with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislation.
The Health and Safety Consultant will provide health and safety advice, guidance and training to enable the organisation to ensure that statutory obligations are met. They will support a pragmatic health and safety agenda and support management to ensure that the council has arrangements in place for the effective management of health, safety and welfare, contributing to a strong and positive health and safety culture and awareness across the Council.
This role will build effective stakeholder relationships which encourage collaboration and inform decision making. Understanding and responding to stakeholder needs and delivering a service which makes a real difference to how the organisation manages health and safety risks.
Accountabilities
* Contributes to the delivery of the health and safety advisory provision, to support a positive health and safety culture across the council and promote health and safety awareness and good practice to stakeholders.
* Works collaboratively with stakeholders to provide a support and advice service, as well as the necessary tools and guidance enabling them to effectively manage health and safety hazards associated with Council activities and its commissioned services.
* Reviewing health and safety policies and guidance which are well communicated and understood across the Council.
* Delivers health and safety training across the council, including ECC controlled schools, and to external clients.
* Responsible for carrying out health and safety management audits to ensure compliance with health and safety law and ECC policy, delivering reports to highlight findings and recommendations and escalating concerns where necessary. This includes liaising with enforcing authorities when necessary.
* Works closely with stakeholders to ensure health and safety best practice, industry standards and statutory requirements are met, including addressing queries provided from the support desk and proactively contributing to the marketing of Health and Safety services.
* Acting as a subject matter expert for health and safety, works closely with the team to provide updates and share their knowledge.
* Supporting Functions in the delivery of H&S committee meetings.
* Supports stakeholders in the use of health and safety management systems, including support desk cover as required by the needs of the service.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
* Educated to NEBOSH Certificate or NQF/QCF Level3 or above
* Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
* Has experience of working in a health and safety related role within a complex organisation.
* Excellent customer service skills with experience of building collaborative relationships by engaging with services and influencing decision making.
* Proven track record of carrying out risk assessments, inspections audits and writing reports.
* Experience of delivering health and safety training.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services - Working for Essex
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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