Health & Safety Systems Specialist

Job Ref: DOH1218Branch: DFT OperatorLocation: Milton Keynes or BirminghamSalary/Benefits: Salary up to £55,725Contract type: Fixed TermHours: Full TimeHours per week: 37\.5Posted date: 26/05/2026Closing date: 08/06/2026 About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately\-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 \- and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.

DFTO has over 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 million customer journeys across its networks every year. 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year

Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership \- these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains.

We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Job:

Develop alongside Network Rail’ colleagues the new GBR Health Safety Management System and where needed contribute to the Safety Validation process on behalf of the business.

Follow the direction of the GBR design lead (Health and Safety Management System) within the GBR design system to provide technical input to the development and refinement of GBRs new health, safety management system incorporating suitable policies, means of control strategies such that the HSMS is suitably balanced between Infrastructure Manager and Transport Undertaking

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a subject matter expert on risk control for health and safety, the GBR Health Safety Management System and GBR safety validation, supporting the GBR safety design team to develop the GBR HSMS.


• Lead the development of specific risk control guidance to support the health and safety strategies enabling the delivery of the GBR programme.


• Develop and maintain comprehensive management systems for health and safety that comply with relevant legislation and standards and meet the requirements of ROGS, seeking to gain GBR’s appropriate Safety Authorisation.


• Provide specialist advice to the DfTO Group HSSS Director and the GBR Design Lead on risk control methodology to enable relevant updates to databases and systems used by the business when creating safe systems of work, or similar.


• Provide advice and guidance to the DfTO Group HSSS Director and the GBR Design Lead and the wider business (inc DfTO TOCS), on updates or changes in legislation (including European legislation), guidance or best practice that could affect current means of Control, guidance or standards for health and safety and undertake horizon scanning for future changes and developments, and future risks and opportunities for health, safety and wellbeing.


• Identify risk assessments and minimum controls for key risks associated with DfTO TOC functions, including railway operations, station management, construction, property management, depots, logistics and similar that are relevant for GBR’s HSMS.


• Be active in seeking learning from across the Rail Industry and wider to adsorb when relevant into GBRs HSMS design


• Manage the review of the extent to which Train Operator management systems are successful in effectively supporting the achievement of Train Operator’s strategic objectives, working with internal and external stakeholders as necessary.

Essential

• Must be a member of a relevant professional body such as The Institute of Occupational Health and safety (IOSH) at Technical (TechIOSH) level or above


• Understanding of the role of bowties in identifying risk controls


• Understanding of CSM and experience in developing and maintaining a Health Safety Management System


• Experience of participating in or arranging Safety Validation panels or similar


• Experience of working within a railway, construction or similar environment

Degree in Health, Safety or Risk related subject

Vacancy Details:

Duration: Fixed Term contract/secondment until October 2027

Location: Milton Keynes and Birmingham

Salary: up to £45,629 \- £55,725

Closing date: 8th June 2026

DFTO Benefits:

Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days)

DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution

Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Additional Information…

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.

About our people and the recruitment process \- We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk.

Please do not email any CV's to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.

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