Apprentice Operational Support Officer (Band 6/AO)

Job summary

Operational Support team members provide high-quality operational, administrative and technical support within office-based environments for Inspection, Investigation, and Specialist Divisions, delivering key functions that contribute to regulatory operations across these divisions. Cross divisional support is also provided to Chemical, Explosives and Microbiological Hazards Division (CEMHD) and Energy Division (ED) on an ad hoc basis, making Operational Support colleagues the backbone and integral part of a host of regulatory support work.

They work as part of a collective team within specific office locations, whilst aligned to and supporting delivery via a functional operating model. Every colleague is assigned to up to three of the division’s six priority workstreams.

You will also complete a Business Administration level 3 as part of your employment with us.

Please be advised that due to the course requirements, part time hours are not available for this position during the duration of the apprenticeship.

Job description

You will contribute to the delivery of HSE’s Strategy and plan of work by undertaking a range of business support tasks and processes, against stringent service level agreements, in direct support of both front line and other HSE staff, including providing support to other parts of HSE, on both a local and national basis. You will do this by:

Targeting & Intelligence (T&I): Workstream activities relate to the provision of inspection premises as part of the annual inspection programme. This consists of actioning visit requests in a timely manner through triage of potential sites and creation of visit packs in support of Inspectors, ahead of visits. Cases must be created and accurately recorded on the correct corporate system for inspection recording.

Gas Events: Workstream activities relate to actioning of all Gas Events, as per agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and the Downstream Gas procedure.

Litigation (England, Wales, Scotland): Workstream activities relate to careful management of allocated Litigation cases, completing actions within agreed deadlines. Collaboration and liaison across Divisions is required, alongside professional and sensitive witness liaison.

Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Requests, and FFI (Fee for Intervention): Workstream activities relate to actioning of Information Requests, through triage of corporate systems to identify information and evidence for disclosure, redacting as required.

FFI is a regulatory charging system that allows HSE to recover its costs when it identifies material breaches of health and safety law during inspection and investigations. Workstream activities include inbox management, with awareness of invoice-run periods, which require heightened responsiveness and prioritisation. Completion of queries and disputes according to agreed templates, procedures and timescales.

Data Quality: Workstream activities relate to supporting annual reviews of corporate data in case management systems in line with yearly workplan, to aid inspection delivery and improve the efficiency of site triage. Timely correction and update of corporate data to ensure accuracy for purposes of reporting.

Radiation Authorisation and Notification (RADAN): Workstream activities relate to supporting Inspectors with notifications, registrations and consents via the RADAN portal.

Person specification

Essential Skills

• Well-developed communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact politely and professionally with others
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills, including understanding how the organisation works
• Organisational skills, with the ability to manage tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• A positive and flexible approach to work, with the ability to adapt when priorities change and stay focused when working on multiple tasks
• Confidence in asking questions and seeking support when needed
• Attention to detail and ability to complete tasks accurately

Apprenticeship Eligibility

This is a development role – so to be eligible to apply, the training and development you receive must provide you with significant new skills and learning. This is an essential requirement for apprenticeship funding and means you must not already hold a similar or higher qualification, be working towards a similar or higher qualification, or be significantly experienced in the Business Administrator modules.

If you hold a similar or higher qualification or, are currently working towards a similar or higher qualification in the Business, Business Management, or Business Administration modules, any offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In addition you must:

• Be aged 16 or over (there is no upper age limit).
• Have the right to work in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK/EU/EA for 3 consecutive years before starting the apprenticeship
• Hold and provide evidence of a level 2 equivalent qualification in Maths and English (I.e., GCSE Grade A-C) or be willing to work towards achieving this as part of the apprenticeship programme.

For candidates aged 19 and over, for this programme, in line with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) HSE has agreed that it is a learner-led decision to complete Functional Skills (Level 2 Maths and English). This means that if you cannot evidence you have this already, you now have the option to complete the Functional Skills or opt-out if you prefer. We wish to encourage learners to continue with Functional Skills, especially if you feel it would be beneficial in improving your literacy or numeracy skills or it may be helpful for your future career ambitions to have an English and Maths qualification but for this pathway it is not mandatory.

For candidates aged 16-18, you will be required to provide evidence of a level 2 equivalent qualification in Maths and English (i.e., GCSE Grade A-C). If you do not hold or are unable to provide evidence of this, you will be required to undertake Functional Skills exams (Level 2 Maths and English) as part of the apprenticeship programme.

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:

• Delivering at Pace
• 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.

• 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 and Strengths.

Application Information:

Test Information: Please note that the test is NOT timed. Upon submitting your short application form, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service verbal test. Please complete the online test as soon as possible, within 24-48 hours is recommended, to allow time to complete your full application.

You must complete the online tests and your full application form by 12:00 Midday on 8 June 2026. If you fail to complete the online test and full application form 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 31st May from 16:00 to midnight and Sunday 7th June 16:00 to 19:00. This means you will be unable to access the online tests between these times. Your progress will be saved, and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

Following the online tests you will be asked to provide two 250-word statements on the two Behaviours listed in the advert. 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.

It is recommended that candidates use the STAR approach in your answers - Situation, Task, Action, Result (see below for more information) to structure your example and to refer to the Success Profiles Behaviours (Level 1 AA/AO) guide which can be found on gov.uk

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

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

Sift Information

The sift will take place from week commencing 8 June 2026 when you will be assessed on your Behaviours.

In the event of a high number of applications, at sift we will assess on the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace only and you will not receive a score for Working Together.

Interview Information

Interviews will take from week commencing 22 June 2026 when you will be assessed on your behaviours and strengths.

Please note that these dates could be subject to change due to 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

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

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Furthermore, existing Civil Servants must gain written approval from their Line Manager prior to applying for this campaign. At the point of offer, you will be asked to provide this evidence. Offers will be revoked if the appropriate approvals cannot be produced when requested.

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.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 : DSU.recruitment@hse.gov.uk
• Email : DSU.recruitment@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, 116kB)