Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Technician Apprentice

Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £18,900

Hours: Full time – 37 Hours

Contract Type: Fixed Term – 2 Years 

Location: Boulby, Saltburn on sea 

Closing date: 16th February 2025

Boulby Underground Laboratory is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). We are looking to recruit an apprentice Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Technician to join us in September 2025. The apprentice will be part of the team supporting and facilitating a number of multidisciplinary science projects in the underground laboratory. STFC has over 20 years’ experience in providing apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience within the science and engineering arena. 

As a Level 3 Apprentice SHE Technician you will work closely with the Boulby Underground Laboratory HS&E Manager and the site management team and assist them in delivering SHE advice and support to the wider Boulby team, visitors, contractors and facility users. You will assist in the development and delivery of the SHE management systems, safe systems of work and training. You will assist in incident investigations and prepare and present analytical data (SHE metrics). 

About Boulby Underground Laboratory 

The Boulby Underground Laboratory is located at Boulby Mine on the north-east coast of England and on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. It is the UK’s deep underground science facility and has hosted deep underground science since the 1990s. It is a special place for science – a ‘quiet place in the universe’ – where studies can be carried out almost entirely free of interference from natural background radiation. Projects at the Boulby Underground Laboratory range from astrophysics (including the search for dark matter) to ultra-low background material screening, studies of geology and geophysics, climate, the environment, life in extreme environments on Earth and beyond. You can learn more about us here (https://www.boulby.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx) 

Boulby Underground Laboratory is part of the Particle Physics Department at STFC, which is one of the largest particle physics groups in the UK. We design, construct, operate and exploit some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, Super-K, T2K, nuSTORM, Lux-Zeplin, XLZD, LiquidO/nuCLOUD, MIGDAL, Electron Ion Collider, AION, SWIFT-HEP, Detector R&D (DRD) and GridPP collaborations. 

About an Apprenticeship

With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role. If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover! 

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements. 

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. 

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

• Assisting with regular SHE and housekeeping inspections of the workplace.
• Assisting in the development of risk assessments and method statements.
• Assisting with incident investigations and learning events.
• Assist in providing day to day ‘shopfloor’ SHE presence.
• Assist in the collation of SHE metrics.
• Assist in using SHE IT systems.
• Assist in SHE communications.
• Work in a facility that is deep underground in a mine.

Through the training provider, Penshaw View Training, you will undertake a Level 3 SHE Technician 

Apprenticeship which will include: 

• Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification – Level 3 SHE Technician
• On-the-job competency training.

Person Specification

In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:

Key – (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.

Essential: 

• Achieved passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths & English (S)
• IT literacy (S)
• A basic understanding of the requirements of workplace H&S. (S&I)
• Good spoken and written communication skills. (S&I)
• Self-confidence to communicate effectively and respectfully challenge behaviours in a non-confrontational manner. (I)
• Work effectively in a team. (S&I)

Desirable: 

• Knowledge and interest in science. (S&I)
• High organisational skills and the ability to work independently (I)

Applicants must be 18 years or over to comply with site health and Safety regulations 

Important Information

1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2025, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.

2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.

3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process.

If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider. 

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org if you have any questions. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? 

Join us and discover what’s possible! 

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ 

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ 

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. 

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. 

More information can be found at www.ukri.org. 

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

How to apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. 

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