Work Health and Safety National Operations Assistant Director
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. It supports achieving its complex agenda through a highly capable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We provide support and guidance to various 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 and support across the department. You will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the department’s WHS strategy.
This is a leadership opportunity for someone with strong WHS technical knowledge, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to drive change.
You will exercise a significant degree of independence and undertake a leadership role, with work performed under the broad direction of the Director WHS National Operations.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Providing expert WHS advice to executives, senior management, and staff to build WHS capability and knowledge across diverse work environments.
* Supporting stakeholders in hazard, incident, and near-miss reporting to proactively identify risks and improve control measures.
* Leading incident investigations with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective analysis and risk mitigation.
* Developing and implementing strategies to foster a high-performing health and safety culture.
* Assisting in the ongoing improvement of WHS programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance.
* Preparing complex reports, submissions, and correspondence for various stakeholders.
What we are looking for
We seek high-performing WHS professionals with relevant experience. Your proactive attitude, communication, planning, organizational skills, and workload prioritization will enable you to deliver results effectively.
Ideal candidates will have:
* Experience applying WHS legislation, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth), Regulations, Codes of Practice, and Australian Standards in complex operational environments.
* Knowledge and skills in risk management and WHS management systems development and implementation.
* Experience leading teams managing complex WHS issues.
* Experience working in fast-paced government roles.
* Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills for resolving complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.
* Ability to influence, negotiate, and provide trusted WHS advice.
* Resilience, initiative, and the capacity to manage competing priorities under pressure.
* Independence in leadership and sound professional judgment in difficult circumstances.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills across diverse internal and external groups.
* Australian Citizenship is required.
* Ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) security clearance or hold an appropriate current clearance.
* Successful candidates will undergo pre-employment screening, including criminal history and medical checks.
Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
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