Schedule 2 - Position Description
Position Title: Senior Safety Business Partner
Position Number:
Directorate: Organisational Services
Team: People, Safety and Wellness
Position Status: Fixed Term – 2 Years
Classification Level: Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award Level 7-8
Reports to: Director of Organisational Services
Location: Longreach
Revised: October 2025
Our Vision
Connecting Council and Community
Our Mission
Delivering Excellent Services
Our Values
1. A Safe and Healthy Work Environment
1. Inclusiveness and Respect
2. Consistency and Fairness
3. Teamwork and Staff Development
4. Performance and Value for Money
5. Leadership and Collaboration
6. Sustainability
7. Forward-looking
Position Objective
The Senior Safety Business Partner will lead and develop a team of health and safety professionals responsible for the
development of appropriate systems, tools, resources, and training to ensure that Council meets all organisational and
legislative objectives, through proactive partnership with the workforce.
Position Responsibilities
Functional Area Key Accountabilities
Leadership and
Management
* Lead and mentor a small team of Safety professionals including engaging with Health and
Safety Representatives.
* Define annual operational objectives and assign task based on team members strengths
and skills to optimise performance, tracking progress to provide recognition, support, and
constructive feedback.
* Demonstrate safety in the workplace, where leaders and staff will have the confidence to
take accountability for safety leadership and provide a safe work environment.
* Empower team members through targeted coaching, training, and development
opportunities to build capability and confidence in managing safety responsibilities.
* Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, to stay
informed of emerging trends and maintain compliance with evolving legislation.
* Effectively manage resources, operational budgets, and priorities to support the delivery
of high-quality safety initiatives.
* Respond decisively to safety incidents, ensuring thorough investigations, root cause
analysis, and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence, with a focus on
event learning.
Technical
• Continue with the implementation, and ongoing review of Council's Safety Management
System, ensuring the system aligns with relevant standards and legislation and is fit for
Council's organisational context and structure.
* Development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, and processes,
ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, codes, and standards.
* Development and implementation of the SMS action plan including regular safety
performance monitoring and reporting.
* Recommend and implement WHS operational training initiatives to achieve the desired
outcomes in accordance with business cases, project management plans and
organisational needs.
* Actively participate in Health & Safety Committee meetings and assist with the
implementation of initiatives accepted by Council.
* Prepare and undertake health and safety auditing and compliance related activities in
consultation with stakeholders to mitigate risk and ensure legislative compliance.
* Liaise with key stakeholders including State Government Regulators and industry groups
to ensure best practice safety, awareness and legislative compliance is achieved.
Other
• Other suitable duties, consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position as
directed by the accountable supervisor or nominated delegate.
Key Relationships
Reports to Director of Organisational Services The Senior Safety Business Partner
will have an effective relationship
with the Director of Organisational
Services and is responsive to their
requests.
Works with (Internally) People, Safety and Wellness Team
Works Departments (Civil Constructions)
Executive Leadership Team
The Senior Safety Business Partner
will have a positive relationship with
the wider workforce, which involves
active communication, sharing ideas
and working together to create a
conducive environment.
Works with (externally) Members of the community, external
agencies and other stakeholders
The Senior Safety Business Partner
will have an approachable, attentive,
and respectful relationship with
members of the community, external
agencies, and other stakeholders
built on open communication and
trust.
Position Requirements
Skills & Attributes
• Strong project & change management skills.
* Highly developed consultative and facilitation skills.
* Highly developed leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
* Highly developed ability to interpret and apply legislation, standards, and codes.
* Highly developed skills in investigations, analysis, and report writing with the ability to clearly articulate issues and
propose solutions.
* Highly developed ability to build relationships and collaborate with various stakeholders, fostering a positive
safety culture.
* Strong ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and organisational settings, staying calm and focused in
challenging situations.
Knowledge
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Work Health & Safety Act 2011 and the Workers'
Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, relevant Australian Standards, and Safety Codes of Practice.
* Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary Health & Safety Issues and emerging trends.
* Knowledge of digital incident reporting systems that streamline the documentation and analysis of workplace
incidents.
Qualifications and Experience
• Current Unrestricted 'C' Class Drivers Licence
* Experience in designing and delivering safety training programs to promote a culture of safety within the
organisation.
* Proficiency in using office productivity software such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
and other relevant tools for data entry, report generation, and communication.
* Working with Children Blue Card
* Construction White Card
Delegations and Authorisations
Financial Delegation
A financial delegation of $75,000.00 is assigned to this position. Please refer to Council's Procurement Management
Directive for details of Councils guidelines as per Local Government Act and Regulation. Legislative Sub-Delegations
and Authorisations may also be applicable to this position and are detailed in the external public registers. Both
registers are available on Council's Electronic Document Management System.
Extent of Authority:
This position has significant delegated authority and works under limited direction with the freedom to use sound
judgement to make decisions and take actions that effect programs and/or project relevant to the areas their
managing. The position must understand that their powers are limited to their delegated authority and know and
comply with any authority/obligation that comes with their powers.
Inherent Requirements
These are the essential requirements of this position:
* This role may be subject to work-related contact outside of normal business hours.
Vision and Hearing Requirements
This position requires a vision test
This position requires a hearing test
Cognitive Requirements
Frequency (% of working day)
Rare/Never
Occasional
0-33%
Frequent
34 – 66%
Constant
> 66%
Working Independently - ability to utilise
autonomy with respect to the processes by
which tasks are completed. Little to no
autonomy with respect to the work allocated to
them by the supervisor
Team Based Work - works in a team of people
and not exposed to isolation
Communicating With Others – Verbal
Communicating With Others - Written
Focused Attention on Task - high levels of
attention required to minimise errors and
ensure accuracy
Concentrating – high levels of concentration
required while completing required tasks
Planning and Sequencing Tasks and Activities -
managing multiple tasks or projects
simultaneously, ensuring that all activities are
completed efficiently and effectively.
Decision Making - required to exercise sound
decision making while completing all aspects of
the position
Problem Solving – requirement to develop
sound solutions to novel or unusual problems
arising during the course of the day
Reasoning - required to exercise sound
reasoning while completing all aspects of the
position within defined scope
Judgement - required to exercise sound
judgement while completing all aspects of the
position within defined scope
Short and Long-term Memory Recall – ready
access to documented procedures or
precedents to perform requirements of the
position
Emotional Resilience - exposure to stressful or
distressing situations including meeting
specified deadlines and production demands,
dealing with aggressive or upset
customers/clients, high conflict situations,
general workload demands, change beyond
individual's personal control
Interruptions – frequency of interruptions to
daily work plans and requirement to change
work plans at short notice
Workplace Health and Safety Obligations
All employees have a legal obligation to comply with regulatory requirements and LRC– SMS (Longreach Regional
Council's - Safety Management System) incorporating WH&S policies, procedures and work instructions. These are
introduced to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, volunteers, the public and the
environment and remain compliant with Industry Benchmark Standards.
The following statements apply to all Managers and Supervisors for the supervision of employees, including permanent,
part-time and casual employees. Your responsibilities include:
1. Setting a good example for staff to follow and encourage a positive attitude to health and safety, ensuring a
safe work environment and safe system of work is provided for all employees, contractors, visitors and
volunteers.
1. Comply with the Health and safety duties and Duty of Care requirements as specified within the Work Health
and Safety Act 2011 Part 2 with particular attention to S19 Primary duty of care for Person Conducting a Business
or Undertaking (PCBU) responsibilities.
1. Striving to meet and/or exceed Key Performance Indicator requirements that have been set by management.
2. To comply with instructions given for WH&S at a workplace by the employer.
3. Ensuring all accidents, incidents, serious bodily injuries, work-related illnesses or dangerous occurrences and
near misses are reported to the WHSA within the required timeframes (within 24 hours of the event)
1. Conducting an investigation and submit a report for any and all accidents or incidents that have occurred within
your area of responsibility within the workplace.
1. Enforcing the wearing of all required uniforms and personal protective equipment, ensuring that the equipment
is worn correctly, after providing proper instruction in its use.
1. Not to willfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for WH&S at the workplace.
2. Not to willfully place at risk the WH&S of any persons at the workplace including yourself.
3. Adhere to the LRC–SMS by Implementing, maintaining and monitoring the Council's WH&S Management Plan
and completing relevant Monthly Action Plan items within your area of responsibility;
1. Performing all work and associated functions in a safe, efficient and effective manner;
2. Assisting with the development, implementation and monitoring of departmental WH&S policies, procedures,
work instruction and verbal directions within your area of responsibility;
1. Providing information to employees through team meetings, toolbox talks or information sessions in relation to
WH&S;
1. Instigate and supervise the facilitation of hazard inspections, risk assessments, and the implementation of
corrective action to eliminate hazards where practical and / or control risks in the workplace;
1. Ensuring risk assessments are conducted and recorded for all identified hazards, or prior to the implementation
of new work practices, hazardous substances, or plant. Also, as required, assisting or participating in the carrying
out of risk assessments on identified hazards;
1. Ensuring that no hazardous substance is purchased or used without first carrying out a risk assessment and
gaining approval from the authorised person.
1. Identifying employee training needs and ensuring that no employee is required to undertake a task without first
receiving training in the safe method of work, or adequate safety instructions
1. Establishing and maintaining a high standard of housekeeping within your individual work area(s) and generally
within the Longreach Regional Council's area of responsibility.
1. Attending any toolbox, team talks or specific training (e.g. Take 5s etc.) as supplied and required by Longreach
Regional Council.
1. Ensuring all employees under your control are aware of first aid locations, fire protection facilities, evacuation
and other emergency procedures.
1. In liaison with the Workplace Rehabilitation Coordinator, implementing rehabilitation procedures and facilitating
early return to work for injured employees. Also assisting with the identification of positions that are suitable
for rehabilitation placements.
1. Attend WH&S Committee meetings as and when required.