Position Description
Health & Safety Advisor
It’s an exciting time to join
We’re transforming the way we do business with significant investment in customer, digital and business innovation, re-
designing our infrastructure to service communities for generations to come and pursuing a circular economy so we can
not only reduce our environmental footprint but also reduce energy costs to keep customer bills affordable. We’re also
engaging communities to achieve better outcomes and supporting our incredibly talented and valued leaders and people.
Organisational Context
east Victoria across an area of 20,000 square kilometres. The service delivery area is bound by Corryong, Yarrawonga,
Benalla and Dartmouth. We operate 21 water treatment facilities and 22 wastewater treatment plants that service most
towns across the region. Over 200 full time equivalent staff are employed at our centres in Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla,
Yarrawonga, Corryong, Beechworth, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.
Our operations are overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on behalf of the
Minister for Water, and the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) on behalf of the Treasurer. We continue to invest in
innovative and long-term capital projects which contribute to the health and well-being of current and future generations.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
from bullying and harassment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. We prioritise the health, safety
(physical and psychological) and wellbeing of all staff and customers.
Our Mindsets
At
where our people are aligned with our business direction, proud of their contribution to business performance, and own a
culture that is centred on the following mindsets:
- Committed to advancing and supporting people to succeed.
- Consistent in interactions with people and in applying processes.
- Provide empathy for people and be willing to place oneself in another person’s position.
- Accountable for one’s own actions and responsibilities and playing your part for the success of the
organisation.
- Cooperative with others to work towards the Corporation’s common goals
Position Objectives
The Health & Safety Advisor:
- Supports and influences the development and implementation of the businesses Health and Safety Management
System.
- Influences excellence within the organisation for the continuous improvement of the Corporation’s health, safety
and wellbeing functions.
- Provides positive and constructive input to the People & Culture team.
Key Responsibility Areas
- Undertaking regular site visits to collaborate with teams to complete OHS audits and inspection programs to
achieve compliance with the Corporation’s policies, procedures and the relevant legislation.
- Providing specialist advice to empower staff and senior leaders on all OHS related issues.
- Undertaking hazard and risk assessments; identifying suitable controls and development of corrective action plans
in consultation with the relevant business units/contractors.
- Ensuring all data is correctly entered into the Work Health and Safety Information System.
- Overseeing the approvals of OHS management plans and relevant licences for contractor applications.
- Participating in project scoping, risk assessment, HAZOP and project briefings, as required.
- Providing administrative support for the OHS Management System.
- Overseeing the procurement and supply of PPE.
- Carrying out any other duties as requested that commensurate with the nature of the position.
Organisational Relationships
This role reports to the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator and liaises with all internal stakeholders, peers in water
corporations or local government, government agencies and members of the public.
Accountability and Extent of Authority
- The position will be governed by broad guidelines and periodic supervision.
- The position is authorised to provide advice to staff or to regulate staff within the parameters of the incumbent’s
range of qualifications and experience.
- Accountable for advice provided and relied upon to staff and external parties.
- Regular consultation with senior staff and reporting will be required.
- Authority to stop operations and activities that includes contractors when unsafe work practices are identified.
- Accountable for integrity of records maintenance and databases.
- Accountable for the privacy of any individual regarding WorkCover matters.
- Authority to prepare external correspondence on behalf of the Corporation within the parameters of the
incumbent’s range of qualifications and experience.
Judgement and Decision Making
- The objectives of the work are usually well defined within set guidelines but will require the use of the incumbent’s
technical knowledge and experience.
- Problems encountered may be of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously
encountered situations and some creativity and originality is required.
- Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a decision.
- All decisions and advice are subject to review by the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator, Manager People &
Culture, Manager Strategy, Governance & Communication and other senior staff.
Specialist skills and knowledge
- Demonstrated skills in, knowledge and experience of Occupational Health and Safety management systems and
practices.
- Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety legislation including Acts, Regulations, associated Codes and
relevant Australian/International Standards.
- Strong skills in spreadsheets, databases and word processing computer applications.
Management Skills
- Demonstrated self-management skills including effective time management, organisational skills within a complex
work environment and personal initiative.
- Ability to discuss and resolve problems in a logical and rational manner.
- Ability to establish mutually agreed outcomes with other parties and to clearly articulate agreed outcomes in
contract documentation.
- Ability to implement employment policies and practices including EEO and OHS policies and procedures.
Interpersonal Skills
- This position requires the ability to gain cooperation and assistance from employees and contractors in relation to
OHS regulatory compliance.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate with staff at all levels within
- Ability to lead by example and demonstrate a significant degree of individual initiative in the performance of own
duties.
- Skills to provide guidance and training to staff where required.
- Ability to liaise with counterparts in other organisations to discuss specialist matters, and within the corporation to
resolve internal issues or problems.
Qualifications and Experience
- Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) in Occupational/Work Health and Safety or demonstrated
experience in a similar role with a commitment to complete relevant tertiary qualifications.
- An understanding of the water industry is desirable.
Requirements of Employment
Employees of
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others.
- Adhere to
training.
- Report all incidents regardless of the severity and participate in incident debriefs.
- Take all reasonable actions to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others in the workplace.
- Proactively focus on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Protecting the Environment
helping our communities build resilience and adapt to climate change. This will be demonstrated through continued
emissions reduction, climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.
Data Privacy
As a Victorian government organisation,
2014 (“PDP Act”). There are 10 Information Privacy Principles (“IPPs”) in the PDP Act that govern the way that North East
Water collects and handles the personal information of current and future employees and customers.
Privacy Statement can be found on our website.