Library Support Coordinator - Health & Safety and Training

Essex County Council; Witham; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 26,000

Job description

Library Support Coordinator - Health & Safety and Training

Permanent, Full Time

£23,344 to £25,679 per annum

Location: Witham

Working Style: Anywhere worker

The Opportunity

The Health and Safety and Wellbeing Coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing of colleagues across Essex Libraries by supporting Area Managers, Team Managers, and staff in adhering to Health and Safety legislation and applying essential knowledge in daily operations.

This role promotes a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous learning, guiding managers in following policies and regulations to ensure a safe working environment.

Identifying opportunities to improve practices, using data to monitor training progress, and helping frontline staff to apply their learning in practical, meaningful ways. By fostering a culture of wellbeing and positive engagement, creating an open environment where staff feel empowered to discuss concerns and develop their skills.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills, balancing support with impartial decision making to help the team navigate competing priorities while maintaining compliance and actively supporting managers with Health and Safety initiatives and builds staff confidence in adhering to regulations.

Accountabilities

• Support Area Managers and Team Managers to ensure health and safety compliance across Essex Libraries by supporting them with regular audits, risk assessments, and data insight.
• Support managers in reviewing fire alarm testing and emergency preparedness evaluations.
• Support managers in investigating Health and Safety issues, helping them to identify root causes and develop corrective actions.
• Supporting managers in leading root cause analysis of safety incidents and near misses, helping to create preventive measures and improve future practices.
• Assist managers in developing and implementing training programs related to Health and Safety compliance, identifying the most effective tools and ensuring they create plans that encourage staff participation and understanding.
• Provide regular updates to Head of Service and Area Managers.
• Support managers around Health and Safety issues with a focus on empathy and problem-solving, building trust and helping staff understand how compliance efforts improve well-being.
• Visible front-line support and promoting well-being initiatives within the libraries, helping them integrate health and safety into everyday culture and ensuring both physical and mental well-being are prioritised.
• Work with partners and locality teams to identify and mitigate local issues that impact staff relating to antisocial behaviour thereby ensuring libraries continue to be a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) Level 2 or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Good understanding of health and safety regulations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experienced at engaging staff at all levels, creating a supportive environment.
• Ability to remain fair, impartial, and focused on the facts when addressing health and safety issues, while also balancing competing priorities. Flexibility to manage competing priorities.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email [e-mail]