Principal Investigator (Psychosocial)

Working with us is more than just a job, it's making a difference to people's lives. We’re Queensland’s work health and safety regulator, part of the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR).

Our purpose is to improve work health and safety and reduce the risk of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illness in Queensland workplaces.

We work with industry and assist businesses to create a safe and healthy culture in Queensland places of work. We do this by:
- Making sure work health and safety laws are followed.
- Investigating work-related fatalities and serious injuries.
- Educating workplaces on ways to comply with legislation.
- Taking legal action when work health and safety laws are broken.
- Educating employees and employers on their legal obligations.

The Psychosocial Response Unit undertakes statewide compliance and engagement activities to ensure stakeholders are fulfilling their obligations in relation to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act) and the Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022.

The Principal Investigator (Psychosocial) will be part of an efficient, flexible and responsive statewide inspector team. This Principal Investigator (Psychosocial) role will provide loyal and resolute support to the Operations Manager (Psychosocial) and conduct and supervise complex and protracted investigations. This role is also responsible for ensuring that investigations meet requisite standards of quality, timeliness and efficiency and that investigative conduct is of the highest integrity. The Principal Investigator (Psychosocial) reports directly to the Operations Manager
(Psychosocial) and provides advice to the Director LAS.

Key responsibilities

• Utilise the powers appointed to inspectors according to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to assist the government in meeting the objectives of the Act. The powers afforded to Inspectors are wide ranging; Inspectors are held accountable for their use and are subject to internal and external scrutiny;
• Undertake physical tasks at workplaces to discharge inspector powers and functions and to effectively conduct inspectorate or investigative activity;
• Provide operational leadership, support and expert advice to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with procedures, objectives and performance standards adopted by the Office of Industrial Relation (OIR), assist with administrative requirements, and become personally involved in the case management of the more complex or potentially contentious psychosocial investigations;
• Provide expert advice to the Operations Manager (Psychosocial), Director Licensing and Regulatory Interventions and other key stakeholders on contemporary and emerging investigation and enforcement matters;
• Represent WHSQ and give evidence on workplace health and safety matters heard before an Industrial Magistrate, the Industrial Court, Tribunal or Coroner;
• Develop and maintain effective relationships and strategic networks with key internal and external stakeholders, client groups, duty holders and industry leaders to share information, identify on-going and emerging and issues and trends, and provide high level advice to the Investigations Manager;
• Stimulate innovation and team learning by mentoring and coaching inspectors and investigators, and taking an active role in the development and delivery of investigations training for inspectors and investigators;
• Take an active role in building relationships, sharing information and promoting cooperation across all government agencies; and
• Model professional and ethical behaviour and act in accordance with the Queensland Public Service legislative framework and Code of Conduct.

Successful applicants must have or be able to acquire:

• An Advanced Diploma of Government (Workplace inspection/Investigations/Fraud control) or equivalent, must be held at the time of submitting application;
• Whilst not mandatory, a higher degree qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. law, justice administration, criminology) is highly desirable;
• Previous experience in a role with significant health and safety responsibilities is required;
• A current driver's licence; and
• Computer skills necessary to accurately and efficiently input and retrieve data and develop reports from relevant business systems.

See the attached position description to apply now!

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/552522/24

Closing Date: Wednesday, 3rd April 2024