Trainee Health and Safety Consultant
Fixed Term, Full Time
£25,081 to £28,614 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Please note this role is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for 2 years.
Interviews will be held in person Thursday 5th March 2026 at County Hall, Chelmsford.
The Role
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.
Under the supervision of a Lead Consultant or Manager the Trainee Health and Safety Consultant will support the team to provide health and safety advice, guidance and training to enable the organisation to ensure that statutory obligations are met. They will support a pragmatic and practical health and safety agenda and support management and the wider team 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 undertake professional training towards gaining the NEBOSH certificate and on the job training to build experience, knowledge and confidence in all areas of Health and Safety provision. Eventually being able to independently respond to stakeholder needs and delivering a service which makes a real difference to how the organisation manages health and safety risks.
Accountabilities
* Undertake professional training towards gaining the NEBOSH certificate and undertake the training programme with due diligence and commitment.
* Under supervision, contribute 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.
* Under supervision, works with stakeholders to provide a support and advice service, enabling them to effectively manage health and safety hazards associated with Council activities and its commissioned services.
* Support colleagues in reviewing health and safety policies and guidance, using this as an opportunity to gain knowledge.
* Support colleagues to deliver health and safety training across the council, including ECC controlled schools, and to external clients, using this as an opportunity to gain experience and build confidence.
* Support colleagues to carry out health and safety management audits to ensure compliance with health and safety law and ECC policy, using the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience.
* Under supervision, support stakeholders to ensure health and safety best practice, industry standards and statutory requirements are met, including addressing queries provided from the support desk
* Supports stakeholders in the use of health and safety management systems, including, support desk cover as required by the needs of the service.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Educated to A-level standard or above.
* Evidence of ability to learn quickly to acquire professional and expert knowledge in Health and Safety in a Local Authority context.
* Ability to work in a health and safety related role within a complex organisation.
* Excellent customer service skills with the ability to build relationships by engaging with services.
* Ability to write clear reports and communicate well face to face.
* With training, ability to deliver Health and Safety training.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services
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.
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.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to
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
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