Trainee Human Factors Health and Safety Specialist

Role overview

This is a developmental position within the Health and Safety Team, supporting a Human Factors Health and Safety Specialist. The postholder will build experience in human factors practice while working toward Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF).

With guidance from senior specialists, the trainee will actively manage their learning and gather evidence, including a logbook and examples of human factors work, to support a future application for full chartered status. The role also contributes to the implementation of a human factors strategy aligned to HSE guidance on inspecting human factors at COMAH establishments. Although that guidance was created for chemical and petrochemical settings, it has also been adapted for use in other environments such as mining and biological-agent work.

Successful completion of the development pathway, full chartership, and an internal assessment can lead to progression into the Human Factors Health and Safety Specialist (Grade 7) role.

About the organisation

UKHSA aims to be an inclusive employer where differences are valued and barriers are removed so that everyone can contribute. The organisation promotes equality of opportunity and encourages applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in its workforce.

Main duties

• Keep a structured logbook of evidence and work examples to support a future application for full chartered membership of CIEHF.
• Take part in health and safety management training and biological agents learning through UKHSA’s internal development resources.
• Build and maintain professional links with human factors practitioners in other organisations and relevant professional bodies.
• Support health and safety inspections and audit activity from a human factors perspective.
• Contribute to human factors risk assessments, including safety-critical task analysis.
• Assist with the design and build of new high-containment microbiology facilities.
• Help deliver human factors training and awareness sessions.
• Support the creation and updating of human factors policies, procedures and guidance.
• Assist with investigations into incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses.
• Contribute to research and policy projects involving human factors.
• Carry out additional duties reasonably required by the Corporate Health and Safety Team.

Selection process

The recruitment process uses Success Profiles and assesses behaviour, technical skills, experience, ability and strengths.

Stage 1 includes an application form and a 1,500-word supporting statement. Candidates are expected to address the five essential criteria. If there are many applications, longlisting may group applicants into those meeting all, some or none of the essential criteria. Only those meeting all essential criteria will move to shortlisting.

Stage 2 is a remote interview held on MS Teams. Candidates will also deliver a 10-minute presentation on one of the six human factors topics in the HSE guidance, explaining how their academic background, experience and interests relate to the topic and how they could contribute to strategy development and implementation.

Behaviours assessed at interview include Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Communication and Influencing, and Delivering at Pace.

Location and working pattern

This post is offered on a hybrid basis. Possible work locations include Birmingham, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf or Colindale), Porton Down or Didcot.

Hybrid workers are expected to be on-site for at least 60% of contracted hours, which is around three days per week on average across a month, depending on business need.

The offices are described as modern and newly refurbished, with strong transport connections and co-location with other government departments.

Eligibility and security

This vacancy is open to external applicants.

Appointment is subject to a standard DBS check and Security Check clearance. For national security vetting, applicants would normally need to have lived in the UK for the last five years, although shorter residence may not automatically prevent clearance.

Salary and terms

The salary depends on office location and is aligned to the Senior Executive Officer grade. National pay is £41,983 to £48,128, Outer London pay is £44,148 to £50,121, and Inner London pay is £46,310 to £52,113.

If selected from another government department, NHS body or local authority, the relevant transfer or promotion salary rules will apply. In most cases, offers are made at the minimum of the pay scale for the grade, though some flexibility may apply where a higher current salary can be demonstrated. Pay rises follow the annual pay award and applicable terms.

UKHSA is also investing in a future National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex. Teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down will move in phases as the site becomes operational, with the first facilities expected in the mid-2030s and full completion planned for 2038.

Additional information

Applicants must provide truthful, original information in their application. Artificial intelligence may be used only as a support tool, and all examples and statements must come directly from the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism is identified, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action.

Applicants are advised to keep a copy of the advert for their records, as it will no longer be available after the closing date.

The organisation also highlights learning and development tailored to the role, flexible working options, an inclusive culture, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Essential criteria

• A postgraduate or undergraduate qualification in Human Factors or Ergonomics, preferably accredited by CIEHF, or close to completing such a qualification.
• Graduate membership of CIEHF, or eligibility for it.
• Understanding of how human factors are applied to manage health and safety risks in the workplace.
• Experience of applied academic research in human factors.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of learning and professional development.

Desirable experience

• Background in health and safety work, either supporting a duty holder or in a regulatory setting.
• Experience or knowledge of work in biological containment facilities.
• Ability to design applied human factors research, especially in biosafety-related areas.
• Ability to deliver human factors training to non-specialist audiences.
• Capacity to contribute to and lead human factors work programmes.
• Ability to solve complex human factors problems and balance competing system objectives, including issues arising from incident investigations.
• Confidence in promoting human factors and influencing colleagues through advice and support.

Future progression

The role is designed as a pathway into a specialist human factors health and safety position, with promotion possible after full chartership and completion of the internal assessment process.

Location-specific note

Salary levels vary by office location, so the final offer will reflect the base site linked to the role.

Application requirements

Candidates should complete the application form in full and provide a 1,500-word supporting statement. A CV cannot be uploaded, and applicants are asked not to send one by email.

Where the applicant pool is large, shortlisting may also consider the desirable criteria.

Interview format

The interview will be remote and conducted on MS Teams. It will test behaviour, technical knowledge, experience, capability and strengths, alongside the presentation.

Role scope

The trainee will support work across inspection, audit, risk assessment, training, policy development, incident investigation, research and the design of high-containment facilities, always within their level of competence.