HSE - The Application Process And How To Apply

Application Process and Instructions on How to Apply

Campaign is now closed. Visit hse.gov.uk/careers for other opportunities within HSE.

How the process will work

The application and selection process is thorough and, as well as allowing us to assess your ability to do the job, is designed to provide you with an insight into the work of a Trainee Inspector of Health & Safety. The objective of the process is to evaluate each candidate’s ability in relation to the competencies that have been defined as being important attributes for the role. The key stages of the process are:

Stage 1 – Application Form

Complete the on-line application form available via our website which asks for some personal details and examples of how you meet the criteria for the role. Please read the guidance at the beginning of the form so that you understand the information that we need from you. The closing date for submission of completed applications is midnight on Wednesday 21 April 2010.

Once you have completed and submitted your application, you will be sent an e-mail confirming that we have received it.

All candidates who meet the basic eligibility criteria for the role will be sent an e-mail inviting them to complete an on-line Situational Judgement assessment tool known as Siftability™ within three working days of submission.

Stage 2 - Siftability™

Siftability™ is known as a Situational Judgement assessment tool. That is, it presents “real” situations based on the challenges that can be faced within a generic business situation and asks you what you would do in response to each challenge.

About the scenarios

Please note that the scenarios used in Siftability™ are not directly related to the role of Trainee Inspector. However the exercises do test the underpinning behaviours and competencies required by a Trainee Inspector. Therefore, it is not essential to know or have experience of the setting/context in the individual scenarios.

You will need to complete the test on-line.
Your invite to the test will come from support@siftability.co.uk and contain three URL links which represent the three exercises that you will need to complete. These will be sent to the e-mail address that you used to register your application so please ensure that you check this regularly.
Also remember that your internet settings may divert e-mails to your junk mail or spam folder if it considers the material to be unsolicited so remember to check the junk mail or spam folder as well.

Please note that Siftability™ must be completed by 4pm on 29 April 2010. It is strongly advised that you complete Siftability™ as soon as possible after you receive it. It is not advisable to complete ‘last minute’ as you need to allow time for completion and the deadline cannot be extended beyond the defined date.

The on-line test invitation will include details of how to access user support if you encounter any technical difficulties.

Stage 3 – On-line Tests

Candidates who are successful in the Siftability™ test will be invited to complete a further set of on-line tests, in the week commencing 10 May 2010, which will include Numerical and Mechanical Reasoning and which must be completed by 4pm on 19 May 2010.

Please note you will be re-tested at the assessment to verify your test scores.

Stage 4 - Assessment

Once the on-line tests are complete, candidates will be placed in merit order and invited to attend an assessment centre. The invitation will also request candidates to complete an on-line personality profile.

Assessment centres will be held:

Week commencing 14 June 2010 – Merseyside
Week commencing 21 June 2010 – London
Week commencing 5 July 2010 - Merseyside

The event will be a full day event and will consist of:

A structured, competency-based interview;
A group discussion exercise;
Two written exercises;
A verbal reasoning test;
A re-test of the Numerical Reasoning test.

Further details will be provided if you are invited to attend the assessment event.

If you are invited to the assessment event and you want to find out more about the role and work of an Inspector, you will have the opportunity on the assessment day to ask questions of existing / previous Inspectors.

If you are successful and are offered a post you will be expected to start work with us on Monday 4 October 2010. This date is not negotiable.

Please note that you will receive an e-mail from us if you are unsuccessful at any of the selection stages.

If you have any questions about the application process, please call Capita on 01256 383753

Please do not call HSE direct.

Travel and Overnight Expenses for interview

If travelling within the United Kingdom HSE will refund your travelling expenses, within certain limits (and your accommodation costs if you have to stay overnight) if incurred through attendance at an interview or examination. Details will accompany your invitation to interview or examination.

However HSE cannot refund expenses for travel to this country from abroad. If you are already a civil servant, you may wish to ask your HR department whether you can be regarded as travelling on duty. If you are serving overseas in HM Forces, you should ask your service authority about the possibility of travel at public expense.

Referees

HSE is required to seek references to cover the last 3 years. You should not send testimonials, you will be asked on your application form, or, at a later stage if you are considered otherwise acceptable for appointment, for the names of referees, who are not related to you and who have given permission for us to approach them. They should have first-hand knowledge of your qualifications and experience and be able to report on your present or recent employment. If you have undertaken relevant further education in the last 5 years, you should name the member of the academic staff best acquainted with your work and conduct. You should give more than one name if this is necessary in order to cover the period of such education.

Health Declaration

We want you to be able to give regular and effective service in your new role, without undue risk to your health. If you are successful you will be asked to provide details of your health on a health declaration form. This will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be examined by HSE’s Occupational Health Service provider.

Security Clearance

Some posts require security clearance and successful applicants will have to undergo an appropriate level of security vetting.

Nationality

Most civil service posts are open to UK Nationals; Commonwealth citizens (which includes British Dependent Territories citizens, British Nationals (overseas), and British Overseas citizens; British Protected persons; EEA nationals (including EFTA) of other member states; and certain non-EEA family members.

Character

If you are appointed, a check against the National Collection of Criminal Records may be undertaken and documentary evidence sought to confirm your answers.

Diversity

HSE wants to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse society in which we seek to protect people from harm. We value the individual contributions that people with different backgrounds, skills and abilities bring to the organisation. We therefore seek and welcome applications from people irrespective of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.