Specialist Inspector - Explosives (Band 3 / SEO)

Job summary

Our Explosives Safety specialists ensure employers across Great Britain – a whole range of essential industries with thousands of workers - to work safely. In this role, you can utilise your considerable technical knowledge and practical experience to influence not only individual employers but whole industry sectors.

The explosives sector is a strategically important one, providing military munitions, safety devices and products critical to the operations of other sectors e.g. onshore and offshore extractive industries and is a key contributor to the entertainment and leisure sectors.

A career with HSE, at an exciting time for the sector, gives you a rare opportunity to visit and interact with different and diverse employers and work activities, one day you could be engaging with a large multi-national munitions manufacturer and the next a small fireworks store.

You’ll work alongside other HSE technical and regulatory specialists to ensure work activities are operating within the legislative framework by various regulatory interventions including inspecting, investigating and providing advice. Your work will make the most of your experience – whether that’s inspecting an explosive processing plant, helping an employer understand the right controls to have in place, or contributing to the development of industry standards and guidelines. The balance of an individual’s key responsibilities will depend on their role within the Unit. As you can see this role will broaden your knowledge and your professional credibility like no other role can.

Together with the widest range of health and safety specialists in Britain, you’ll be helping to protect thousands of people, whilst working in an inclusive environment where all our people can thrive and be themselves.

Due to the training component, this role is offered on a full-time basis only.

Job description

We have two opportunities available:

Post 1 - Explosives Specialist – Regional Team: Specialist inspectors in our regional teams undertake much of our day-to-day intervention and licensing work. They are expected to have a breadth of understanding of explosives properties and behaviours and to be able to work flexibly across a range of sites. For further information about this vacancy, contact Stuart.Charles@hse.gov.uk

Post 2 - Explosives Specialist – Portfolio Holder: Specialist inspectors in our portfolio teams are expected to lead on sites and topics that require their depth of knowledge and experience and deliver permissions that might require a particular focus. They are still expected to be able to undertake more general work where the need arises. For this role you will be expected to have a detailed knowledge and practical experience of the facilities used for the manufacture, storage and/or handling of either pyrotechnics or civil explosives and associated energetic materials including experience of controlling explosives risks. For further information about this role, please contact Nathan.Flood@hse.gov.uk

At application, you will be asked if you have a role preference. However, please be advised that offers are made in merit order and we cannot guarantee that you will be allocated to your preferred role.

Key responsibilities include;

• Inspecting a variety of workplaces, either on your own or with a specialist team, to make sure that risks are managed appropriately, deciding whether conditions meet minimum legal requirements and relevant good practice, driving improvements and gaining commitment to align with the law.
• Forensically analysing explosives safety related concerns, accidents and reportable incidents to identify the root cause and where necessary, calling in other specialist support and taking legal action to prevent a recurrence;
• Undertaking permissioning activities on the licensing of explosives storage and manufacturing sites and on the classification of explosives for transport;
• Contributing as a member of the Explosives Safety Unit to promote Health and Safety improvements to national and international standards at various fora, and at relevant conferences.

Travel

This role will require frequent travel (approximately 2-3 times per fortnight) to sites across Great Britain and other HSE offices for inspections, training and team activities. This will occasionally be at short notice and require overnight stays.

Regulatory Learning Academy

We support your continuing professional development directly through training and through stakeholder support and steering. Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will develop your expertise by completing the Regulators Training Programme (RTP). This includes a mixture of e-learning, virtual tutorials, face to face workshops and a requirement for you to complete a legal assessment. After this training, you’ll then have wider learning opportunities through your Civil Service access.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Criteria

Explosives Specialist – Regional Team

• A breadth of knowledge and practical experience of the facilities used for the manufacture, storage and/or handling of explosives and associated energetic materials including experience of controlling explosives risks;
• Practical understanding of explosives properties and behaviours;
• A practical understanding of explosives safety, chemistry or engineering and including knowledge of explosive initiation mechanisms;
• Good communication skills
• Good analytical and planning skills.

Explosives Specialist – Portfolio Holder

• In depth knowledge and practical experience of the facilities used for the manufacture, storage and/or handling of either pyrotechnics or civil explosives and associated energetic materials including experience of controlling explosives risks;
• Practical understanding of explosives properties and behaviours;
• A practical understanding of explosives safety, chemistry or engineering and including knowledge of explosive initiation mechanisms;
• Good communication skills
• Good analytical and planning skills.

The qualifications, licences and memberships requirements are applicable for BOTH roles.

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.

Licences

Due to the nature of the role, you must have a full UK driving licence at the point you begin your application.

Qualifications

A degree or equivalent in a Science / Engineering related discipline.

Memberships

Chartered Membership or Chartered Fellowship of a relevant professional institution e.g. the Institute of Explosives Engineers, Institute of Physics, Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers or the Royal Society of Chemistry - or the academic and professional qualifications to apply and achieve Chartered status.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Applying Knowledge - specifically in relation to securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise
• Complying with requirements / Standards - Specifically, understanding and complying with legal requirements, key technical standards and work systems that ensure safety in your current role

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,063, Health and Safety Executive contributes £15,951 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be invited to complete

• An anonymous CV - Please ensure you tailor your CV to match the Essential Skills and Criteria as listed within the advert, including a clear outline of how you meet the qualification, licence and membership requirements. And;
• A Personal Statement of up to 1000 words that demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria outlined above in the Person Specification. Please also include evidence that displays your level of responsibility, demonstrating the breadth and depth of your experience and the technical quality and standard of your work.

Please read the Essential Skills for both posts carefully and ensure you tailor your application to either the Explosives Specialist - Regional Team or Explosives Specialist - Portfolio holder. During your application you will be given the opportunity to state your preference between the two positions.

Application Guidance

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/

Sift information

At Sift you will be assessed on your CV and your Personal Statement.

The Sift will take place from week commencing 1st June.

IMPORTANT: Please note an initial sift will be conducted on your CV. If you meet the benchmark for the CV 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 CV, you will not receive a score for your Personal Statement.

Interview information

At interview, you will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute Technical Presentation, details of which will be provided to you on your invitation to interview.

During the interview, you will be assessed against the Behaviours and Technical Skills detailed within the job advert.

Interviews will take place from week commencing 8th June.

The interview will take place via Microsoft Teams.

Please be advised that you will be required to provide evidence of your Memberships, Licences and Qualifications if invited to interview.

Please note that the Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, will be used to determine outcome in the event of a tie-break.

Further Information

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.

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 : Martyn Sime
• Email : Martyn.Sime@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)