POST TITLE: Health, Safety & Risk Officer
SECTION: Property Services
SALARY: Grade 8 £42,429 – £47,728 pa pro rata (equates to £37,437 – £42,112 pa)
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent
Contract Type: Part-time/Perm – 30 hours per week
About the Role
Swale Borough Council is seeking a proactive and knowledgeable Health, Safety & Risk Officer to join us on a part-time basis 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:
– Providing professional advice and guidance on statutory health and safety duties and best practice.
– Monitoring changes in health and safety legislation and advising on implications for Council services and activities.
– Ensuring all risk assessments and safe systems of work (including lone worker arrangements) are in place, effective and up to date.
– Maintaining accurate health and safety records and ensuring compliance across all Council activities.
– Maintaining and managing accident, incident, near miss and RIDDOR reporting systems, including investigations, findings, and follow-up actions.
– Overseeing and undertaking investigations as required, ensuring lessons learned are embedded and risk reduced.
– Developing, implementing and reviewing Corporate Health and Safety Policies
– Designing and delivering health and safety training programmes in collaboration with HR.
– Supporting Property Services in ensuring compliance with property-related legislation, including asbestos, legionella, gas and electrical safety and ensure suitable safety equipment is available, maintained, and fit for purpose.
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 are 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
– 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
– Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing, including 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 who are successful in securing an interview can expect a 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 employees 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.
To apply for the position, please visit www.swale.gov.uk/jobs, complete the online application form or call 01622 602555.
Closing Date: Sunday 9th August 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 26th August 2026
