Work Health & Safety National Operations Assistant Director (Affirmative Measure)
EL 1 - $124,861 - $134,295 excluding 15.4% Super
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) National Operations team plays a critical role in supporting safe workplaces and enhancing employee health and wellbeing. From airports and seaports to remote field operations, we offer general WHS advice and guidance on complying with WHS legislation, managing WHS risks, and building a proactive safety culture. The team’s operating environment is driven by the needs of our business and its people, as well as whole-of-APS and department-specific HR policies and programs.
The People, Strategy and Safety Branch is the centre of capability identification, acquisition, mobilisation, and development in the department, supporting a highly capable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We provide support and guidance to business areas through sections such as: Health, Safety and Welfare Strategy and Systems; Health, Safety and Welfare Operations; Establishments and HR Reporting; Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion; Talent, Leadership and Capability; Workforce Strategy, Planning and Design.
What you’ll be doing
As WHS Assistant Director, you will provide high-level WHS advice, lead critical risk management activities, and support leaders in meeting their WHS legislative obligations. You will lead a small team of WHS Advisors responsible for providing specialised WHS advice across the department. You will support the implementation of the department’s WHS strategy.
This leadership role requires strong WHS technical knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to drive change. You will operate with a significant degree of independence under the broad direction of the Director WHS National Operations.
The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Providing expert WHS advice to executives, senior management, and staff to build WHS capability and knowledge.
2. Supporting stakeholders in hazard, incident, and near-miss reporting to proactively identify risks and improve controls.
3. Leading incident investigations with internal and external stakeholders to analyze incidents and develop risk mitigation strategies.
4. Developing and implementing strategies to foster a high-performing safety culture.
5. Assisting in the continual improvement of WHS programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance.
6. Preparing complex reports, submissions, and documents for stakeholders.
What we are looking for
We seek high-performing WHS professionals with relevant experience. Your proactive attitude, communication, planning, and organizational skills will enable you to manage and deliver results effectively.
Ideal candidates will have:
* Experience applying WHS legislation, including the Work Health Safety Act 2011 (Cth), Regulations, Codes of Practice, and Australian Standards in complex environments.
* Knowledge and skills in risk management and WHS management systems development.
* Leadership experience managing complex WHS issues.
* Experience working in a fast-paced government setting.
* Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
* Ability to influence, negotiate, and provide trusted advice on WHS matters.
* Resilience and initiative to handle competing priorities in high-pressure environments.
* Independence in leadership and professional judgment.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills.
* Australian Citizenship is required.
* Ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) security clearance or hold an appropriate current clearance.
* Willingness to undergo pre-employment checks, including criminal history and medical assessments.
Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
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