DSTG conducts world leading science and technology research to support the mission of Defence. This includes work with complex, high hazard research domains such as hazardous chemicals, radiation sources, explosive ordnance, advanced engineering, field research trials and biological materials. The Group Safety Coordinator is a key Work Health and Safety (WHS) professional role responsible for leading the enabling Safety Team within the group. The Work Health and Safety Team is responsible for partnering in the delivery of safe, and compliant research outcome for Defence.
The role provides authoritative WHS advice, ensures alignment with Defence and supports the assurance of DSTG's WHS Management System. This role collaborates closely with scientific and technical leaders to embed safe design, safe systems of work, and continuous improvement. This is a strategic, relationship-focused position that requires strong professional WHS knowledge, influence, and an ability to work within a federated Safety Management System with a maturing safety culture.
Strategic WHS Leadership & Governance
* Provide authoritative WHS advice to DSTG senior leadership to support decision making and safe delivery of DSTG research outcomes.
* Support development, implementation and continuous improvement of the DSTG WHS Management System aligned to Defence requirements and best practice systems approaches.
* Promote safety as an enabler of research excellence and innovation.
WHS Systems, Risk, and Hazard Management
* Lead or support WHS risk management processes across DSTG, including identification of critical risks and critical controls.
* Lead the Work Health and Safety team and provide expert advice on specialised WHS hazards including chemicals, radiation, and research environments.
* Ensure the DSTG Safety Management System is agile aligned with legislation, Defence policy, and avoids Safety clutter.
* Support WHS assurance programs including inspections, audits, and readiness assessments.
* Oversee monitoring, evaluation and reporting of WHS performance and risk control effectiveness.
* Guide incident investigations to strengthen system performance and prevent recurrence.
Organisational Capability & Culture
* Build WHS capability across DSTG by mentoring, coaching and empowering staff, supervisors, and scientific leaders.
* Promote and support a positive safety culture that recognises the maturity of different research environments and adapts accordingly. Lead WHS consultation processes, contributing to committees, working groups, and project teams.
* Work collaboratively with Senior Safety Advisors, Hazards Leads and Defence corporate safety stakeholders.
* Support alignment and integration of systems, processes and reporting across DSTG divisions, sites and research groups.
* Represent DSTG on internal and external forums relating to specialist WHS matters.
About our Team
The DSTG Work Health and Safety Operational/Assurance team is part of the Research Operations team. It is a team of professional, and hazard specialists working to enable DSTG's world leading and high hazard science to be delivered safely, securely, and with confidence. Operating at the intersection of complex research, Defence requirements, and organisational reform, the team provides WHS leadership, systems stewardship, and proportionate assurance across diverse technical environments.
By partnering closely with scientists, engineers, and senior leaders, the team ensures safety is embedded as an enabler of innovation—supporting sovereign, research and trusted collaboration with Defence, industry, and allies. The team plays a pivotal role in keeping DSTG match fit, continuously adapting WHS frameworks to evolving risk, strategic priorities, and Defence reform.
This is an opportunity to lead and develop a respected, expert, and collaborative team, shape safety culture at scale, and influence how one of Australia's most advanced research organisations delivers impact—safely, efficiently, and forward leaning.
Our Ideal Candidate
* The candidate will work as part of the directorate and branch executive team to create an environment which facilitates the sharing and effective utilisation of professional knowledge and skills. They will promote effective teamwork, motivate staff and encourage them to contribute to a high performance culture; and manage people and issues in a flexible manner.
* The candidate will have an ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, negotiate and influence as required to develop and implement solutions to parties with differing or conflicting interests; and communicate with and influence key stakeholders on safety and technical matters.
* Knowledge and experience to lead the Safety Team by setting a clear direction to best support complex, high hazard research environments.
* An approach that is highly collaborative, with the ability to collaborate with scientists, engineers, technicians, and senior leaders.
* An understanding that collaboration with other enabling areas is key to your success.
* Systems thinking, strategic WHS leadership, risk management, and understand that safety culture is a behaviour requires ownership for safety at every level.
* Experience implementing and assuring WHS Management Systems in line with legislation, Defence WHS requirements, and high-risk environments.
* A passion for safety, sound judgment, professionalism, and ethical practice.
For further information please review the job information pack, reference DSTG/02617/26 on "https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=39D4C78C-2E40-3CE2-A29D-ECEFE78A2B50".
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