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Full time, fixed term contract until 1 September 2027.

We are seeking an individual with fire and health and safety experience and to support the work of the University’s Health and Safety Services team in the role of Health and Safety (Fire) Officer.

The role of the Health and Safety (Fire) Officer is to provide ‘front-line’ advice and guidance to University staff to help them to meet their health and safety responsibilities. The postholder will be a key part of the Health and Safety Services team and will report to the Health and Safety (Fire) Adviser, supported by a number of Health and Safety Advisers. This post will provide advice and guidance on hazard identification, risk assessments and risk control measures, and will be required to carry out fire risk assessments, investigations, inspections and training.

Previous experience in the Higher Education sector or similar complex organisation would be a distinct advantage, as would working with quality standards such as ISO 45001

We would ideally like someone with a recognised Fire Risk Assessment qualification and hold or working/willing to work towards a NEBOSH National General Certificate qualification. Most importantly the ideal candidate will be self-motivated, proactive and be able to inspire and coach others. They will have excellent written/ presentation and influencing skills, IT skills and be effective in building and nurturing relationships with stakeholders.

An ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and initiative is essential, as is experience of working and engaging with staff at all levels to ensure safe systems of work are established, fire risk assessments are completed, and reviews are undertaken as necessary.

The role:

• provide health, safety and fire support to University departments,
• undertake fire risk assessments across a diverse estate.
• Prepare Building/Site specific Information.
• use their knowledge and skills to promote a positive fire and health and safety culture in the workplace.
• help guide staff and students so that safety policies and practices are adopted.
• help to ensure delivery of improvement activities and projects in their designated department(s) as directed by the Health and Safety Services team.
• help to ensure, through inspection and investigation, that arrangements remain effective in providing a safe and healthy environment to visit, work and study.

The role is based at our main campus near Coventry.

Why choose us?
Warwick is a leading Russell Group University widely recognised as a world leader in research and education with circa 7,000 staff and over 27,000 students.
Warwick provides a supportive environment in which you can make an impact. And our students, alumni and staff are consistently making an impact - the kind that changes lives, whether close to home or on a global scale.

As member of staff at Warwick you will enjoy a wide range of competitive benefits including a competitive salary, an attractive pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance, along with excellent learning and development opportunities.

The closing date for applications is 11th June 2023 and interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 19th June 2023. Any queries can be directed to [email protected]

JOB PURPOSE

To provide professional fire and health and safety support to all departments, in order to achieve the required positive culture, behaviours, and standards of health and safety performance as well as the supporting systems and processes expected of a leading University.

To develop engagement and ownership of fire and health and safety processes and practices within departments, working with academic, technical, administrative, commercial and health and safety personnel.


DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support the development and implementation of good fire and health and safety practice line with the framework of legislation, University policy and University Health and Safety strategy.

• Promote compliance to legislation and University policy and raise standards of fire and health and safety practice via proactive means including audit, safety sampling and inspection and generation of information for the University Health, Safety and Wellbeing webpages.
• Provide a professional fire and health and safety support service to managers, supervisors, and staff in designated department(s), based on risk priority, departmental needs and technical knowledge and experience.
• Raise the awareness and skills of departmental staff, such that they themselves can identify, manage and record the risks connected to their work in written (or in data capture within appropriate software systems) format.
• Develop pro-active working with departments such that professional guidance can be provided prior to the introduction of high risk activities and equipment or before planning significant changes to their work environment and facilities.
• Communicate changes in relevant legislation (or case law) to departmental staff, ensuring that local policy, arrangements, fire risk assessment and control measures reflect such changes.
• Support the use of the H&S related software systems (including but not limited to SHE Assure and the QuEMIS Hazards Module), ensuring that data is entered correctly and kept up to date, and that hazard grids, emergency contact information, floor plans and hazard information are maintained and are readily available to the emergency services and other first responders.
• Support the programme of fire risk assessment within departments, providing professional fire and health and safety input to managers where the risks warrant this approach and give advice to support the generation of local rules and safe systems of work, considering risk control measures for individuals at extra risk.
• Recognise and liaise with other experts, academic, technical and health and safety advisers to develop engagement and ownership of relevant safety processes and practices.
• Influence behaviours of staff at all levels by:

o Providing appropriate training for managers and supervisors in fire and health and safety ;
o Obtaining agreement on Departmental fire and health and safety objectives and targets;
o Tackling issues as they arise and ensuring learning outcomes are shared across relevant disciplines.

2. Lead on the investigation of relevant fire and health and safety incidents ensuring that underlying causes are identified and necessary changes and actions are carried out and learning outcomes are shared.

• Work with department(s) to ensure that local fire and health and safety arrangements (including local emergency response arrangements) are documented, and that staff and students have clear information about what is required and to whom responsibilities and authority have been devolved.
• Support the planning process for emergency situations as part of the University’s emergency response and business continuity planning and provide expert support in the event of an incident.

3. Engage with other University advisory services and external enforcement agencies as would be expected of the role, such as

• Liaise closely with the relevant Health and Safety Adviser(s), Occupational Hygienists and Occupational Health Advisers on matters relating to workplace environment monitoring, health surveillance, staff rehabilitation, ill health and workplace adjustments.
• Liaise with relevant enforcing authorities, with support from Senior Health and Safety Adviser(s) as necessary.
• Work as part of the health and safety team to contribute to the University’s fire and health and safety strategy, undertaking project work as required and keeping the team informed of emerging issues that may have a significant impact on the University.
• Provide support for Health and Safety Advisers who are leading on areas of operational priority.
• Undertake / maintain appropriate benchmarking / information with other functions in the University in order to facilitate achievement of the highest practicable fire and health and safety standards.

4. To stop work where health and safety standards could cause imminent danger whilst providing professional support in relation to implementing improvements which can be made to rectify situations and improve standards of fire and health and safety where standards are found to be poor.

To ensure that the University’s Simplify, Collaborate, Deliver agenda is promoted to ensure the efficient and effective management of fire and health and safety .