The City of Quinte West is situated on the shores of the beautiful Bay of Quinte. We are located directly along the Highway 401 corridor approximately 1.5 hours east of Toronto and 2.5 hours west of Ottawa. Over 46,560people make Quinte West home. Quinte West’s natural setting, with its attractive scenic backdrop of rolling hills, rich farmland and clean waterways, creates a healthy environment for working, living, and raising a family. Safe, well-planned neighbourhoods and plenty of recreational activities make Quinte West the ideal place to visit or call “home”.
Position: Health, Safety and Wellness Advisor Department: Human Resources Reports to: Director of Human Resources
Human Resources
This department is responsible for organization wide training and development, labour relations, recruitment, performance management, succession management, wellness and safety. In addition, the Human Resources Department collaborates with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and City Council/Committees on all legislation impacting the Municipality, provides leadership in negotiating agreements and ensures that employee management relationships are effectively implemented and maintained.
Purpose and Scope:
The Health, Safety and Wellness Advisor is responsible for providing technical advice and support to every department to ensure the City's compliance with applicable health, safety, and wellness legislation. The role also ensures that management and staff have the training and resources to protect and preserve a safe and healthy workplace.
This position is a contributing team member responsible for the day to day work and executing operations in line with department approved policies, plans and programs as well as efficiently meeting service standards in the delivery of municipal services.
Duties and Responsibilities: • Play a key leadership role in ensuring the City is compliant with all applicable regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) regulations, industry standards and best practices. • Recognize emerging trends and develop and recommend proactive strategies to reduce, eliminate or contain risk. • Develop, recommend, implement and maintain effective Occupational Health and Safety policies, programs and practices in partnership with management, to prevent risks related to health and safety, and ensure statutory compliance. • Identify non compliant, incomplete or substandard procedures and assists with revising existing procedures or developing new procedures. • Enhance workplace safety and harmony, contribute to a respectful work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, while ensuring adherence to all collective agreements, employment, health and safety laws and regulations and employment policies. • Scan the internal and external environment to remain current with legislation and regulations, changes to legislation, case law, trends and practices. • Ensure regular evaluations of the workplace for safety hazards and actively assist departments to reduce risk and meet legislative requirements. • Maintain health, safety and wellness related content on the City’s intranet. • Deal with non compliance issues, lockdowns, evacuations, shutdowns, and work refusals. Facilitate dispute resolution and recommend appropriate corrective action. • Develop and implement a variety of wellness programs and metrics to improve overall employee health. • Provide technical and practical information and guidance on health and safety concerns, legislative compliance and workplace violence investigations to all staff. • Review existing safety procedures and risk assessments to ensure adherence with internal standards. • Responsible for the annual health and safety budget. • Responsible for the annual health and safety action plan to identify and recommend improvement initiatives for the City. • Conduct, or arrange for, ergonomic assessments of work areas and tasks with the potential to cause repetitive strain injuries. • Assist managers with the development of suitable modified work plans for employees with temporary or permanent disabilities. • Participate on incident, accident or injury investigation teams and provide findings and recommendations of corrective action to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials. • Receives health and safety incident forms and monitors managers’ follow up actions for investigating incidents, determining root cause and actions taken for prevention. • Develop and manage the City’s health and safety program metrics to monitor safety performance, including municipal benchmarking and provide recommendations in effective ways to optimize performance ensuring all relevant safety metrics and statistical data are researched, collected, analyzed and communicated to relevant parties and maintained. • Demonstrate a commitment to learning and overall professional development. • Follow all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, other applicable legislation, best practices, City policies and procedures. • Member of the City’s Municipal Emergency Control Group. • Participate when the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is activated and interpret and monitor compliance with the health and safety management system and the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations and all other pertinent and relevant standards and legislation.
Policies and Procedures
• Develop, implement, coordinate and monitor the City’s Health and Safety Management System programs, policies, and strategies, in consultation with the management team, which align to and support the City’s strategic direction and promote a strong and sustainable corporate safety culture with a focus on prevention. • Provide leadership direction, advice, guidance, assistance and conflict resolution on all health and safety matters including the interpretation, explanation and application of Occupational Health and Safety Legislation, regulations, standards, programs, guidelines, policies and practices to ensure compliance with established procedures and guidelines. • Contribute to the research, review, interpretation, revision, introduction and implementation of new or updated health and safety related legislation and policies, guidelines and processes to ensure compliance with relevant regulations as it applies in order to minimize risk exposure for the City. • Propose new policies or policy amendments to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and oversee their implementation and maintenance.
Disability Management
• Develop and administer corporate disability management programs, including sick, short term disability (STD) and long term disability (LTD) and return to work (RTW), for all employee groups in consultation with applicable parties. • Track and monitor absences due to occupational and non occupational injury/illness that require early and safe return to work coordination. • Acts as the primary contact with external and internal workplace parties for assigned Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)/Sick Leave cases, stay at work and early and safe return to work absences and assist departments in coordination.
Relationship Management
• Act as the primary representative to local and regional agencies on Health and Safety matters, e.g. WSIB, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario (MOL) on behalf of the City. • Manage and administer corporate WSIB claims. Represent and present the City’s position in claims appeals and tribunals. • Responsible for reporting all accidents to WSIB and reporting to the MOL when an occupational illness or critical injury occurs. • Works with departments and MOL in the event of orders, critical injuries, incident investigations, work refusals, reports of worker complaints and the like. • Track and monitor all disability claims and liaise with caseworker, injured worker and supervisors to coordinate an Early and Safe Return to Work (RTW) Program. • Liaise with regulatory officials to ensure accurate and timely submission of supporting documentation, and ensure effective investigation and immediate response to workplace accidents/incidents and emergencies affecting the well-being of employees and the public.
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)
• Participate as a technical resource and oversee the Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) to ensure compliance with legislation and consistency in application. • Provide assistance to Management and Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members to identify and remedy existing or potential problems and submit proposals for improving workplace health and safety. • Track corrective actions required as a result of JHSC inspections to ensure completion and provide reports on outstanding items to the committee(s) and the Director(s) responsible for the workplace. • Prepare accident statistics data and report to management and the Joint Health and Safety Committee(s). • Create an annual report on overall health and safety results and program for review by the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the Joint Health and Safety Committee(s). • Oversee the maintenance program related to notice board updates and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Management System.
Wellness
• Provide support on knowledge and skill building in the areas of psychological health and safety and resiliency training for leaders and employees. • Responsible for working collaboratively with internal clients and stakeholders to develop, cultivate and strengthen organizational psychological health and wellness through the adoption of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. • Provide expert advice on psychological health and wellness, facilitating working groups through project initiatives, raising mental health awareness to increase staff engagement in psychological health and safety programs as a means of reducing stigma. • Ensure corporate projects use a psychological health and safety lens throughout the project life cycle and ensure psychological health and wellness concepts and principles are applied to departmental programs including providing input into the development of such policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Training and Development
• Develop and administer the corporate Health and Safety training program and assist departments with the development of training programs to address job specific health and safety hazards. • Lead and participate in the development, delivery and evaluation of corporate and health and safety specific training, plans, programs and initiatives. • Ensure health and safety training records are accurately maintained, current and readily accessible. • Work with departments to identify health and safety training gaps. • Maintain and train all managers on the contractor safety program for all construction projects. • Plan, develop, design, coordinate and deliver an organizational health and safety training plan that includes new employee safety related orientation and onboarding and site specific orientation in consultation with managers and supervisors based on hazard assessments.
Records Management
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of information to the payroll and benefits team such as short term disability, WSIB and any benefit carrier claim information and documents. • Maintain accurate, comprehensive and appropriate electronic and physical records and apply document retention and disposal schedules according to established policies and procedures. • Annually audit training records to ensure statutory and mandatory health and safety training is provided to all employees who require it. • Maintain records of inspection reports, meeting minutes, risk assessments, accidents, incidents, near misses and health and safety communications. • Maintain health and safety information on behalf of the client group, on the performance against targets and effectiveness of programs.
Note: The above duties are representative of a typical position and are not to be construed as all inclusive.
Competencies
This position will:
Demonstrate the City’s core corporate competencies:
• Ambassador • Health and Safety Behaviour • Integrity, Trust and Accountability • Quality of Work • Teamwork
Demonstrate the City’s individual contributor competencies:
• Customer Focus • Planning and Organizing • Drive for Results • Problem Solving • Communication
Demonstrate the position competencies:
• Approachability • Integrity and Trust • Time Management
Contacts:
The position will have direct contact with:
Internal: Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits, Directors, Managers, Supervisors, Members of Committees and all City staff. External: Local boards and their senior officers, federal and provincial officials, agencies, consultants, contractors, solicitors, suppliers, training and development agencies, representatives of other municipalities and the general public.
Education/Specialized Training/Skills:
The position will require:
• A minimum of a three (3) year post secondary diploma or degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Health Sciences, Human Resources, Industrial Relations or a related field, or an approved equivalent combination of education and experience. • Knowledge and application of relevant legislation and regulations, including Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), Employment Standards Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). • Thorough knowledge and experience of hazard identification, auditing, risk assessments, and ergonomics assessments with a proven ability to recognize and evaluate occupational health and safety hazards and recommend effective control measures. • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as cooperatively and collaboratively as part of a team. • Strong leadership and facilitation skills with sound knowledge of various facilitation techniques. • Excellent time, project and change management skills and ability to handle concurrent projects. • Strong organizational skills are required as well as the ability to anticipate, recognize and respond to problem situations. • Excellent interpersonal skills to deal with sensitive and confidential information involving management and employees. • Desire to champion departmental and corporate programs and initiatives, and the vision, core purposes and strategic direction of the City. • Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments. • High degree of emotional intelligence (the capacity to be aware of, control and express one's emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically). • A highly developed sense of professionalism, tact and diplomacy. • Demonstrated respect for confidential and sensitive issues. • Demonstrated customer service and public relations skills. • Demonstrated ethical behaviour and business practices. • The ability to work with a diverse group of individuals in a team environment. • A commitment to providing high quality, cost effective services to the City and the community. • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work in a demanding environment. • Strong computer skills including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Dayforce (or other similar software programs) email and internet. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Strong and effective research, analytical, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. • Ability to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check, deemed satisfactory to the employer.
Nice to have:
Although not required, the following would be considered an asset to the position.
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC) or Canadian Certified Occupational Health Nurse (CCOHN) designation or equivalent. • Health and Safety Representative Certification through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MOL). • Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) and/or Certified Human Resource Leader (CHRL) designation. • Knowledge and experience in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) through the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) with an Internal Auditor certification being an additional asset. • Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP). • Current Standard First Aid certification. • Formal training in ergonomics and assessments. • Ability to assess, design and conduct customized training programs in both unionized and non unionized environments. • A valid Class G Driver’s Licence and a safe driving record in good standing, satisfactory to the employer. • The ability to communicate in both English and French.
Work Experience:
This position will require:
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in occupational health and safety, disability management, human resources, or a related field. • Experience promoting safe work practices and policies, disability management, accommodation, health and safety training and maintaining health and safety training records. • Progressive experience in disability leave administration or a combination of training, education and experience deemed equivalent. • Experience providing advice to all levels of staff on corporate health and safety matters and legal compliance.
Nice to have:
Although not required, the following would be considered an asset to the position.
• Related, progressive health and safety management experience in complex public or private sector unionized work environments. • Previous experience in a municipal environment. • Experience with or knowledge of current trends and emerging issues related to workplace psychological health and wellness. • Previous experience consulting and advising Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC). • Experience with strong investigation skills, including workplace violence and harassment. • Experience dealing with MOL inspections. • Experience developing and delivering various related health and safety training courses. • Experience implementing evidence based programs designed to provide metrics and measures to evaluate successes and highlight areas requiring mitigation strategies. • Experience in a health-related discipline. • Experience with Dayforce Ceridian as a HRIS.
Decision Making:
The position is responsible for providing timely, accurate advice and decisions relative to effective health and safety policies and programs for the City and for providing recommendations and reports to the Director of Human Resources, department staff and other City departments where appropriate. Errors or lack of action could have a lasting negative impact on the municipality.
Supervision:
This position provides leadership, training, and guidance to department staff with no formal supervisory responsibilities over these staff with respect to human resources, disciplinary, or budgetary matters.
Work Environment:
• Work in an office environment on a regular basis with occasional exposure to outside elements. • Will be required to work evenings and weekends and respond outside of normal working hours as required. • Occasional requirement to work flexible hours to facilitate health and safety training schedules and urgent health and safety emergencies. • May be required to respond to emergency situations beyond the regular hours of work and on weekends. • Occasional travel outside the municipal boundaries may be required.
Note: This posting is for an existing full-time vacancy.
What we offer you: • OMERS pension plan • Competitive employer-paid extended health benefits • Minimum of 3 weeks vacation • Opportunity to participate in our Flexible Work Program, subject to applicable policies and approvals, which includes: • Hybrid work model for eligible positions • Flexible start time for eligible positions • Compressed biweekly work schedule for eligible positions Personal information and any supporting material are collected and administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The City of Quinte West is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 613-392-2841 ext. 1106 or hr@quintewest.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Applicants will be required to consent to the completion of a criminal reference check and the completion of a driver’s abstract, if deemed a requirement of the position.
The City of Quinte West does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select candidates in its recruitment processes. All applications are reviewed and assessed by Human Resources staff and the hiring manager.
