Senior Occupational Hygienist

Senior Occupational Hygienist

• $134,311.00 per annum + superannuation
• Full Time, ongoing position
• Melbourne CBD or Geelong, or other location by negotiation, with regular work and travel requirements throughout Victoria

Purpose  

The Senior Occupational Hygienist sits within the Health & Safety Business Unit.

The role as a Senior Occupational Hygienist and appointed Inspector will, under the direction of the Principal Hygienist, work predominantly on WorkSafe's strategic approach in preventing and responding to occupational hygiene related  exposures in Victorian workplaces, while also working with the generalist inspectorate across the state.

The role will utilise expertise to provide specialist service, advice, air monitoring if required and the implementation and administration of specialist processes aligned with the framework of the OHS legislation.  Whilst providing authoritative analysis, specialist knowledge and expertise to inform the decision-making of others, including the recommendation of business solutions, and contributes to the development of initiatives to reduce risk to health & safety associated with occupational hygiene hazards in the workplace.

The Senior Occupational Hygienist also provides technical evaluation of relevant statutory applications.

Key accountabilities 

• Provide expert advice, conduct analysis and apply contemporary technical information to influence a reduction in the incidence and severity of work-related injury and disease.
• Effectively partner with nominated Regions to facilitate the provision of occupational hygiene support to complex workplace interventions, building capability across regional teams and the development of tactical activities for local delivery.
• Participate in regional planning activities, perform analysis to determine the local risk profile and seek to understand local training and coaching needs.
• Evaluate statutory applications in accordance with policy and procedures
• Provide subject matter expertise, as a member of a multi-disciplinary project team, to the Health & Safety Improvement Programs as required; this can be achieved through collaborative teamwork or as part of a formal secondment.
• Contribute expertise to the development of legislation, standards, guidance materials, operational policies and procedures in relation to occupational hygiene.
• Identify emerging issues that can inform the risk prioritisation process for future programs; and training and development of field staff.
• Provide subject matter expertise to collaborative research initiatives.
• Participate in investigations and prosecution, act as an expert witness as required.
• Provide assistance to the Prevention Strategy and Planning team in the development of policies and procedures and the development and delivery of training in relation to occupational hygiene.
• Represent WorkSafe on specialist national, state and industry committees and forums as required, including the participation in Communities of Practice or Field Reference Groups.
• Maintain the currency of corporate knowledge in occupational hygiene through participation in professional bodies, industry forums and stakeholder engagement for dissemination of information across WorkSafe as appropriate.

Please ensure you click here to view the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

Skills and experience

• A strong knowledge of occupational hygiene and experience in the application of, systems, processes and procedures to reduce the incidence and severity of injury and disease
• Good analytical and problem solving skills, including demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical information and data.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in personal air monitoring
• An informed understanding of silica related health issues
• Ability to undertake effective research and analysis and produce accurate reports and material
• Demonstrated ability and experience in the development of initiatives that aim to influence the behaviour or actions of others.
• Understanding and prior application of project management methodologies, including the preparation of project plans and undertaking project evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to liaise in a professional manner with a range of internal and external clients/stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to train, develop and motivate employees in a team environment.
• Strong experience in conducting presentations, facilitating discussion groups and/or training sessions
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills, including the provision of authoritative advice

Qualifications

• Post graduate qualifications in occupational hygiene and
• A degree in a relevant discipline of science (preferably majoring in chemistry/physical science).
• Eligible for full membership of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygiene (AIOH)

Working with Us

At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is the key to delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community and strongly encourage applications from all people, including First Nations people and people with disability, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, sexualities and genders. 

What’s next?

Applications close 11:00pm on Thursday 4th July, 2024. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position. You may be required to undergo a National Police Check (and/or Medical Assessment) as part of the recruitment process.

Candidate screening may take place prior to the advertisement closing, so get your application in.

For further enquiries please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist, Rebecca McPherson via email rebecca_mcpherson@worksafe.vic.gov.au

Our future

WorkSafe's Strategy has our core purpose front of mind – reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers. We don’t shy away from the importance of our purpose to the Victorian community, that’s why we have a stated ambition to be world leading.

We want Victoria to be the safest place to work in Australia and one of the safest in the world; and we aspire to be a world leader in return to work after a workplace injury.

WorkSafe are striving to build a diverse workforce that reflects the Victorian community we serve.