Job title: Senior Asbestos Officer
Salary: £37,336 - £40,221
Hours: 37
Contract: Full-Time
Location: Tribeca House and hybrid working
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated, reliable, and hardworking individual to join the Compliance team within Property Management which lies in the Housing section of Leeds City Council.
As a Senior Asbestos Officer, you will ensure that any asbestos related activities undertaken by the service will be compliant with health and safety legislation.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Senior Asbestos Officer you will bring to the role:
- Extensive knowledge and experience of the UK asbestos industry and the housing sector.
- Lead, advise and drive the Technical Services division on asbestos projects to ensure they comply with the relevant legislation
- Be able to communicate effectively and have appropriate formal writing skills
- Have the ability to manage staff and prioritise work loads
About the role
The Housing department undertakes a vast amount of asbestos related functions in a variety of different areas. The work ranges from the surveying and removal of asbestos products, managing asbestos contractors, organising and undertaking statutory inspections, and providing technical guidance to an array of different stakeholders.
The Senior Asbestos Officer will liaise with project teams such as planned work, voids, responsive repairs, adaptations, disrepair and M&E to ensure that asbestos related works are managed in line with legislative requirements. The Senior Asbestos Officer will also need to manage a team of asbestos officers to ensure workloads and priorities are delegated appropriately.
Other responsibilities include investigating accidents and near misses, chairing meetings, managing IT and financial systems, procuring new contractors, and communicating legislative change to colleagues.
The role is based at Tribeca House although home working is permitted. A driving license with business insurance is also essential.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Richard Walker, Compliance Manager. Call 07891272415 or email Richard.Walker2@Leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose
- The ultimate purpose of this role is to provide an excellent and highly effective asbestos service within the Housing department.
- Lead, advise and drive the Technical Services division on asbestos projects to ensure they comply with the relevant health & safety legislation for the entirety of its activities.
- Develop and implement strategic and operational guidance documents and policies for the asbestos team
- Support the delivery of service plans and operational projects in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the continuous and on-going innovation and improvement of the service in-line with council objectives in-order to achieve excellence
Responsibilities
- Provision of specialist technical advice and leadership to colleagues
- Work with organisations such as the HSE and external partners to safeguard LCC’s position
- Investigate near misses and asbestos disturbances with contractors to prevent reoccurrences
- Provide guidance and support on construction projects for internal workstreams such as responsive repairs, disrepair, voids, adaptations, planned work, the damp & mould team and planned work.
- Manage a team of Asbestos Officers to ensure that asbestos re-inspections and audits are undertaken in line with designated timelines
- Manage the Asbestos Removal, Bulk Sampling, and Analytical contracts
- Compose paperwork on asbestos matters. For example, report-writing, policies and guidance documents
- Present bespoke training sessions and toolbox talks to internal and external partners on asbestos matters
- Chair meetings with internal departments and external contractors
- Project manage asbestos surveys and removals for capital schemes in line with the organisation’s contract management requirements
- Manage LCC IT and financial systems and provide guidance to external contractors
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Essential requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- A full driving license with business insurance cover is required
- Have asbestos related qualifications (e.g. BOHS asbestos P-modules)
- To have extensive skills, knowledge and experience of the UK asbestos industry and the housing sector
- Understand construction related legislation such as the CDM regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act
- Be able to communicate effectively and have appropriate formal writing skills
- Able to use a range of Microsoft office applications as well as internal ICT systems
- Effective time management and prioritisation skills
- Ability to diagnose and develop solutions to complex issues
- Excellent interpersonal skills for challenging situations and scenarios
Essential behavioural and other characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
- A good knowledge of landlord and tenant responsibilities in relation to housing repairs and improvements
- A solid understanding of construction techniques
- Awareness of the different archetypes in Leeds City Council’s housing stock
- An understanding of information governance procedures and the need to handle personal data securely.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body
- Experience of procurement exercises which are undertaken by the housing department
