Operational Health and Safety Officer (UK based)

Closing date: 10 January 2025

www.ocean-ecology.com

WHY OCEAN ECOLOGY?

We are a leading marine environmental consultancy specialising in providing survey, technical and advisory services to organisations delivering and governing the global blue economy. We recently became part of DNV, the world’s leading classification society and advisor to the maritime industry. This merger has enabled an exciting expansion of our services and client base throughout the UK and internationally.

WHY APPLY?

This role will provide unique opportunities to work in and help shape a growing and dynamic organisation alongside a team of passionate marine scientists. We offer industry-competitive salaries commensurate with experience, with associated benefits including private health options, extensive training opportunities and a flexible working policy.

You will have the chance to work with leading experts in the field, gain extensive knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, and develop your career in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

OPERATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER

We are seeking a competent and experienced Health & Safety Officer to support our survey operations and develop the company’s positive health and safety culture in line with its commitment to ISO 450001 accreditation. Reporting to the Operations Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for producing project-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) in support of our marine surveys. There will be opportunities to undertake survey work to ensure a high level of operational understanding of the works we undertake and allow for continual improvement of safe working procedures.

This role is suited to someone with previous experience in coastal and offshore environmental surveys, who is looking to reduce the amount of time spent offshore and develop towards an office-based position within the industry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

You will play a crucial role in the production of project-specific QHSE documentation and in supporting the wider QHSE management system within Ocean Ecology. You will be responsible for the drafting and submission of health and safety documentation to the client, internal issue of RAMS and Health and Safety Plans to survey personnel and the management of project documentation within the company’s Health and Safety Management System (HSMS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the preparation and submission of Risk Assessments, Health and Safety Plans and Emergency Response Procedures to ensure all documentation is accurate and relevant to the project, that it complies with industry best-practice, health and safety regulations, and client-specific requirements and is aligned with the company’s HSMS.
• Collating supplementary documents, such as equipment and vessel specification sheets, vessel certification and relevant COSHH assessments.
• Issuing project QHSE resources to survey personnel and liaising with field teams, ensuring they have the necessary documentation, equipment, and support to complete tasks safely and effectively.
• Collating signed documentation and securing storage within OEL’s HSMS.
• Providing ad-hoc support to environmental surveys including intertidal surveys and multi-day nearshore surveys aboard coastal survey vessels.

Over time, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities within the OEL ISO-accredited QHSE system, providing a clear pathway for career progression within the company. Responsibilities could include:

• Development of company RAMS
• Development of policies and procedures
• Drafting of standard operating procedures
• Development of training materials
• Development of quality schemes, standards and accreditations.
• Involvement in project kick off and lesson learnt meetings and client Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) presentations.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

To succeed in this role, you will need strong organisational and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail. Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential, as you will be handling a variety of documents. Your ability to work effectively within a team and communicate clearly, both inwriting and verbally, will be crucial.

You must be able to deliver outputs in a timely manner and be reactive to changes to deadlines and task-priority due to the changeable nature of survey work.

Experience in a marine, environmental, or ecological sector with a focus on health and safety and safe working procedures underpinned by UK legislation will be advantageous. Familiarity with working in the offshore environment and using environmental survey equipment, will also be beneficial.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field, such as Environmental Science, Marine Biology, or applicable QHSE qualifications (Degree, IOSH, NEBOSH etc.), is required.

Up-to-date offshore safety qualifications and medical certification are desirable.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

We offer a flexible working policy including hybrid home-office arrangements working primarily from one of our UK locations in Gloucester, Oban or Plymouth (Ocean Ecology – Contact Us| Marine Ecological Surveys & Consultancy.).

Alternatively, the role could be undertaken from a local UK DNV office location (Findour locations worldwide – DNV), with travel to Ocean Ecology Ltd office locations as required.

HOW TO APPLY?

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and covering letter to recruitment@ocean-ecology.com. Closing date for applications: 10th January 2025.

* Please note we may close this position earlier if we find a successful candidate.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.