Job Title:Human Resources/Health and Safety Manager

Job Description

Location:The Manor House, Broad Street, Cambourne, Cambs, CB23 6DH

Accountable to:Chief Executive Officer

Salary:£35,000 to £40,000 depending on experience

Hours:37.5 hours per week

Transport:You will be required to provide your own car, but will be reimbursed for business-related mileage (currently 45p per mile for cars over 1000cc)

Employment subject to:Satisfactory reference and a six-month probationary period.

About The Wildlife Trust BCN

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire is a registered charity (and a company limited by guarantee), whose mission is to:

conserve local wildlife, by caring for land ourselves and with others;
inspire others to take action for wildlife; and
inform people, by offering advice and sharing knowledge.

We are among the largest and most effective of 47 Wildlife Trusts across Britain and we are a major contributor to the nationwide work of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. We currently manage 126 nature reserves, covering almost 3,945 hectares, and two education centres. Our work also includes the acquisition and application of information about biodiversity. The Trust’s turnover in 2014/15 was over £5million and its capital assets more than £19million, of which over half (£10million) is classified as heritage assets. This Trust was the first to promote the concept of Living Landscapes: large-scale conservation schemes which aim to ensure that wildlife can thrive alongside the human population across an entire landscape. Our conservation activity is increasingly focused on these Living Landscapes, including the first to be established - the Great Fen in Huntingdonshire – as well as the Ouse Valley, the Nene Valley and the North Chilterns Chalk.

The Trust’s annual report and accounts are posted on our website:

The work of the Trust is directed by the 2015 -20 five-year vision which can be found at: To achieve the targets within this plan, the Trust is managed and directed by an Executive Board of four Directors.

The Trust evolved from a group of committed volunteers, and volunteering is still central to its ethos. The working culture of the Trust encourages a professional approach, with a commitment and enthusiasm for nature and its conservation. Mutual respect and teamwork are highly prized among both staff and volunteers. In all its dealings the Trust tries to be fair but firm and in all its activities it aims to be environmentally responsible. Systems, processes and bureaucracy are kept to the necessary minimum for effective performance.

The Chief Executive reports to the Trust’s Council of 14 Trustees, who are elected annually from the membership (presently standing at almost 37,000). Council and its two Committees (Conservation, Education & Community; and Resources) meet quarterly. There are 100 staff members, with main offices in Bedford, Great Cambourne, Northampton, and Peterborough, and over 1,000 active volunteers. The Executive Board consists of the Chief Executive, the Director of Living Landscapes, the Director of Finance & Administration and the Director of Marketing & Fundraising. Reporting to the Executive Board is a team of senior managers, which includes the Head of Fundraising, Communications Manager, Head of Education & Community, Conservation Managers and the HR/Health & Safety Manager.

Human Resources/Health and Safety Manager

Main purpose

To work closely with the Executive Board to oversee risk management and ensure legal compliance with all relevant employment and Health and Safety related legislation/guidelines.
To protect the safety and welfare of all Trust staff and volunteers, visitors to Trust sites and participants in Trust events.
To deliver a high quality human resource and Health and safety service
To develop and implement HR and H&S policies, procedures and practices
Oversee compliance with the Equality Act and the development of best practise in physical and intellectual access to all Trust services.
To line manage two part-time roles, a Health and Safety Officer and a part-time Human Resources Administration Support Officer.

Key responsibilities

Human Resources

Oversee staff induction and training, professional development reviews, and other line management-related functions.

Oversee management of staff and volunteer welfare, support and training, professional development reviews, disciplinary procedures and other line management-related issues.

Oversee the monitoring of annual leave, sick leave and time off in lieu.

Oversee staff and volunteer recruitment, employment contracts, Criminal Records Checks, employment policies etc

Work closely with the Executive Board and Leadership Teamto deliver the HR Strategy

Maintain the staff manual and manage and review employee induction procedures.

Manage the Trust’s Human Resources budget.

Liaise with other Trusts and other external bodies to promote sharing of best practise in Human Resources.

Manage employee relations and grievance/disciplinary cases to successful resolution

Dealing with day to day HR queries at all levels by phone, email and in person

Ensure that all HR policies and procedures are up to date and legislatively compliant

Oversee maintenance of the training database, booking training courses where necessary

Production of reports for Executive Board and Trustees as required

Work closely with Managers to develop People Management skills across the Trust.

Compilation of accurate management information regarding employment issues within the organisation including pay and benefits, retention, training and resource management.

Health and Safety

Ensure implementation of best practise in risk management, health and safety and accessibility across the Trust.

Keep accurate records and produce regular reports for Trustees

Oversee the Trust’s Health & Safety budget.

Liaise with other Trusts and other conservation bodies to promote sharing of best practise.

Make changes to working practices, where applicable, that are safe and comply with legislation

Prepare health and safety strategies and developing internal policy

Outline safe operational procedures which identify and take account of all relevant hazards

Carry out regular inspections to check policies and procedures are being properly implemented and produce reports.

Lead in-house training with managers and employees about health and safety issues and risks.

Oversee the keeping of records of incidents and accidents and producing statistics

Keeping up to date with new legislation and maintaining a working knowledge of all The Health and Safety Executive legislation and any developments that affect the employers organisation.

Attending Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) seminars and reading professional journals

Attend the meetings of the Conservation Safety Network

Producing management reports, newsletters and bulletins

Managing and organising the safe disposal of hazardous substances, e.g. asbestos

Advising on a range of specialist areas, eg fire regulations, hazardous substances, noise, safeguarding machinery and occupational diseases.

Go about duties in a resource-efficient way and minimise impacts to the environment wherever possible.

Help recruit new members and supporters in the course of your day-to-day activities and by assisting those with direct recruitment responsibilities.

Present a positive and welcoming image of the Trust to everyone.

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this document. This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.

Human Resources/Health and Safety Manager

Competencies
Experience and Qualifications / Hold professional membership of CIPD and IOSH
Hold a current driving licence and be able to use own vehicle for work purposes on occasion
Experience of budget management, financial monitoring and reporting
Experience of managing multiple projects and working to strict deadlines
Experience of working in an HR and H&S department and line management
Experience of developing and delivering training programmes
Knowledge / Keen interest in and commitment to wildlife and environmental issues
Ability to take a creative and imaginative approach to projects and applications
Accurately and safely collects, processes, and maintains data in line with BCN WT policy
Considerable ability to think strategically
Excellent working knowledge of employment and Health and Safety legislation
Skills / Experience of briefing and managing contactors and negotiating for services
Excellent administrative and organisational ability
Highly competent in use of Windows/Microsoft Office-based computing skills, including word, Excel, database, email etc.
Excellent administrative, project management, financial and organisational skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Able to maintain employee and employer confidentiality
Work with other people / Visible and approachable to all
Act as a role model for Wildlife Trust values
Build, maintain and improve relationships with key external partners to achieve best practical outcomes
Set a climate by personal example where staff/team members are encouraged to value individual contribution, diversity and are tolerant of different working patterns
Encourage managers to help self and other staff/team members to achieve the most suitable life balance given work demands and personal preferences
Set a climate where managers are encouraged to build and develop teams with complementary skills to ensure that right people are in the right place to achieve results.

The Wildlife Trust BCN has assessed all roles to determine the competency level required to fulfil each job. For more information or to see the full competency framework, contact the HR Manager.

Terms and conditions:summary for candidates

The following terms and conditions are typically offered to The Wildlife Trust BCN staff on fixed-term or permanent contracts, and are set out here for your information only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances and this summary does not form part of any subsequent employment contract.

Probationary period:Six months with a review at three months. During the probation period the contract may be terminated with one week’s notice.

Annual leave:28 days annual leave (three of which arenonpro rata and are fixed and must be taken between 25th December and 1st January) and bank holidays per annum (pro rata for part-time staff and those working less than a year).

Pension:Contributory pension. The Trust contributes 4% salary. The employee will be enrolled into the Trusts preferred pension scheme after 3 months continuous service.