Safety Specialist

**Requisition ID**:42525

**Organization**

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

**Main Purpose and Function**

The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist is a safety professional who provides advice, support and analysis to the organization and helps business units establish risk controls and management processes that promote sustainable business practice. They work to reduce and eliminate fatalities, injuries (physical and psychological), occupational illnesses, and property damage.

In partnership with assigned business units, or working within a specific area of program expertise, the position is responsible for ensuring that staff are engaged in their OHS statutory and corporate obligations so that a culture of continuous improvement grows and at minimum, compliance at all levels of the organization are maintained. They lead in implementation and coordination of safety measures and review, promote continuous improvement and improve safety culture.

Deliverables include:

- providing advice, direction or recommendations on Regulatory or City Program compliance and improvements to directors, managers and supervisors
- writing, maintaining and implementing corporate health and safety management system, policies, programs and standards to enhance continuous improvement, safety culture and compliance with legislation
- investigating multi-business unit safety concerns or incidents and providing reports and recommendations to managers
- managing and executing projects
- developing and delivering educational programs and materials as required
- conducting safety and health assessments and producing recommendations
- guiding and assisting with the operation of Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees.

**Specific Duties/Responsibilities**
- Researches, develops, implements and continuously improves health and safety programs/ systems/approaches in alignment with regulatory standards and industry best practices.
- Conducts/facilitates safety audits and inspections of facilities, equipment, and processes to ensure compliance with safety standards and identify areas for improvement.
- Develops and implements audit and inspection protocols.
- Examines plans for buildings and equipment and make health and safety related recommendations.
- Prepares reports.
- Leads, oversees and/or participates in complex or serious incident investigations and monitor to ensure investigation processes are sound and corrective actions are completed.
- Monitors environmental and occupational hygiene quality factors such as air/noise/heat/chemical and environmental exposure and interpret or author reports with recommendations for corrective actions.
- Implements and monitors compliance with new or existing corporate or departmental safety and health programs.
- In partnership with Operations, leads OH&S regulatory and corporate program compliance.
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate health and safety considerations into project planning, design, and execution.
- Provides expert guidance and support to management and staff on health and safety matters, including training, consultation, and resource allocation.
- Facilitates the administration of City programs such as confined spaces, WHMIS, first aid and incident investigations.
- Monitors and evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety initiatives through data analysis, performance metrics, and feedback mechanisms.
- Assists in the procurement of and manage, when required, occupational safety or hygiene contractors/consultants.
- Monitors and corrects performance, relating to OH&S, of management, supervisors and unionized staff liaising with the managers. This may include participation in progressive discipline.
- When deemed necessary, halts all work being performed until a safety issue is resolved.
- Manages any Refusals of Unsafe Work per the BC OH&S Regulation and corporate procedures.
- Assesses needs and provide safety related training, liaising with Operations.
- Assesses departmental safety budgets and makes recommendations on resource allocation and spend.
- Develops and recommends action plans relating to findings and corrective actions in inspections, audits, safety committee meetings, management meetings and investigations.
- Guides departments in coordinating