Health and Safety Advisor

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Provides health and safety advice to all levels of staff. Develops, promotes, implements, and monitors safe and healthy work practices and corporate programs. Interprets and communicates organizational and regulatory requirements.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Acts as a resource and advises on health and safety issues.
• Develops, implements, and maintains programs, policies, and procedures to promote/ ensure compliance with legislation, using the safety management system (SMS). Completes risk assessments; assists and supports management with developing policies, procedures, and programs; communicates changes to employees; and implements same. Monitors application of same and recommends changes.
• Investigates and assesses concerns regarding working conditions, equipment, methods, and procedures. Recommends corrective measures, design changes, and methods to control hazards, reduce injuries and costs, and ensure compliance. Where applicable, reviews engineering specifications/ standards and recommends revisions. Advises management regarding accident investigations and root cause analysis. Recommends ways to reduce risk and incident reoccurrence and assists to develop corrective actions.
• Collaborates with Manager in long-range planning, priority setting, and budgeting. Participates in operational planning for corporate health and safety. Leads subject matter expert groups (e.g., electrical safety) to develop collaborative initiatives. Reports to management on achievement indicators.
• Administers the pre-qualification process for the asbestos management program, including consultants and contractors. Supports the pre-qualification process for client areas related to contractors completing specific work for the corporation (e.g., electrical contractors).
• Participates to resolve labour relations matters related to health and safety. Represents the corporation’s interests in meetings with local and national union executives.
• Leads initiatives and provides technical advice and guidance on issues involving exposure/potential exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents. Coordinates testing/ assessment with external/ internal service providers. Advises and assists with consultant selection. Reviews hygiene reports and makes recommendations for change. Provides guidance and advice on improvements to facilities, practices, and processes. Conducts testing (e.g., sound, light levels) when needed.
• Advises/ provides information to Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) and Representatives.
• Liaises with the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and other agencies/ officials. Participates in resolving issues involving the MOL (e.g., work refusals, accident investigations, field visits, orders). Participates in legal proceedings (e.g., MOL litigation, arbitrations), as a witness or subject matter expert.
• Acts as a member of the strike contingency and business continuity planning teams. Provides related training, communications and support as required.
• Analyses, interprets, and applies ergonomic principles; provides expertise and recommendations regarding same, and long range planning, standards, and purchases.
• Provides advice to disability management and WSIB staff on employees’ successful return to work following injury or illness. Applies mental health strategies while supporting management with workplace psychological health and safety concerns.
• Provides input into/ supports the workplace violence prevention program, including education, training, and resources. Advises on risk assessments, mitigation plans, and safety plans. Decides (as part of a team) if incidents meet the test of workplace violence.
• Advises client departments regarding construction project compliance with legislation; reviews drawings and recommends changes (e.g., eye wash/deluge showers, confined spaces, electrical). Advises on risk assessments, and participates with third parties to institute mitigation measures (e.g., pre-start reviews, hazard analysis, lock out/tag out). Inspects (as part of a team) new/ renovated facilities prior to commissioning to ensure safety compliance.
• Identifies training needs and assists in long-range planning for same. Researches, develops, coordinates, and conducts customized training programs. Hires consultants for specialized training. Develops online training programs.
• Provides guidance to client departments hiring contractors/ consultants as it relates to health and safety.
• For additional duties, please see the full job description on our website.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of occupational health and safety, normally acquired through a university degree or community college diploma in occupational health and safety or a degree/diploma in a related field (e.g., science, engineering) with additional health and safety related courses/seminars; plus progressively responsible related experience.
• Certification or eligibility for certification with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). Ability to attain valid First Aid/CPR Certificate.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, labour relations principles, case law, employment standards legislation, health and safety regulations, codes, and standards (e.g., electrical and fire codes, CSA standards, practices relevant to industrial and healthcare workplaces and construction projects); WSIB; and disability management.
• Ability to monitor and interpret legislation and recommend changes to policies and procedures to ensure compliance, and stay current on technological changes.
• Ability to analyse, interpret, and apply ergonomic principles, normally acquired through training and directly related experience.
• Knowledge, skill, and experience in the recognition, assessment, control, and evaluation of hazards specific to the work environment.
• Human relations, facilitation, negotiation, continuous improvement, conflict resolution, persuasion, and presentation skills to engage, consult, advise, and guide all levels of staff; resolve safety issues in a sensitive environment, including with management and staff, and in support of resolving related labour relations issues; influence compliance with policy, regulations, and behaviour change; conduct training programs; respond to inquiries from all levels of staff and committees; provide advice and instruction; lead/ chair committees; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret health and safety legislation, codes, standards, and practices, and conduct research and understand scientific studies and other technical documents. Ability to write precise, detailed policies and procedures, advice, instructions, investigative reports, proposals, articles, and statistical analysis; put technical information into lay terms so it is understood by technical and non-technical audiences; and justify/defend recommendations.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.

Accessibility and Accommodations

The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace where all employees can succeed. If you require accommodations at any stage of your employment, whether during onboarding, training, or while performing your role, please let us know. Your hiring manager will reach out prior to your start date to discuss the role, workspace, and typical workday to ensure you have the supports you need to be successful. Accommodations are flexible and may be adjusted as your needs or role evolve. All discussions regarding accommodations are confidential, focused on supporting your success, and respect your choice about what, if any, personal information you wish to share. For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [email protected], or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).