Associate Director, Employee Health and Safety

Associate Director, Employee Health and Safety

Surrey Schools

Surrey

British Columbia

Posted Date

September 3, 2026

Closing Date

September 17, 2026

Associate Director, Employee Health & Safety

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Associate Director, Employee Health & Safety provides strategic leadership for the District’s employee health, safety, and disability management programs. The position is responsible for developing and advancing long-term strategies that promote employee health and safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and support effective disability management. The Associate Director fosters a culture of health, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by providing expert advice to senior leaders, leading policy and program development, and engaging with regulatory agencies, provincial and local committees, and key partner groups.

As a member of the Human Resources leadership team, the Associate Director oversees the Prevention and Health Services portfolios and contributes to the strategic direction of the HR department, fostering an integrated, systemic approach to service delivery, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and identify emerging trends, risks, gaps, and opportunities, and develop plans and initiatives to address organizational needs.
• Provide advice and consultation to senior leaders on employee health and safety, disability management, and regulatory matters.
• Build engagement, participation, and support for strategic initiatives through collaboration with senior leaders, administrators, unions, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Lead the development, implementation, and review of policies, procedures, and programs related to employee health and safety and disability management.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with unions, regulatory agencies, government partners, healthcare providers, and other partner groups.
• Represent the District at local and provincial committees, forums, and partner groups.
• Provide leadership and direction to Prevention and Health Services teams, including goal-setting, coaching, development, and performance management.
• Provide oversight of the District's occupational health and safety and disability management programs, initiatives, and practices. Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, collective agreements, and industry standards.
• Oversee the development and implementation of prevention strategies designed to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses and promote safe work practices.
• Ensure effective processes are in place for investigations, inspections, audits, hazard identification, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Oversee disability management, return-to-work, stay-at-work, and workplace accommodation programs and practices.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, union representatives, administrators, healthcare providers, and external agencies to support effective employee health services outcomes.
• Provide leadership and guidance on complex matters.
• Establish and monitor performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness and support continuous improvement. Generate reports and insight to support data-driven decision-making.
• Oversee departmental resource planning and budgeting to support strategic and operational objectives.

Contribute to vision, goals, and priorities of the HR department. Collaborate with HR leaders on connected matters.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Disability Management, Human Resources, or related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in occupational health and safety, disability management, health services, or related field, including experience in a unionized environment. Public sector experience is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Professional health and safety designation (e.g., CRSP, CSP) is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Significant leadership experience with the ability to motivate and develop a team through mentorship and coaching.
• Extensive knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation, WorkSafeBC requirements, regulatory compliance frameworks, and disability management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implementmanagement systems, policies, and standards.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate, build trust, and