Work Health & Safety Officer

The Opportunity

Lithgow City Council has an exciting opportunity for a Work Health & Safety Officer to join their team in Lithgow, NSW.

Reporting to the Work Health & Safety and Risk Coordinator you will be responsible for driving improvements to Work Health and Safety program across Council using a customer focused improvement approach, taking into account organisational priorities, and legislative requirements. The Work Health & Safety Officer is responsible for the continuous improvement of Council’s Work Health & Safety management system including implementing appropriate policies, processes, strategies and plans that foster a safe workplace.

The position will monitor, report, audit and review processes to ensure regulatory compliance. Effective collaborating and engagement with all necessary internal stakeholders is key to this positions’ success and ensuring Council performs within legislative requirements to minimise safety risk and financial liability.

More specifically, your duties will include (but will not be limited to):

• Assist with implementation of Council's Work Health & Safety Management system, including but not limited to, consultation, emergency preparedness, investigation & corrective action, WHS audit and specific hazards associated with Lithgow City Council Operations. 
• Report/Provide advice to Management and staff on Work Health & Safety related matters
• Undertake and attend training in relation to Work Health & Safety
• Be the visible and available Work Health & Safety resource in the field, consulting with workers at all sites, modelling safe behaviours and encouraging model WHS behaviours in workers. 
• Support managers and supervisors in implementing new and updated policies and procedures, and in meeting Council's Work Health & Safety objectives and targets for their section. 
• Provide professional and detailed recommendations on the reduction and elimination of risks and hazards in accordance with Work Health and Safety Act and regulations.
• Organise and conduct training for staff in relation to Work Health & Safety Development, conduct and evaluate various training activities for staff, contractors and volunteers in relation to WHS (for example manual handling and employee induction).

For more detail about the specific duties and responsibilities of the position, please CLICK HERE for the complete Position Description. 

About you

The successful candidate will meet the following criteria:

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with relevant experience
• Diploma Level Work Health & Safety qualifications and extensive experience relevant to the role.
• Class C Drivers Licence
• Demonstrated experience in the facilitation of end-to-end Incident Management processes to drive an accountable and positive safety culture in a large organisation.
• Proven experience in undertaking complex safety investigations with the ability to interpret, evaluate and measure results and utilise the learnings to proactively drive and facilitate positive change.
• Proven high level influencing skills coupled with the ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders to promote a robust safety culture to achieve positive outcomes.
• Proven experience in administrating, reviewing, reporting and documenting Work Health & Safety processes within a medium sized organisation.
• Proven high-level computer skills including; operating systems, office suites, presentation software, spreadsheets and communication tools.
• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding and application of relevant legislation, and risk management principles, in the workplace to drive change and influence positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in working as part of a successful team and in addition, the ability to be self-sufficient, working autonomously as required
• An open, honest and professional attitude 

In addition, an ideal candidate would have experience and competency in auditing and have a Return to Work Co-ordinator certificate. 

Salary and Benefits

If you are looking for a change of lifestyle, a new adventure, or to take the next step in your career, this is the role for you.

• Between $1,568.10 and $1,761.90 per week, commensurate with your skills, qualifications and experience. 
• Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working environment 
• Work/Life balance with a rostered day off every fortnight 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON Sunday 24 November at 4pm AEST.

Please note: To be considered for this position, candidates must address all selection criteria. Those who do not address the selection criteria with examples will not be considered.

Applications generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not be progressed in the recruitment process.

Preferred applicants will be required to undertake a pre-employment medical, which includes a drug and alcohol screening and functional assessment. Preferred applicants may be subject to reference checks, driving history checks, qualification checks, a NSW Police Check, a Working with Children check and confirmation of your Right to Work in Australia.

You must be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or a permanent resident or have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

Lithgow City Council

The Lithgow local government area is located on the western edge of the majestic Blue Mountains. The area totals 4,567 square kilometres from the Capertee and Wolgan Valleys in the north, Little Hartley in the east, Tarana in the south and Meadow Flat in the west. 

The major urban centre of Lithgow nestles in a valley of that name, overlooked by the sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains. In the addition to the major urban centre of Lithgow, the Lithgow local government area has 12 villages with mining or farming backgrounds. These smaller centres have proven to be a attractive rural residential areas which, along with the broader rural areas offer a truly unique lifestyle that harmonises its urban, industrial and rural qualities.

Council is focused on delivering quality services as a Centre of Regional Excellence that encourages community growth and development, and contributes to the efficient and effective management of the environment, community and economy for present and future generations. 

The guiding principles of integrity, resilience, respect and accountability define how Lithgow City Council strengthen its working environment to deliver on the aspirations of our community. For further details on Council's values, please visit https://council.lithgow.com