Applications for this position close on Sunday 19 AEST.
The Opportunities
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking a qualified, experienced professional to undertake an APS6 Work Health & Safety Officer role within the Work Health and Safety Unit (WHSU). The WHSU facilitates the provision of a healthy and safe workplace for all staff and endeavours to promote a positive Work Health & Safety (WHS) culture in the department by implementing, coordinating and maintaining a comprehensive Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS).
The WHS Officer role will provide workplace health and safety advice and support, train employees in work health and safety responsibilities and procedures, monitor and audit the workplace, record and ensure incidents are investigated and enable compliance with health and safety legislation, frameworks, policies and procedures.
The initial vacancies to be filled from this process are based in Canberra. This process may be used to fill roles in other locations in Australia and overseas.
Our Ideal Candidates
We’re looking for high-performing people with skills and experience relevant to the department’s enabling services operations.
Please note: Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety is mandatory. Diploma in WHS is desirable.
Our ideal candidates will demonstrate:
• Tertiary qualifications in Work Health & Safety (mandatory).
• A proven ability to interpret and apply relevant workplace health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures, ensuring decisions and advice are consistent, evidence-based and compliant with statutory and organisational requirements.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with a strong ability to build productive relationships, convey complex information effectively, and influence positive outcomes
• Advanced written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and strategically focused briefs, reports and executive papers.
• A proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, balancing competing demands while consistently delivering high-quality outcomes within established timeframes.
• Strong research and analytical capability, including interpretation of safety data.
All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.
The key duties of the position include:
Your duties and responsibilities will be aligned to the relevant APS Work Level Standards.
Your key duties will include:
• Providing expert policy, technical and operational advice and guidance on complex WHS matters
• Monitoring the performance of the department’s approach to assessing compliance with WHS legislation, policies and other requirements by analysing qualitative and quantitative information, hazard/incident responses and by liaising with relevant stakeholders
• Consulting on WHS matters with stakeholders across the department
• Leading accident/incident/near miss and hazard reporting and investigations
• Engaging and managing the relationship with Comcare
• Ensuring mandatory notification timeframes for incident reporting are met
• Ensuring WHS requirements are embedded in other departmental systems and supporting policies and procedures
• Advising leadership on risk mitigation and emerging safety issues
• Undertaking WHS audits against the department’s WHSMS
• Research, development and review of WHS policy documentation
• Preparing, delivering and reviewing WHS awareness and communications campaigns, guidance materials, outreach and briefings for staff in Canberra and posts
Eligibility
Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety is mandatory. Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety is desirable.
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).