Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing Service provides the necessary professional expertise to help managers and employees to maintain a healthy and safe working environment, providing a quality, equality focused service. 

The service is staffed by a team of qualified, professional nurses, ergonomists, medical officers, counsellors and health and safety officers who are members of their respective professional bodies, i.e. the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Medical Council and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).  They are supported by an integrated administration team. 

The Occupational Health Service aims to support the organisation in establishing and maintaining physical and mental wellbeing in the work force in the following ways:

• To provide managers and employees with practical, independent advice on health issues 
• To help to prevent work related ill health 
• To ensure compliance with relevant occupational health legislation 

The core services it provides are: 

• Pre-employment medical clearance 
• Health assessments  
• Health surveillance 
• First aid management 

The Health and Safety Service aims are:

• To support, guide and advise the Council in meeting statutory requirements to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of employees, service users and visitors involved in, or affected by, Council activities  
• To promote a positive safety culture throughout the Authority, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all
• To provide commitment and a service that is responsive, customer-focused and supportive  

The core services it provides are: 

• Audit, inspection and monitoring 
• Accident and incident monitoring and investigation 
• Health and safety training 
• Health and safety advice 

The Counselling Service aims are:

• To offer confidential support to all employees of Coventry City Council and other external agencies 
• To help improve mental wellbeing throughout the organisation 

The core services it provides are: 

• Counselling (face to face and telephone)  
• Trauma interventions  
• Group therapy 
• Wellbeing events 
• Mediation 
• Wellbeing training 

Our service offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, whether you are experienced in your field of work or wish to gain further experience. 

You will be working with a successful and friendly team of professionals who will provide help and support, facilitating and enhancing learning and development opportunities.

What is the job role?

As a health and  safety advisor you will be required to to facilitate the successful management of health and safety throughout Coventry City Council by providing competent, clear, consistent technical advice and guidance at an operational and strategic level.  In particular, to support allocated portfolio areas.

Main duties will require you to:

• To assist in the development, consultation, implementation, evaluation and review of health and safety strategies, policies, procedures and effective management practices, which contribute to the successful management of health and safety and compliance with the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• To work proactively with colleagues across the HR function and with senior managers to ensure an integrated approach to policy development
• Review health and safety management systems and performance and conduct safety audits of specific groups, work areas or activities reporting findings to the relevant managers, H&S committees and Management Board as part of a planned programme of monitoring, evaluation and review.
• Assist managers, supervisors and TU workplace safety representative in H&S inspections of buildings, work areas and activities, council owned or operated parks and open spaces, work equipment, construction sites, road and civil engineering works and processes and methods of work.
• Review accident/incident/near miss/violence and aggression reports and, where appropriate, make enquiries into the initial investigation, determine underlying causes, identify any necessary remedial action, provide 'independent expert' reports and monitor trends.

For an informal discussion you can contact the 

• Angela White (Service Manager) on 024 7683 3285 or email angela.white@coventry.gov.uk or 
• Raj Joshi (H&S Team Leader) on 024 7697 2449 or email rajendra.joshi@coventry.gov.uk

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We seek a pragmatic, enthusiastic, and persuasive team player, able to source solutions and provide practical advice, guidance and support for elected members, partners, management board and employees delivering a full range of local authority services across Coventry.

You should have a thorough understanding of:

• Health and Safety legislation and its practical application
• Effective Health & Safety Management Systems/techniques
• A proven track record of providing professional, technical and
  • practical health and safety advice to all levels of an   
  • organisation
• Experience in undertaking inspections, audits, accident investigations, risk assessments and delivering H&S training
• Sound knowledge and appreciation of political processes and current issues facing local government
• Be able to integrate into a team of experienced professionals and contribute to the provision of a wide variety of services to both internal and external customers
• Be able to influence and communicate effectively with Directors and senior managers, employees and trade union safety representatives, providing sound professional advice and support and skills and knowledge transfer
• Have a minimum of NEBOSH Diploma in OSH or equivalent
• A minimum of 3 years experience in a health and safety role, ideally within a local authority environment.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date(s): 18th March 2025

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council