Georges River Council

Senior Work Health and Safety Advisor

Georges River Council is a leading, people-focused organisation with approximately 600 staff members. Our people are working to make the Georges River area an accessible, green, diverse and innovative community and economy. We are dedicated to providing vibrant public places, sustaining and developing a thriving creative culture, helping protect our natural environment, and making our suburbs more liveable.

The Team

As part of our award winning People and Culture business unit, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) team are trusted advisors and strategic partners to the business. They are responsible for providing WHS support and advice, and work closely with our people leaders and staff to drive a Safety First Culture. The team is filled with talented and passionate individuals who are committed to working together and with the business to achieve it’s goals and objectives.  We take our values very seriously, and recognise our contributions benefit our people, and more broadly, the community. Our goal is to be the best at what we do and ensure Council is a great place to work.

The Role

This is a key full-time temporary role (minimum 6-month term with a possibility to extend to 12 months), instrumental in driving the success of Work Health and Safety across the organisation including the implementation of our WHS Strategy and Safety-First Culture. You will take ownership of continuous improvement strategies and play a pivotal role in improving the effectiveness of WHS across Council. You will implement contemporary safety policies, processes, programs and systems designed to improve performance.

Skills

We’re looking for someone with demonstrated experience in WHS, but you’ll also bring a customer focused approach and can-do attitude to engage and influence key stakeholders to champion a Safety-First Culture.  

• Demonstrate detailed and comprehensive understanding of current Work Health & Safety, Worker’s compensation and Rehabilitation legislation, regulation codes, standards and guidelines
• Sound working knowledge in leading investigations, audits, policy development, systems management and strategy objectives
• Proven customer focused approach and can-do attitude to engage and influence key stakeholders to champion a Safety-First Culture with management and staff
• Advanced interpersonal, facilitation, negotiation skills as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience providing a client focused service and business outcomes while managing multiple projects and issues to deadlines

Who You are

More important than experience, we’re looking for someone with the following characteristics: 

• You’re known for your effective and proactive leadership style with an ability to mentor and develop all staff in safety
• You can quickly build trust-based relationships with key stakeholders
• People come to you for advice, they trust your advice and they value your expertise
• You have the ability to engage and work with the business and assist in driving the Safety Strategy with visibility, initiative and energy
• You put safety and staff at the forefront of your decisions

The Perks and Benefits

To support you at work and play, our perks and benefits include:

• Up to $127,488.43 + 11.5% Super 
• Flexible working arrangements including 9-day fortnight, hybrid work arrangement, flexible start and finish times
• Additional Health and Wellbeing paid leave
• Fitness Passport program offering discounted membership for you and your family to selected facilities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Salary Packaging options 
• Shine Bright Rewards Program
• Ongoing Education and Resources

If you have made a positive commitment to further your career and you possess the attributes located in the Position Description essential criteria, then please submit your application today. Applicants are asked to ensure that they provide responses to the targeted questions, failure to do so may result in your application not being considered.

For any further information on this role, please contact Deborah Lee, Acting Head of Work Health and Safety on 02 9330 9565 (up to and including Wednesday 5 February 2025) or Sharni Watts, Chief People Officer on 02 9330 6027 (from Thursday 6 February 2025).

Applications must be completed and submitted via our website. Closing Date:  Friday, 14 February 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Offers of employment at Georges River Council are contingent upon satisfactory results of a thorough background check.

Georges River Council aims to be a leading, people-focused organisation delivering outstanding results for our community and city. We foster our values of Accountability, Professionalism, Unity and Honesty and take pride in promoting the image of Council in the community.

We are committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

At Georges River Council we are committed to putting children first and championing child safety within our community. We actively advocate for the rights of children and young people and will uphold our commitment as a child safe organisation.

Please note you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights (with no Visa restrictions) in Australia to apply for this position.