Operational Policy Engineer

80544 - Operational Policy Engineer

This Operational Policy Engineer will report to the Operational Safety Manager and will work within Health and Safety based in our any of regional offices within SPN, LPN and EPN such as Cambridge, Borehamwood, Bury St Edmunds, London, Crawley, Maidstone or other regional offices. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of dependant on experience, with the bandings being 11 kV SAP (with ONC) - £61,723, if you also have 33kv (with HNC) for £76,229 and EHV/33kV SAP (with HNC) in more than 1 DNO will be considered at £89,786, this includes a car/allowance on all bandings and a bonus of 3%.

Close Date: 26/03/2025.

We also provide the following additional benefits

• 23 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays. 
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers’ products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purposes

You will be to give competent operational safety advice to Managers, staff, contractors, and the public in all three licenced areas LPN, EPN and SPN including UKPN Services.

Dimensions

To work within the Operational Safety Team and engage with all Directorates and external bodies, providing ‘3rd line of defence’ advice to the directorates for all operational safety related matters. The team is essentially the authority on operational safety compliance in UK Power Networks.

You will also prepare and review operational procedures on underground and overhead systems, at the relevant voltages. Having a background in a specialist area, for example portable generation, tower lines, Live Line work or interconnected systems, will be beneficial.

Depending on experience, you will deputise for the Designated Engineer as required.                       

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide Network Health & Safety advice to all employees, contractors and the public as required, acting as an intermediary in all queries and challenges with the application of the Distribution Safety Rules & Approved Procedures.
• Review and preparation of existing procedures and development of new procedures or processes, ensuring these are communicated with relevant media to employees and contractors.
• Monitor compliance with HSS procedures against legal and moral obligations. Be a Subject Matter Expert on investigation panels, for Serious and Very Serious Incident investigations.  
• Engage and consult with the wider business and Union Safety Representatives by participation at Health, Safety & Environment Committees (HSEC), Safety Action Teams (SAT), working groups and other relevant forums, where appropriate.
• Work with the HSS management team to implement realistic short to long-term objectives as determined by the SHE strategy.
• Supporting Technical Training with the development of high-class training for operational staff and contractors and together with the Technical Assurance and Assessment and Accreditation Teams, assist in monitoring compliance with safe systems of work by supporting the Worker Accreditation Process.
• Liaise with Asset Management to guarantee maintenance and asset replacement activities meet the requirements of the Distribution Safety Rules. When required, supporting procurement activities by providing network safety advice and guidance.
• Participates in the development of solutions, as part of our strategic innovations and ensuring safety for both employees and the public.

Nature and scope

The jobholder will be a member of the SHE team and will work with management across UK Power Networks. You will report directly to the Operational Safety Manager.

The post holder will have the necessary attributes to represent us at operational and senior management level and this may include external suppliers or stakeholders. The post requires someone with experience operating to the highest standards on the distribution networks.

There will be a need to deputise for the Operational Safety Manager and fulfil the requirements as the Designated Engineer on occasion.

The post holder may be based at any of the locations listed, however will be expected to travel to all business sites and work locations when required.

Skill, Qualifications and experience:

An Engineer with current or previous Full 11 kV SAP (with ONC) for £61,723 or Minimum of 33kv (with HNC) for £76,229. An EHV/33kV SAP (with HNC) in more than 1 DNO will be considered for £89,786.

• ONC/HNC in Electrical Engineering
• IOSH Managing Safely certificate.
• Hold or be working towards the National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Certificate
• OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001 Internal Auditor qualification would be advantageous.
• Be a member of the IET and/or IOSH, or willing to work towards professional qualifications.
• Authorising Engineers status would be an advantage but not essential.
• Have experience in undertaking safety inspections or audits.
• Competently work with IT software packages (SAP, Office, ADMS).
• Hold a valid UK driving licence.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

If in doubt ask!

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

If you have any queries in connection to this vacancy or your application, please contact us at careers@ukpowernetworks.co.uk quoting the vacancy reference number and a member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.