The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

As School Health & Safety Officer you will provide a professional, enthusiastic, high quality and comprehensive health and safety risk management to the School.

A key part of your role will be promoting the positive health and safety behaviours needed to deliver a high-performing health and safety environment to meet the requirements of professional competence, legislation and University policy. You will be responsible for ensuring that all staff, students and visitors have access to appropriate health and safety training, and will ensure that breaches of legislation and/or University policy are reported, challenged and resolved. Your actions will contribute to a positive safety culture, in which incidents are reported openly and used as learning opportunities to improve working practice.

This role will require the ability to analyse and design practical solutions to health and safety issues, and an ability to deal with difficult situations and influence behaviours with a high level of tact and diplomacy.

Applicants must have a good honours degree or significant experience in H&S position along with recognised NEBOSH Safety qualification. Strong leadership and influencing skills with the ability to persuade and influence a wide range of people to achieve changes in behaviour and excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt approach and level of advice for the recipient are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Act with the delegated authority of the Head of School on Health and Safety matters (both routine and urgent), bringing health and safety matters to the Head of School’s attention as appropriate, in order to ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Be fully familiar with the University’s Health and Safety Policy and work with the Head of School, School Technical Manager (where in post), School Manager and other senior leaders to develop, implement and annually review the School Safety Policy in line with University guidance and with reference to best practice behaviour.
• Review the School’s activities in relation to all University Health and Safety policies and advise on and oversee their implementation suggesting improvements where appropriate.
• Make frequent and regular visits to facilities across the School, in order to monitor compliance with University health and safety policies (including the safe operation of equipment, the maintenance of health and safety records, general housekeeping and the use of personal protective equipment), and assist staff in implementing these policies.
• Arrange and carry out regular health and safety inspections of School spaces, recording findings and ensuring appropriate action is taken as necessary, reporting the significant finding to the departmental H&S Committee to monitor School activity and ensure that adequate precautions are taken in relation to any new activities.
• Lead the Department’s preparation for Health and Safety audits carried out by the central Health and Safety team, ensuring all reports are made by the due date.
• Investigate accidents and incidents ensuring that all necessary reports are made to the University Safety Services and recommended actions are carried out.
• Working with relevant colleagues within the School, coordinate and deliver training on safety related topics, ensuring that appropriate health and safety training/induction of staff and visitors is provided and that suitable records are maintained.
• Maintain and disseminate health and safety information and reports as appropriate to staff.
• Monitor arrangements for fire prevention and first aid to ensure adequate cover.
• Organise and attend the School Health and Safety Committee assisting in setting the agenda and following up on actions.
• Advise on School arrangements for risk assessment (generation, approval & review) and SOPs. Monitor to ensure that the documents are suitable & sufficient. Provide support for employee induction and training and work with the Head of School to ensure that suitable monitoring and enforcement of safety requirements takes place.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 14/01/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.