Health Safety and Environment Advisor

Main Purpose of role:

The James Hutton Institute HSQE department have an excellent opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Health Safety and Environmental professional to join our team. The Health Safety Quality & Environment (HSQE) team is responsible for coordinating the operations of the Institutes Management Systems and providing effective support advice and guidance to management and staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience across a wide range of health safety and environmental topics and be a strong and effective communicator able to guide and influence people and effectively promote compliance and a safe healthy workplace.

The post is based at our Craigiebuckler site in Aberdeen however the remit of this post covers all sites and work locations therefore the postholder will be expected to travel to different Institute sites on a regular basis therefore a clean driving licence is essential for this role.

Main Duties of Postholder:

• Support managers and staff through the review/undertaking of risk assessments method statements etc across a range of subject areas laboratories (COSHH) Farm and agricultural operations and estate/facility maintenance activities ensuring operations are adequately assessed and control measures implemented
• Develop implement and review H&S and environmental emergency preparedness arrangements and testing schedules
• Lead or coordinate HSE training across all sites: Procurement development and delivery
• Investigate accidents injuries dangerous occurrences near misses and workrelated ill health
• Carry out Risk and CoSHH assessments as required and support institute staff in the Risk assessment process
• Work collaboratively with laboratory research estate maintenance and Farm staff on a daytoday basis to develop implement and enforce safe systems of work and ensure safe working practices and conditions
• Regularly inspect Institute buildings and laboratories plant equipment and work vehicles to ensure adequate standards are maintained in order to minimise health safety and environmental risk and implement remedial action as required
• Support the operation and maintenance of all the institutes Management systems in line with requirements best practice and continual improvement
• Support staff in the control safe use and storage of a wide range of chemicals and gases
• Coordinate arrangements for disposal of chemical and biological waste on Institute sites
• Coordinate and perform workplace health safety and environment internal audits to ensure compliance with relevant legislation management systems function and implement remedial action as required to minimise the risks and consequences of noncompliance or environmental harm
• Coordinate and assist with the ongoing review and revision of Institute health safety and environmental policies and procedures
• Report regularly on the state of the environmental management system to the Board by contributing to the HSQE reporting papers
• Facilitate external ISO certification / surveillance audits
• Represent HSQE Manager / Department at Group Committees / inter Department meetings
• Monitor and collate Health Safety and Environmental performance information both proactively and reactively
• Provide advice and assistance to managers and staff on HSE processes
• Facilitate procurement of HSE PPE stores and consumables
• Exercise authority to stop a process or activity which is assessed as likely to cause serious harm
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve team objectives.

Education/Experience/Skills:

Essential:

• Minimum of NEBOSH national general certificate in Health and Safety or equivalent professional qualification
• Previous demonstrable experience with COSHH management systems and software; AlcumusSypol EcoOnline etc.
• Experience implementing compliance with Health Safety and Environmental legislation and Approved Codes of Practice such as:
  • Control of Asbestos Regulations
  • Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
  • Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

Essential Skills:

• Coordinating organisational HS & E training
• Working knowledge of ISO management systems
• Effective written communication skills
• IT skills: proficient in use of Microsoft Office software e.g. Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint.

Interpersonal skills:

• Ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of people
• Ability to present sound and wellreasoned arguments to convince others in a way thatresults in agreement or behaviour change
• An approach to work that is characterised by commitment motivation and energy
• Driven to achieve continual improvement in H&S performance.

Verbal communication:

• Confident public speaker
• Ability to deliver presentations and training in a variety of styles to get the appropriate message across.

Planning and organisation:

• Ability to manage own time effectively
• Ability to think and plan to achieve objectives.

Resilience:

• Ability to sustain personal effectiveness and performance in the face of pressure changing / conflicting priorities and difficult situations / people
• Ability to drive change in the face of resistance or setbacks.

Flexibility:

• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and issues
• Ability to drive and adapt to changes in your own job requirements
• Ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives on an issue and to adopt a flexible approach to situations individuals or groups.

DesirableQualifications/ Skills/ Experience:

• NEBOSH Environmental management certificate or similar
• Experience with fire risk assessment and regulatory requirements
• Health and safety/Environmental/Quality Auditor qualification
• Experience in procurement/purchasing
• Experience in using SharePoint.
• Clean driving licence and personal transport.

What we offer:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors psychologists and worklife consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year with carry over possible and guaranteed timeoff for Christmas.

Pension Employer Contribution of 15 in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Selfmanaged hours and Flexible Working option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.