Administration Officer (Band 6 / AO)

Job summary

HSE’s Chemicals, Explosives & Microbiological Hazards Division (CEMHD) comprises eight Band 1 (Grade 6) led Units regulating health and safety across onshore major hazard industries including those subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (COMAH) in chemical manufacturing, refineries, explosives manufacture and storage, and the handling of biological agents. Regulation in the chemicals sector faces significant new challenges in response to the climate change, Net Zero and energy transition agenda. This post is in Unit 4, reporting to the Band 5 Team Leader and working closely with other teams and managers in the Unit.

This is an exciting opportunity as an Administrative Officer within HSE’s CEMHD Division working as a member of a Divisional Business Support team within our Bootle office.

You will contribute to the important work we do. You will work closely with your colleagues to deliver the key responsibilities of the post. You will be flexible and responsive and able to respond to changing work priorities which allow you to develop your skills and knowledge. In all that you do you will be proactive, innovative and be focused on delivering HSE’s business as well as able to plan and prioritise your work.

You will be responsible for supporting CEMHD’s frontline colleagues and processing notifications and applications on receipt, some of which HSE is a statutory consultee for. You will also be responsible for processing of Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations (RIDDORs), monitoring generic email accounts, answering queries and gathering information for different requests.

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Job description

• Provide a professional administrative service for HSE, supporting frontline inspectors who deliver the work of the Chemicals, Explosives and Microbiology Hazards Division.
• Input and process data on to the computer systems, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail at all times, drawing conclusions from this data to make sound decisions.
• Contribute to the delivery of the teams’ goals, working effectively and collaboratively as a team member.
• Daily monitoring of team generic email accounts, answering emails and other queries that arrive in the office aswell as answering calls.
• Administrative support for FOI (Freedom of Information) / EIR (Environmental Information Regulations) requests received into the Division.
• Working with division relevant systems and programmes ranging from Microsoft Word, Excel and SharePoint to CEMHD bespoke databases.
• Effectively communicate with customers and external stakeholders.
• Ordering Personal Protective Equipment and stationery items.
• Office attendance on rotational basis to cover critical business tasks.

Person specification

• Proven communication skills, with the capacity to engage clearly and professionally with colleagues, customers and external stakeholders via email, telephone and written correspondence
• Capable of managing a varied workload, prioritising tasks effectively and responding to changing priorities
• Attention to accuracy, particularly when inputting and processing data and handling applications or notifications.
• Skilled in working collaboratively, supporting colleagues and contributing positively to team objectives
• Committed to providing a responsive and professional service, handling queries efficiently and appropriately
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and able to learn new systems (e.g. SharePoint and bespoke databases).

Hybrid Working

At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.

There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,499, Health and Safety Executive contributes £8,256 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Test Information

Please be advised that the tests are NOT timed.

Upon submitting your short application form, you will be invited to complete Verbal Reasoning Test and a Numerical Test.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible, within 24-48 hours is recommended, to allow time to complete your full application before the closing date. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then be invited to complete the final stage of your application.

You must complete the online tests and your full application form by Midday, 13th July 2026. If you fail to complete all of the details before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

There will be maintenance for online tests on [Sunday 28th June 2026]. This means you will be unable to access the online tests between [4PM] and [Midnight]. Your progress will be saved, and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

Application Information

After successfully completing the tests, you will be invited to complete your full application form including:

• An anonymised CV which should include your career history, experience and qualifications. Please be advised that the CV is for information purposes only and will not be scored.
• You will also be asked to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 750 words which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria of the job advert.
• A statement of up to 250 words that demonstrates the behaviour Working Together.

Please note that your examples do not need to be work-related - you can tailor your answer to projects, education or life examples you feel best reflect your experience.

Application Guidance

Please access the following link for guidance and further information on the Civil Service Tests, including practice tests: Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

Please access the following link for further information and guidance on Behaviours, roles at this level are assessed against Administrative Assistant (AA) and Administrative Officer (AO): Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Sift information

The Sift will take place w/c the 13th of July where you will be assessed against your Personal Statement and the Lead Behaviour 'Working Together'.

IMPORTANT: Please note an initial sift will be conducted on your Lead Behaviour 'Working Together'. If you meet the benchmark for the Lead Behaviour element, you will be progressed to a full sift in which the Personal Statement will also be scored. If you do not meet the standard for the Lead Behaviour, you will not receive a score for your Personal Statement.

Interview information

Interviews will take place from w/c 27th of July 2026 where you will be assessed on the Behaviours detailed in the job advert alongside Strength-based questions.

Please note: the interviews will be held in person in our Bootle HQ office (Redgrave Court, Merton Rd, Bootle L20 7HS).

Please Note: The lead behaviour will also be used in the event of a tie-breaker.

Interview and sift dates may be subject to change depending on panel availability.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and, Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Kate Aldridge
• Email : Kate.Aldridge@hse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk or by writing to HSE at the following address:

HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service commissioners:

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecode…

Attachments

HSE Terms and Conditions - CSJ Advert Annex Opens in new window (pdf, 516kB)