Safety Health and Environment Advisor

Salary - £38,939 - £41,321
Hybrid working (50/50)
Permanent
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is looking for an experienced Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Advisor to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges.

Are you an approachable, self-motivated, and hands-on professional with a passion for supporting others? Our small but friendly and dynamic SHE team are looking for a proactive Advisor to help provide the highest level of support to our colleagues spread across four sites: Wallingford, Bangor, Edinburgh & Lancaster. Based at our Head Office in Wallingford, you will provide onsite support services and get involved in a wide range of activities such as employee engagement, organisational performance monitoring, data collation, internal audits, and training.

In this role, you'll play a vital part in supporting the delivery and ongoing development of our Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) services across the organisation. You'll lead on-site engagement with key teams to build relationships, working in partnership with workshop, laboratory, field site and workplace managers.

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with a people-first approach - someone who's proactive, pragmatic, and thrives on solving problems collaboratively. You'll lead with insight and empathy, using your expertise to drive continuous improvement, ensure legal compliance, and promote a positive, hands-on safety culture. You'll also contribute strategically to the development of our SHE systems, supporting our continued external certification to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001, and playing a key role in shaping a culture of continual improvement.

This is a highly collaborative and team-oriented environment, so we're looking for someone who is not only people-focused but also willing to step in, use their initiative, and go the extra mile to support colleagues when it counts.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate the provision of key SHE services, e.g., occupational health, international travel management, online training platforms
• Proactively engage with internal stakeholders to undertake audits, inspections and spot checks, communicating corrective actions or opportunities for improvement
• Provide subject matter expertise and advice in accordance with organisational procedures, compliance obligations and best practice measures
• Review and advise on risk assessments and control measures including DSE, COSHH, laboratory and fieldwork activities
• Design and deliver effective in-house training courses as part of a coordinated training programme, to our employees and postgraduate students in line with their roles and responsibilities
• Communicate SHE team activities and advice through internal channels and undertaking performance reporting for managers and committees
• Inputting to the development of new and existing SHE procedures to ensure legal compliance
• Maintaining our ISO standards, including the delivery of strategic SHE objectives
• Initiating Accident, Incident and Near Miss investigations, including report writing and follow up of corrective actions
• Collating evidence for and representing UKCEH at external management system audits

You'll bring practical experience in risk assessment, management, and mitigation, along with a solid understanding of accident investigation. Confident in delivering training and conducting audits, you'll be skilled at identifying corrective actions and supporting continuous improvement across safety practices.

Your friendly, flexible approach will help you engage effectively with scientific researchers and professional services staff, offering informed, responsive advice that builds trust and encourages best practice. More importantly, you'll help us foster a safe, supportive and collaborative environment - one where staff, postgraduate students and collaborators feel valued, empowered, and protected.

For the role of SHE Advisor, we're looking for somebody who has:

• A degree in a science-related field (i.e., environmental, biological or chemical sciences), or proven experience working within a scientific research/laboratory environment
• Experience of developing and delivering internal training courses or worker engagement communications, or a training qualification
• Knowledge of ISO 45001 or OHSAS 18001 management systems and requirements
• Up to date with the latest developments in health and safety, including legal requirements
• Excellent communication skills - confident in oral, written and presentation formats, with the ability to engage at all levels of the organisation and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• A practical approach to problem-solving - innovative, methodical and able to follow processes and procedures while applying sound judgement.
• Strong organisational skills - able to plan and prioritise a varied workload, with the flexibility to adapt when priorities shift.
• A full, clean driving licence - and a willingness to travel to other UKCEH sites, with occasional overnight stays where needed.

Other highly desirable skills include:

• IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management (or equivalent)
• NEBOSH Certificate (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety or higher
• Knowledge of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), workplace ergonomics, workshop equipment, mental health and wellbeing etc.
• Any other relevant, specific health and safety knowledge and experience of; working at height, electromagnetic fields etc.

You'll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that's committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years' service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure

• 10% employer pension contribution

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)

• Peer reward and recognition scheme

• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more

Apply today!

If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role.

At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone-regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance-has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process-please don't hesitate to reach out. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we'd love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.