Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor

Are you a passionate health and safety professional looking to make a real difference across a diverse and dynamic organisation?

At Plymouth City Council, we're committed to creating a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our employees, residents and visitors. We are seeking an experienced and proactive Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor to join our Health, Safety & Wellbeing team and help drive continuous improvement across the Council.

About the Role

As a Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor, you will provide expert professional advice, guidance and support across the Council, helping services manage risk effectively and maintain compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice. You will play a key role in developing and implementing health and safety management systems, including ISO 45001 principles, supporting a positive safety culture and contributing to the delivery of excellent public services.

Working closely with managers, HR colleagues, trade unions and external regulators, you will advise on complex health and safety matters, investigate incidents, deliver training and support services to improve safety performance and wellbeing outcomes across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing expert health, safety and wellbeing advice and support to managers and employees.
• Supporting the delivery of the Council's Health, Safety & Wellbeing strategy and business plan.
• Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and learning opportunities.
• Developing and delivering engaging health and safety training and learning materials.
• Coaching managers in risk assessment and safe systems of work.
• Reviewing and developing policies, procedures and management systems.
• Monitoring compliance and performance data and reporting trends and areas of concern.
• Working with regulatory bodies including the Health and Safety Executive and Fire Authority.
• Supporting initiatives that enhance employee safety, wellbeing and organisational resilience.

About You

We are looking for a knowledgeable and credible health and safety professional who can build strong relationships, influence stakeholders and provide practical solutions to complex challenges.

You'll bring:

Essential

• A health and safety qualification at degree level or equivalent.
• Chartered membership of IOSH (or working towards) or equivalent professional standing
• A comprehensive knowledge of health and safety legislation, standards and management frameworks.
• Experience of delivering health and safety services within a complex organisation, ideally local government.
• Experience of policy development, auditing, risk assessment and accident investigation.
• Experience of designing and delivering health and safety training.
• Excellent communication, coaching and report-writing skills.
• The ability to interpret legislation and provide authoritative advice.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Desirable

• Chartered or higher-level professional membership of a recognised health and safety body.
• Postgraduate or professional qualifications in safety or risk management.
• Experience of delivering health and safety quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within local government or similarly complex public sector environments.

Why Join Plymouth City Council?

This is an exciting opportunity to influence health, safety and wellbeing across one of the South West's largest local authorities. You'll work with passionate colleagues, contribute to meaningful outcomes for our workforce and communities, and support a culture where people can thrive safely at work.

We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The chance to make a tangible impact across a large and diverse organisation.

Join Us

If you are a motivated health and safety professional who wants to help shape a safer, healthier workplace culture and support positive outcomes for employees and residents alike, we'd love to hear from you.

We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK

Plymouth City Council is proud to be an Age Friendly Employer. We encourage applications from talented people at every stage of their career

Apply today and help Plymouth City Council create safer workplaces, stronger services and better outcomes for our communities.

For more information or an informal discussion please contact Kirsty Spencer kirstie.spencer@plymouth.gov.uk

Closing Date: Thursday 10th September

Interviews W/C 21st September