Overview
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Health and Safety Officer
REPORTS TO: Health and Safety Locality Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Provision of specialist support and guidance with regard to Education Authority (EA) Health and Safety related matters including but not limited to Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Assessments and School Security. The postholder will also contribute to the implementation of the EA Health and Safety Statement and Policy ensuring compliance with Health and Safety and other statutory requirements.
JOB PURPOSE
The post-holder will assist the Health and Safety Locality Manager in the day to day management of implementing the Education Authority’s (EA) Health and Safety Statement and Policy across Schools and EA Corporate to ensure compliance with Health and Safety and other Statutory requirements. The post-holder will also assist the Health and Safety Locality Manager by providing a proactive Health and Safety presence in schools, to prioritise the highest risk issues and where necessary, make recommendations for improvement. In addition, the post-holder will provide specialist advice and support to schools and EA Corporate on all health, safety and security related matters in line with Northern Ireland Health and Safety Legislation and Guidance. The post-holder will work closely with EA colleagues, Schools, Department of Education (DE), External Stakeholders such as Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) to ensure continuous service improvement and delivery on key performance priorities.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Provide advice and guidance to Boards of Governors, Principals, School staff and EA Corporate staff in respect of Health and Safety legislation and safe working practices to help inform effective decision making.
* Advise Board of Governors, Principals, School staff and EA Corporate staff, on the actions necessary to provide a safe working environment in schools and to establish priorities.
* Advise and assist Boards of Governors, Principals and EA Heads of Service on implementing safety policies and procedures.
* Review, develop and ensure the implementation of EA’s portfolio of risk assessments
* Provide guidance and advice on risk assessment to schools and EA Corporate in line with health and safety legislation.
* Ensure understanding on the implementation of controls specified in risk assessments during school visits and Health and Safety inspections.
* Maintain and develop procedures for the reporting, investigation and analysis of accidents, incidents and other health and safety data.
* Respond with action as appropriate to ‘lessons learned’ correspondence from EA Claims and Insurance in support of the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
* Advise schools/EA Corporate on ‘lessons learned’ as directed by the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
* Contribute to the Investigation of accidents/incidents as required by the Health and Safety Locality Manager and make recommendations to avoid accident recurrence, ensuring legal compliance with Health and Safety Regulations.
* Liaise with various statutory bodies/agencies and take such action as is necessary to progress reports from these statutory bodies to ensure the EA complies with its legal obligations.
* Monitor any corrective action resulting from accident reports.
* Advise Boards of Governors, through Principals and EA Corporate staff, on the priorities necessary to avoid accidents or dangerous occurrences.
* The post-holder will be required to assist in providing a proactive health and safety advisory function to Schools and EA Services as and when required, under the direction of the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
* Ensure the availability of up to date and readily available information and data to support the production of reports and responses for and on behalf of EA Senior Management, EA Board Members, DE and others as required.
* Formulate and contribute to requests from Assembly Questions, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information or media enquiries for the consideration and approval of the Health and Safety Locality Manager and the Senior Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Manager.
* Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade and within the competence of the post holder under the direction of the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
* Deputise for the Health and Safety Locality Manager as required.
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of responsibilities and reflects an initial assessment of the needs of the Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Service. As such, it is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to on-going review and refinement to ensure the Service’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the business. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, paying due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
Person specification
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.
Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/
Experience
Hold a HNC/HND or above examination qualification and have a minimum of one year’s experience of providing Health and Safety support in a service delivery environment (this can include a placement year that has had a significant Health and Safety component);
OR
have three years" experience of providing Health and Safety support in a service delivery environment (this can include a placement year that has had a significant Health and Safety component).
A NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent (e.g. Environmental Health Degree, IOSH etc).
A high level of IT literacy including experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Accident Reporting Systems.
Experience in supporting safe systems of work (e.g. HSG65 or similar) to include experience of the risk assessment process, creating/updating safety guidance, undertaking safety audits/inspections and investigating incidents.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge
Knowledge of Northern Ireland Health and Safety Legislation.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Other
The successful candidate will be required:
to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
OR
be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/
Experience Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.
Interview
Skills/
Abilities
In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:
Ability to successfully plan, prioritise and manage work within required timescales.
Ability to demonstrate initiative, work flexibly and resolve complex matters with minimal direction.
Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at a range of levels, including senior leadership level.
Ability to take a responsive and customer focused approach to work.
Interview
Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.
Interview
Our Values
Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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