Regional Officer, Occupational Health And Safety

No.: SCH II-23-0291NE
POSTED: November 29, 2023
DEADLINE: 12:00 Noon, December 20, 2023

Regional Officer, Occupational Health and Safety
3 – Permanent Position
Occupational Health and Safety
Schedule II, Level 7
(Non – Union – 12 Month)
$84,425 - $101,298

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment, and promotion practices.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Occupational Health and Safety, the Regional Officer, Occupational Health and Safety will be assigned to a region of the Board and will:
• Assist the Toronto District School Board ensure a healthy and safe working and learning environment through the implementation and promotion of proactive Health and Safety programs; and
• Provide emergency response, as required.

Summary of Duties:
• Provide support and counsel to all levels of staff, including school administrators, departments, and joint Health and Safety committee(s) (JHSC’s);
• Provide technical support and advice in the areas of fire safety, emergency preparedness, contracts safety, requests for proposals and contracts, public health issues, playground safety, product selection, interpretation of Health and Safety related legislation, etc.;
• Co-ordinate and/or deliver Health and Safety related training to staff and students;
• Conduct audits of the Health and Safety program, training, policies and procedures;
• Provide an on-going visible presence, indicating the Board’s commitment to the Health and Safety program;
• Attend meetings and provide follow-up action, as required;
• Chair meetings and facilitate discussions;
• Investigate concerns (e.g. ergonomics, indoor air quality, water quality, workplace/facility condition, contractor/construction activity) through personal contact research and appropriate testing;
• Accompany regulatory officials (e.g. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Ministry of the Environment, Toronto Fire Services) during on-site visits, and process orders to ensure compliance;
• Respond to student, trustee, staff, parent, and community inquiries;
• Initiate and monitor corrective actions and provide follow-up to issues;
• Identify potential area concerns/issues and provide trend analyses that may impact on the Board program;
• Co-ordinate legislated/regulated (e.g. asbestos, lead, mercury, noise, first aid, W.H.M.I.S.), specialty (e.g. playground safety, safe driving programs), and sensitive issues (e.g. mold, electric and magnetic fields, indoor air quality), within an area;
• Ensure the Board’s compliance with applicable legislation, which includes but is not limited to record keeping, generating and responding to reports, developing and conducting training, and organizing and/or conducting hygiene testing;
• Administer medical monitoring and exposure records;
• Act as the primary information contact for municipal and provincial enforcement agencies, school administrators, parents, contractors, and others;
• Select qualified consultants and ensure the appropriate pre-qualification of contractors;
• Monitor the activity of selected consultants and contracts to ensure ongoing compliance and accountability;
• Identify additional area issues and implications that may impact on the Board-wide program;
• Act as a resource person to the Health and Safety committee(s), provide legislative interpretation and expert technical advice to members and the committee as a whole;
• Ensure that the joint Health and Safety committee(s), Board management, and supervisory staff are aware of the legislated rights and responsibilities of each of the parties;
• Arrange for the response of the appropriate appointed committee member(s) for workplace inspections, investigation of critical injuries, hygiene testing, etc.;
• Process committee recommendations that require a timely response (explanation, and the projection of approved implementation plans);
• Identify potential area environmental concerns/issues and training needs, and provide trend analyses;
• Respond to and provide recommendations and corrective measures for workplace accidents/incidents and investigations;
• Investigate and respond to Health and Safety concerns;
• Ensure legislative compliance through the implementation and maintenance of local programs;
• Organize and direct a hazardous waste management program;
• Assist school staff by providing technical support and advice related to the correct use and storage of chemicals, etc.;
• Provide environmental risk assessments for property acquisitions/disposal, etc.;
• Participate in the environmental evaluation of new products;
• Ensure that local plans and programs are implemented, exercised, and maintained;
• Act as the 24 hour on-site coordinator;
• Co-ordinate mitigation activities;
• Act as a liaison with internal staff/departments and external agencies;
• Maintain currency of existing and proposed legislation;
• Identify potential area concerns, issues, trend analysis, and training needs;
• Act as a liaison with the joint Health and Safety committee(s), staff, and others;
• Prepare policies, standard procedures and practices;
• Participate in the development and review of requests for proposal for the OH&S Department and on behalf of other departments, as required;
• Assist the Senior Manager, Occupational Health and Safety by developing and implementing standard Health and Safety office procedures and systems;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Post-secondary degree in a discipline related to Occupational Health and Safety and three years progressively responsible related experience supporting a Health and Safety program for a large, multi-site, unionized employer, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Successful experience investigating Health and Safety concerns in the workplace and making recommendations to management, in accordance with legislated and internal policies and procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of related legislation and regulations;
• Knowledge and understanding of Board and/or departmental policies and procedures, collective agreements, employment/labour legislation, Ministry directives, etc.;
• In-depth knowledge of occupational hygiene testing equipment and strategies computer proficiency, including unique Health and Safety computer software, ability to assimilate and interpret technical data from a wide range of sources;
• Experience developing Health and Safety programs, training resources and audit tools;
• Computer skills, including email, spreadsheets, databases, project management and presentation packages;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with staff, and internal/external organizations;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to train adult learners;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced working environment
• Successful experience responding to a wide range of emergency situations;
• Ability to successfully engage in conflict resolution, be proactive to resolve employee, union, public, trustee concerns to Health and Safety issues;
• Sound planning, organization and communication skills;
• Strong project management skills, time management and leadership skills;
• Ability to maintain and work with confidential information; and
• Proven ability to work under pressure in order to meet frequent deadlines.

Asset:
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation.

Special Requirements:
• Provision of own vehicle for Board Business.
• Requires regular travel across the TDSB.
• Available on call evenings and weekends to respond to emergency situations.

Work Year: 12 months
Location: 17 Fairmeadow Avenue (Hybrid Work Eligible)

Please note:
Applications must be submitted using the link below by December 20th:
https://tdsb-jobs.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-jobs/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000003703 

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing.

The Toronto District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at TDSB.

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

The TDSB follows a hybrid work structure where some employees may be able to work remotely at times, based on operational requirements. Please refer to Policy P103, Flexible Working Arrangements for more information.