Health & Safety Officer

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 31/08/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Health and Safety Officer supports the delivery of health and safety arrangements across Estates and Facilities Management (EFM), helping to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, university policies and recognised good practice.

Working under the direction of the health and safety manager, the postholder provides operational health and safety support across a diverse range of activities, including engineering and maintenance, facilities operations, transport and logistics, security services and capital projects. The role supports inspections, contractor and CDM assurance activities, incident investigations, training delivery, risk management and monitoring activities across EFM.

The postholder works closely with managers, supervisors, Departmental Health and Safety Officers (DHSOs), staff and contractors to support continuous improvement, promote a positive health and safety culture and contribute to the effective management of operational risks across the university estate.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the Health and Safety Manager in the delivery of Health and Safety objectives, improvement programmes, assurance activities and governance arrangements across EFM.
• Support the implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and improvement programmes across EFM.
• Undertake workplace inspections, audits, monitoring and assurance activities across EFM operational areas.
• Undertake contractor inspections and support contractor and CDM assurance activities across maintenance, operational and construction-related activities.
• Support managers in the development, review and implementation of risk assessments, safe systems of work and other health and safety documentation.
• Support accident, incident and near-miss investigations, including identifying root causes and supporting the implementation of corrective actions.
• Monitor progress against health and safety action plans and support the implementation of agreed improvements.
• Deliver health and safety training, briefings, toolbox talks and awareness sessions and support the development of in-house health and safety training capability across EFM.
• Provide practical health and safety advice and guidance to managers, supervisors, DHSOs and staff.
• Attend EFM Health and Safety forums, operational meetings, team meetings and working groups as required.
• Assist in the collection, analysis and reporting of health and safety performance information and trends.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture through engagement, communication and visible presence across EFM operational areas.
• Liaise with contractors, consultants and other stakeholders to support compliance with university health and safety requirements.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria Stage(s) assessed at

Level 3 Health and Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent)

Application/interview

Experience of providing Health and Safety advice and support within an operational environment.

Application/interview

Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and recognised good practice.

Application/interview

Experience of undertaking inspections, audits or assurance activities.

Application/interview

Experience of supporting risk assessments and safe systems of work.

Application/interview

Experience of supporting accident and incident investigations.

Application/interview

Experience of contractor monitoring, contractor assurance or compliance activities.

Application/interview

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Application/interview

Ability to organise and prioritise workload, manage competing priorities and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Application/interview

Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and digital systems for recording, monitoring and reporting information.

Application/interview

Experience of construction safety, contractor management and CDM arrangements.

Application/interview

Experience of working within a large and complex operational environment.

Application/interview

Further Information Grade

G6

£32,080 - £36,636 (per annum with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum through sustained contribution)

Work arrangement

Full Time

Duration Line manager

Head of Compliance, Governance & Risk

Direct reports

Fire Operational technicians

Our website

For informal enquiries about this job contact Bob Sweeney

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of a face to face interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes ; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN