WHS Specialist

WHS Specialist

About Youth Off The Streets

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

About the role:

The WHS Specialist will be responsible for management, planning, training and implementation of Work Health Safety (WHS) throughout YOTS. The role acts as an advisor to all levels within the team, promoting WHS, increasing awareness and knowledge and ensuring compliance with legislation and obligations to create a safe and healthy workplace. 

The position will be a fundamental in the implementation of work health and safety systems, programs and projects within all business units to support and deliver genuine, practical and measurable safety improvements. 

The role will work alongside Property & Fleet, Risk & Compliance and People & Culture to drive organisation-wide initiatives that contribute to a culture where safety and wellness are embraced and embedded in every aspect of work underpinning the delivery of quality care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the framework for the WHS strategy, programs, and risk management policies, including information management and reporting, identification, assessment, and control of risks and hazardous events. 
• Provide expert advice and support to business unit heads and staff, enabling them to minimise health and safety risks, accidents, and associated costs; incorporating coordination and management activities, ensuring legislative compliance for WHS, Workers Compensation Management, Return to Work functions, and related insurers. 
• Coordinate WHS risk management strategies (according to WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2017) to ensure currency and compliance by developing, promoting, and evaluating WHS & risk management policies, programs and procedures and carry out annual reviews. 
• Develop, implement, and monitor WHS programs (e.g., Permit to Work), including consultative arrangements to maintain a high standard of health and safety for staff and visitors, as well as design and delivery of training and education programs. 
• Collect, review, and monitor information and trends on accidents and hazards, conduct inspections and consult with business unit heads, staff to identify WHS issues and establish priorities for action. 
• Conduct trailer training, including trailer handling, safety and legal requirements, coupling and uncoupling, pre and post operation checks and safe on-road driving and manoeuvring.
• Actively manage rehabilitation (injury management) activities to reduce workers compensation exposure and supports Managers to coordinate and ensure injured workers return to work as soon as is practical. 
• Ensure that the employees working in a psychologically safe environment by promoting open communication, identifying psychological hazards, integrating mental health into policies, providing training and education and monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the measures in place making necessary adjustments.
• Conduct inspections and provide advice to staff and contractors in the design of building/work sites, and other projects, including selection of equipment, tools, and materials that are hazard free to ensure compliance with legislation. 
• Develop and manage program of regular audits and inspections (including those necessary for safe working from home) to maintain satisfactory standards and staff awareness of WHS, including the instigation of health screening to meet periodical or pre-employment requirements, and assessment of the health impacts of specific workplace hazards. 
• Ensure establishment of a WHS Committee and coordinate monthly meetings in line with YOTS Duty of Care under Section 19 of the WHS Act. 
• Advise on workplace training requirements and assisting business units to coordinate training to equip employees with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to perform their jobs effectively and safely. 
• Advise and train YOTS staff on legal obligations 
• Provide WHS reports and statistical data to the YOTS Leadership Team and Board.

Requirements:

The person we seek will ideally have the following:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience with developing and implementing WHS Management Systems.
• Experience with facilitating WHS audits.
• Demonstrated experience in providing WHS advice and support based on legislation and best practice. 

Desirable:

• Experience in developing and delivering in-house presentations and training programs.

Certifications & Licences

Essential:

Tertiary qualifications in WHS/OHS or a related discipline. 

Desirable: 

• Working knowledge of the Commonwealth WHS Act and regulations. Auditor / Lead Auditor qualifications and relevant experience. 
• ICAM or equivalent Incident Management Training Qualification
• Member or ability to be a member of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS).

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply 

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the following questions (2 pages maximum):

1. Can you describe a time when you identified a major safety hazard in a workplace and implemented a solution to mitigate it? What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
2. Can you share an example of a successful training program you developed and conducted for employees regarding workplace safety? What methods did you use, and how did you measure its effectiveness?
3. Describe a situation where you conducted a workplace safety audit. What were the key findings, and how did you assist the organisation in addressing those issues? What improvements did you observe following your recommendations?

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.