Health, Safety & Risk Officer

About the Role

Swale Borough Council is seeking a proactive and knowledgeable Health, Safety & Risk Officer to lead on ensuring the Council complies with all relevant health and safety legislation and best practice.

This is a key role where you will provide expert advice, promote a strong safety culture, and safeguard the wellbeing of employees, contractors, customers and stakeholders across all Council operations and premises.

Key responsibilities include

• Provide professional advice and guidance to Members, Directors, Managers and staff on statutory health and safety duties and best practice.
• Monitor changes in health and safety legislation and advise on implications for Council services and activities.
• Maintain and manage accident, incident, near miss and RIDDOR reporting systems, including investigations, findings, and follow-up actions.
• Oversee and undertake investigations as required, ensuring lessons learned are embedded and risk reduced.
• Ensure all risk assessments and safe systems of work (including lone worker arrangements) are in place, effective and up to date.
• Maintain accurate health and safety records and ensure compliance across all Council activities.
• Develop, implement and review Corporate Health and Safety Policies
• Design and deliver health and safety training programmes in collaboration with HR.
• Support Property Services in ensuring compliance with property-related legislation, including asbestos, legionella, gas and electrical safety.
• Ensure suitable safety equipment is available, maintained, and fit for purpose.
• Liaise with Unison and attend staff safety committee meetings.
• Manage the Council’s Cautionary Contact processes.

This is a part time position working 30 hours per week on a permanent contract. Hybrid working applies with the requirement to work in the office two days per week.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including

• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most role
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

We are looking for someone who

• Has strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Is degree educated (or equivalent) and holds a relevant Health & Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH or equivalent).
• Has relevant demonstrable experience in a Health & Safety role
• Is confident advising senior stakeholders and influencing a positive safety culture.
• Demonstrates excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Can communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Is proactive, solutions-focused, and committed to continuous improvement.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Debbie Hardy, Buildings Operation & Maintenance Manager on 01795 417036.

Job

Description and Person Specification https

//docs.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs/Job-Description-Health,-Safety-and-Risk-Officer.pdf

Interview Date

w/c 8th June 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.