Please follow instructions on the Winton Shire Council website: https://www.winton.qld.gov.au/council/employment

Position Title

Workplace Health and Safety Officer

Position Number

CS10236

Department

Corporate Services

Classification

Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award 2017 and Winton Shire Council Enterprise Bargain Agreement 2023 as varied. Level 6 ($95,723.16 -$100,760.92 per annum)

Terms of employment

Permanent Full time

Supporting documents

Employee Code of Conduct

Workplace Health & Safety Responsibilities

Winton Shire Council Drug and Alcohol Policy

Winton Shire Council’s Corporate Values are:

Accountability:

The ethical concept associated with responsibility, enforcement, blameworthiness, transparent process, liability, and other terms associated with being answerable for the trust that is bestowed by those whom we serve.

Effectiveness:

The idea of carrying out a program or process that is entirely adequate to accomplish the purpose that has been identified as a goal or aspiration.

Efficiency:

The concept that in the process of pursuing or effecting any program, procedures, or task where all wastage is minimised.

Sustainability:

Is the capacity to maintain a certain process or state indefinitely? When applied in an economic context, a business is sustainable if it has accepted its practices for the use of renewable resources and is accountable for the environmental impact of its activities.

Meaningful Community Engagement:

Encompasses the principle of seeking the views and opinions of the Community. This is to be through an effective committee system and public consultation process as part of Council’s decision making methodology.

Good Governance:

This describes the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented), hereby, public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources, and guarantee the realisation of human rights. Good governance accomplishes this in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law.

Ethical and Legal Behaviour:

Ethical behaviour is characterised by honesty, fairness, and equity in all interpersonal relationships. Ethical behaviour respects the dignity, diversity and rights of individuals and groups of people. When coupled with legal behaviours there is an expectation that there will be a penalty for conduct that breaches any law statute or regulation.

Organisational relationships

Reports to:

Directly – Executive Manager Corporate Services

Supervision of:

No supervision applicable

Internal Liaisons

All Council Departments as required.

External liaisons

Local Government WorkCare, Division of Workplace Health and Safety and other regulatory authorities, Contractors and other Councils.

Position objectives

The Workplace Health and Safety Officer position will:

Provide specialist subject matter advice and support to Council regarding WHS legislative requirements, WHS requirements and developments in the field of WHS.

Be responsible for the review and maintenance of Council’s WHS policies and procedures that foster a “Zero Harm” culture using continuous improvement approaches that ensures WHS compliance as a minimum standard.

Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure engagement in and embracing of Council’s safety program by the whole workforce.

Specify, develop, and implement training programs and other associated learning activities for the Council workforce.

Participate in Council’s Rehabilitation and Return to Work processes.

Qualifications/Licences/Tickets required

The following qualifications and licences are desired:

Mandatory

Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety.

White Card (General Safety Induction Card).  Current “C” Class driver’s licence.

Working with Children Blue card.

Rehab and Return to Work Training Qualifications

Drug and alcohol qualifications (or the ability to obtain).

Pass a criminal history check.

Additional requirements and working conditions

The Council Employee Code of Conduct applies to this position. The position is also required to:

High level of knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety Systems within Local Government operations and a minimum of five (5) years experience as a WHS professional preferably in the Local Government Sector.

Demonstrated high level communication skills, both written and verbal with a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a broad range of people and manage sometimes-difficult situations.

Experience in WHS consulting and or advisory roles, preferably in medium to large sized organisations.

Sound knowledge of and experience in applying WHS legislation.

Travel within the Shire will be required of this position. Council will supply a vehicle for business use only.

Abnormal and intermittent working hours may be required of this position.

Housing may be available if required.

Statement of key responsibilities and duties

The following key responsibilities may be modified from time to time to ensure the expected outcomes are coordinated with Council’s operational and corporate plans.

The key responsibilities of the position are:

Coordinate Council’s Workplace Health and Safety Management System.

Manage and maintain all documentation, procedures, and policies of the WHS system.

Conduct and maintain records of Employee and Contractor Workplace Health and Safety Inductions.

Liaise with HR Team to ensure that training pertaining to Workplace Health and Safety is conducted in a timely manner and that there is liaison in relation to annual training plans.

Investigate all Workplace Health and Safety incidents and regularly report on same to management.

Develop additional policies in line with Councils WHS strategic direction.

Facilitate WHS committee meetings.

Ensure workplace inspections are conducted.

Ensure the maintenance of WHS equipment and ensure calibration of equipment remains current.

Incorporate health and safety activities into Council’s operational planning.

Develop annual budget requirements for WHS.

Conduct internal annual safety assessments (mini audits) of the WHS system.

Lead, coordinate carry out the coordination and delivery of Council’s Drug and Alcohol policy/ testing on Council Sites which may also include consultation via an external Drug and Alcohol Testing Contractor.

Report to the Senior Leadership Team on progression of WHS System when required.

In consultation with the Executive Manager of Corporate Services, develop and track WHS training for staff including legislative requirements as well as skills training.

Complete incident and accident reports in a timely manner, ensuring accurate filing, and notify Local Government Association of Queensland and the Division (of Workplace Health and Safety) where required.

Complete rehabilitation claims forms and other documents on behalf of injured workers in a timely manner.

Coordinate medical visits, specialist reviews etc. on behalf of injured workers where required.

Liaise with injured workers and supervisors to assist HR with timely development of prudent suitable duties and return to work plans.

Ensure comprehensive records, running sheets, and case notes pertaining to rehabilitation claims are readily available.

Any other duties as directed by the CEO and within the appropriate award classification

Key selection criteria

The applicant’s suitability for this role will be assessed against the following competencies:

Selection Criteria 1

A minimum of Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety qualification and considerable demonstrated experience.

Selection Criteria 2

Demonstrated high level communication skills, both written and verbal with a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a broad range of people

Selection Criteria 3

High level of knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety Systems in Local Government operations, and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a WHS professional is desirable within the Local Government sector.

Selection Criteria 4

Demonstrated knowledge and experience to ensure that the Council is compliant with legislation, codes of practice, and standard.

Selection Criteria 5

Competent in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.

Other relevant information

The selected applicant will be subject to a criminal history check – undertaken and paid for by Council.

The selected applicant will be required to undertake a pre-medical assessment to prove that they are medically fit to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position with Council covering the cost.

This position will be subject to a minimum probationary period of three (3) months. The applicant’s employment will undergo a review at the end of the probationary period and a recommendation will be made to the Chief Executive Officer regarding permanent employment in the position.

The selected applicant may be required to provide Winton Shire Council with a recent photograph of the person, at the time of the person’s induction, for the purpose of creating a Winton Shire Council Employee Identity Card. Under (s138A) of the Queensland Local Government Act 2009 the employee has a legal obligation to hand any such identity card/s back to the employer within twenty-one days of termination of employment, unless the employee has a reasonable excuse.

In the event of organisational change or restructure, Council may require employees to undertake other roles for which they are qualified and capable of performing.

In the event of organisational change or restructure, Council may require employees to undertake other roles for which they are qualified and capable of performing.