Occupational Safety Specialist

Requisition ID: 37628

Company

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Occupational Safety Specialist will work with assigned departments / employee groups. With a customer service focus, incumbents co-own safety within their assigned portfolios and are responsible for analyzing operating procedures, materials, equipment and conditions at work sites to determine risks of injury and occupational disease. Responsibilities include developing and implementing measures for controlling workplace hazards and limiting loss and liability for City.

In partnership with assigned business units, incumbents are responsible for ensuring compliance with OH&S Regulations and Standards, City Policies, Programs and Procedures related to OH&S. They lead in implementation and coordination of safety measures, and review promoting continuous improvement.

This position is required to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and assist in the development of practical controls for safety hazards and compliance.

Deliverables include:

• providing advice, direction or recommendations on Regulatory compliance to managers;
• investigating multi-business unit safety concerns or incidents and providing reports and recommendations to managers;
• coordinating projects;
• developing and delivering educational programs and materials as required;
• conducting ergonomic assessments and related recommendations; and
• guiding and assisting with the operation of site Safety Committees

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing safety programs/systems/approaches
• Promoting and facilitating the hierarchy of controls for hazards
• Auditing and inspecting work sites
• Examining plans for buildings and equipment and making safety/ergonomic related recommendations
• Conducting safety and health audits
• Preparing reports
• Lead or manage accident / incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are completed
• Keeping up with the best practices and legislative changes
• Monitoring environmental quality factors such as air/noise/heat
• Implement and monitor compliance with new or existing corporate or departmental safety and health programs
• In partnership with Operations, lead OH&S regulatory compliance
• Provide recommendations at the departmental or corporate level to improve programs
• Monitor and correct performance, relating to OH&S, of management, supervisors and unionized staff liaising with the managers. This may include participation in progressive discipline
• When deemed necessary, halt all work being performed until a safety issue is resolved
• Manage any Refusals of Unsafe Work per the BC OH&S Regulation and corporate procedures
• Assess needs and provide safety related training, liaising with Operations
• Assess needs, and coordinate delivery of health programs such as hearing testing and vaccinations
• Conduct occupational hygiene sampling and author reports with recommendations for corrective actions
• Assist in the procurement of and manage, when required, occupational safety or hygiene contractors/consultants
• Coordinate, deliver or monitor orientations for new or transferred staff and/or contractors and consultants, as needed
• Identify the need for, and lead or update, hazard identification and risk assessments
• Facilitate the administration of City programs such as Confined Spaces, WHMIS and incident investigations
• Identify the need for new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), facilitate the creation with supervisors and staff, write and/or update SOPs
• Analyze and produce statistics and metrics related to OH&S as prescribed
• Ensure compliance with first aid requirements
• Monitor collection of information and entry of WSCB Investigations
• Lead emergency scene management for work related incidents
• Attend Safety Committee meetings as a safety specialist working closely with representatives to ensure meetings occur, are documented as required and meet objectives
• Identify, assess and address OH&S issues as they are raised with management team, staff and safety committees
• Develop and complete action plans relating to findings and corrective actions in inspections, audits, safety committee meetings, management meetings and investigations
• Disseminate OH&S information to management, supervisors and staff and staff: develop Safety Talk materials as needed
• Liaise with WSBC staff on inspections, incident investigations and consultation
• Keep Manager, organizational Safety, apprised of emerging issues and critical incidents
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Degree, Diploma or Certificate (combined with experience) in Occupational Health and/or Safety or, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Professional Designation (or working towards): CRSP, ROH or CIH preferred
• Three or more years of experience leading an operations team in Occupational Health and Safety
• Experience working in the public sector operations or a unionized environment is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable regulatory knowledge and demonstrated practical application of occupational health and safety policies and programs in a unionized operations environment
• Knowledge of coaching, mentoring and performance management practices
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including technical writing, facilitating meetings, giving presentations and the ability to influence and promote teamwork and build relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
• Strong management and facilitation skills to plan and manage the health and safety programs and manage safety investigations
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and in SAP and Hansen
• Ability to manage change and assist people with adapting to change at all levels of the Organization
• Ability to compile, draft and maintain correspondence, spreadsheets, reports, presentations and minutes
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks and changing priorities with tight time frames
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• An aptitude to provide an outstanding experience for clients
• Proven decision making and problem solving skills
• Ability to perform functions of the position with minimal supervision
• Strong multi-tasking, time-management, negotiation and communication (verbal and written) skills
• Strong diplomacy skills with an ability to be flexible and also give and take direction well
• Excellent documentation and time management skills
• Strong computer literacy skills

Job Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license (recognized in BC)
• Local area travel is a requirement
• May be assigned to and /or rotated through various City operations and locations

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: OCSO

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: March 2023

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-080: $89,283 to $111,609 annually

Application Close: February 8, 2023

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10mins. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a tailored summary of skills and experience related to the position.