About This Opportunity
In this role, you will drive the implementation of the Health, Safety and Wellness Strategy 2022-2026 throughout the Institute and promote the highest practicable standard of occupational health, safety and wellness, while supporting and encouraging a positive OHS culture, and facilitating compliance with legislation and national standards.
You will also provide advice and support in health, safety and wellness and facility matters to the Institute Management team, and will liaise closely with the central UQ Health, Safety and Wellness (HSW) Division to maintain consistency of implementation of the UQ HSW Strategy, and to identify and respond to University-wide HSW priorities.
You will provide strategic direction and support to Institute leaders, and co-ordinate and implement the University OHS Management system consistently within your area of responsibility. There is considerable capacity to identify and lead innovative projects designed to continually improve workplace health, safety and wellness and facilities across the Institute and the University.
There are ten main responsibilities and functions of health, safety and wellness positions at UQ:
1. Supporting UQ health, safety and wellness governance and consultative mechanisms
2. Developing, managing and maintaining UQ's OHS management system
3. Facilitating risk management processes at UQ
4. Developing and delivering health, safety and wellness programs
5. Providing advice, information and services
6. Monitoring health, safety and wellness performance
7. Developing health, safety and wellness capability
8. Incident investigation
9. Engagement with regulators and stakeholders
10. Workers’ compensation self-insurance, return to work
These are reflected in the duties outlined below.
In addition, you will be responsible in achieving statutory compliance with UQ, DAF and legislative requirements including Workplace Health and Safety, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for all QAAFI personnel (staff, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors) and QAAFI managed facilities.
This role will primarily be based at St Lucia campus but will include travel to other Brisbane and regional UQ and DAF sites such as Dutton Park, Coopers Plains, Gatton and Warwick.
Key responsibilities will include:
Organisational
- Actively engage with UQ HSW Division on matters relevant to UQ’s health and safety performance and the Institute’s management of safety, and actively provide support to the Division with the development and trialling of systems, policies and procedures.
- Participate in the development or review of corporate UQ HSW policies, procedures, guidelines, and corporate HSW programs, and ensure corporate policies and procedures are implemented, communicated and monitored locally.
- Participate in and actively contribute to networks that assist with the provision of health, safety and wellness advice, services and programs across the organisation.
Strategy and Culture
- Coach and mentor local staff and managers on how to effectively demonstrate safety leadership, and to encourage and reinforce the development of a positive safety culture across the Institute.
- Work with the UQ HSW Division and local management to implement the UQ HSW Strategy both at a corporate and at the Institute level.
Health, Safety and Wellness Program
- Advise Institute management about responsibilities under the work health and safety, and other related legislation, ensure management maintains a comprehensive understanding of its safety risk position, as well as the overall state of occupational health and safety across the Institute.
- Ensure a uniform and considered approach to HSW issues across the Institute, such as inductions, workplace assessments/inspections/audits, maintaining/supporting the network of First Aid Officers, Fire and Emergency Wardens and other local safety contacts (as dictated by the risks present in the Institute), and local emergency plan.
- Support/advise/coach the local OHS committee, its Chair, any Health and Safety representatives, plus facilitate the effective functioning of OHS committee.
- Identify, develop, implement and monitor/evaluate local programs and projects to improve HSW performance across Institute, including the development and delivery of the Institute annual health and safety management plan based on the UQ HSW Goals and focused on control of local risks.
- Provide advice on risk assessments prepared by Institute personnel to ensure they are of appropriate quality and detail, and reviewed according to UQ guidelines.
- Develop and provide effective OHS, regulatory compliance and risk specific training and other capability development initiatives at a local level (e.g. responsibilities and duties; safety training on specific risks, hazardous areas, local induction).
- Audit the Institute OHS systems and processes to ensure compliance with corporate systems, policies and procedures etc.
- Represent the Institute on UQ related committees, project groups etc.
- Monitor the health and safety performance of the Institute and provide appropriate performance information to management.
- Develop appropriate mechanisms to ensure that incident, injury and hazard reports are completed, and conduct or advise on follow-up investigations.
- Ensure incidents are investigated, seek advice from internal and external parties, identify causative factors, develop and monitor remedial action plans, with a view to preventing recurrence.
- Effectively engage with regulators during inspections, audits, and investigations.
- Advise on and oversee other regulatory compliance elements as relevant e.g. OGTR, Biosecurity, Food Safety, Radiation Health.
- Actively assist in the implementation of return to work plans including the modification of work systems, purchasing and installation of equipment.
Leadership
- Provide direction and training on safety matters to a small team of technical professionals responsible for both safety and facilities responsibilities across QAAFI sites, who are reporting to the Facilities and Infrastructure Manager.
About UQ
As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.
Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.
Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
- 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
- 17% superannuation contributions
- 17.5% annual leave loading
- Access to flexible working arrangements
- Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
- UQ Study for Staff
- On campus childcare options
- Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)
- Salary packaging options
About You
- Post-graduate qualifications or progress towards postgraduate qualifications in occupational health and safety, science, biochemistry, health, psychology, engineering or similar, and extensive relevant experience; or extensive experience and management expertise managing OHS in a similar, multiple site setting; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education / training.
- Thorough understanding of the principles and legislation related to work health and safety, and a demonstrated capacity to design and implement policy or procedures with regard to legislation, Standards and Codes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to create a positive safety culture across QAAFI, and ensure staff cooperation and compliance with health, safety and facility requirements
- Ability to influence teams in a constructive, outcomes-focused manner, and to work collaboratively with management, peers, team members and client groups.
- Demonstrated achievement of personal involvement in driving significant positive health, safety and wellness–related outcomes across an organisation.
- Experience with the engagement of a range of regulators (e.g. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Electrical Safety Office, Queensland Radiation Safety, Office of Gene Technology Regulator, Queensland Public Health, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (Biosecurity)).
- Current drivers licence
Additionally desirable
- Significant experience in work health and safety, and wellness management practices and programs in a university or large government setting.
- Substantial experience of workplace health and safety-related practices relevant to the risk types found at the Institute.
- Demonstrated experience in leading change, particularly in the area of enhancing organisational safety climate and culture.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the operational application of the compliance requirements of a range of other related legislation e.g. Gene Technology Act, Biosecurity Act, the Drugs and Poisons Regulation, and relevant Codes of Practice and Australian/NZ Standards.
- Experience in the use of a wide range of computer applications in a networked environment.
- Experience with agricultural activities, including hazardous machinery and vehicles, field work and remote settings.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and developing a professional team, including providing direction, evaluating performance and allocation of tasks
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check, AHPRA registration, mandatory immunisations, first aid and/or CPR certification, blue card check, etc.
Work Rights:
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Rona Barugahare - [email protected]
For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
- Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section
- Resume
Other Information
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.
Applications close 6 November 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (R-44536). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for November.