Coordinator Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)

Permanent Full Time 

$105,392 pa (plus 11% super and annual pay increases)

Flexible working arrangements available including flexitime & WFH

Who we are

The Surf Coast is a major lifestyle and visitor destination that is among the fastest growing regional municipalities in Victoria located just one hour from Melbourne.

The secret to the Surf Coast's prosperity is lifestyle and connection to our beautiful, natural environment, from world class surfing beaches like Bells Beach, to our scenic coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road, and the many waterfalls and tranquil rainforests that surround Lorne. At Surf Coast Shire Council we care about our people and our community, we exists to support both to thrive. 

We value our employees and the contribution they make into our community. Our employees enjoy a supportive and connected culture, flexible work-life balance offering hybrid flexible working options, free staff onsite parking and much more.

About the Role

The WHS team provides service areas of WHS including Safety, Health & Wellbeing, Workers Compensation and works within the OHSAS 45001 framework. The Coordinator Workplace, Health & Safety is responsible for developing and maintaining a safety culture strategy encompassing a workforce of approx. 420 employees, including a small contingent of volunteers and contractors. As a leader in safety, you will have autonomy to build on our already strong safety brand and positively influence our safety culture. You will have the ability to make a positive impact and lead the strategic safety vision for Council.

About you
We are seeking an experienced WHS leader with a demonstrated strong commitment to safety You will work collaboratively with the leadership team to drive the implementation of the new psychological safety regulations and further review Council’s safety management system.

You will lead a small team of WHS Advisors within the broader People & Culture team and enjoy the support of a very active team of Health and Safety representatives embedded across the organisation.

Key deliverables for this position include embedding a successful WHS Business Partnership model and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that safety is at the forefront of everything we do.  

Key accountabilities include:

• Drive the strategic and operational delivery of best practice wellbeing Health and Safety across a diverse and multi-location organisation to shape the way we approach the safety, Health and wellbeing of Council employees, contractors and volunteers.
• Create the structure, systems and processes that enable employees to take ownership of their own Health and Safety outcomes.  This includes developing WHS policies and procedures and delivering some safety related training.
• Provide quality advice and guidance for people leaders, managers, employees and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), to identify, monitor and manage risks in accordance with legislation and Council policy.  This will include risk workshops, hazard identification, ergonomic issues, chemicals hazards and risks.  You will also develop and analyse safety KPI’s and reports including regular briefings to the Executive Management Team 
• Provide policy direction for the Workplace, Health and Safety practices of Council that ensure compliance to relevant legislation, regulations, standards and policies.  You will lead and deliver the WHS audit and systems review and undertake quality control of WHS documentation.
• Oversee Workers Compensation and Council’s Wellbeing Program
• Lead a small team of experienced safety professionals providing support, guidance and day to day leadership.
• Develop strong, collaborative working relationships with the HR team and business leaders.

Key Selection Criteria
Mandatory Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum Certificate IV in Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) with demonstrated 3 years' experience in safety leadership in both an industrial and office-based environment.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, engage and influence others to achieve positive safety outcomes. 
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in the development of preventative strategies to minimise Health and Safety risks in the workplace.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of relevant WHS legislation legislation, guidelines and WHS management practices.
• Experience in the administration and coordination of WorkCover claims management including resolving long term injuries and developing return to work strategies.
• Current driver’s licence. 
• A current WWCC.
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council). A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated experience with auditing and risk assessments (Preferred Internal Audit Certification).
• Working knowledge of the development requirements and ongoing accreditation of OHSAS45001 or similar quality management systems.
• Qualifications and/or certification in Return to Work and/or Lead Investigator
• Experience in Local Government or a work environment with a diversified and distributed workforce would be highly regarded.
• Experience in the development and delivery of Health and Safety programs for large organisations.

Working for us

Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life. Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life. This includes people of all genders (women, men and those who are gender diverse), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with a disability, sexually diverse people, people with lived experience and people of all ages.

We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community and it’s why our Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying. We value the uniqueness of individuals and provide an environment in which all employees are able to contribute to our success. 

What you’ll love

• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options, RDOs.
• Career development & learning opportunities, we help our people grow.
• Purchase of additional annual leave.
• Free onsite parking.
• Leave loading.
• Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program.

More information on the role accountabilities, and the key selection criteria can be found in the Position Description which is available above (our website)/on our website (SEEK).

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Jill Moodie on 5261 0600.

How to apply

Applications should include a cover letter, a statement addressing the selection criteria and a copy of your resume. Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the selection criteria will be considered for this position.

To apply for this position, you must have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.

Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application.

Applications close at 5pm Sunday 28 January 2024

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer and completes police checks for all employees.

To apply online please visit https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/About-us/Working-with-us/Employment.   We will be in touch with you shortly regarding your application.