Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Overview

Reports to: Director of People & Culture

Status: Permanent Full-time

Schedule: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday – Friday (75 hours bi-weekly)

Compensation: $58,000 - $68,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Organizational Focus: Pacifica Housing has been providing safe and affordable homes for almost 35 years. We are a rapidly growing organization dedicated to meeting the housing and support needs of our community. As such, we are committed to building our fast-growing team with a culture that supports our people and reinforces our core values of authenticity, leadership, respect, and social justice.

Pacifica is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign.

Responsibilities

Primary Objectives:

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist will be responsible for:

- In partnership with operational leadership and personnel to assess hazards and risks at Pacifica worksites and provide guidance on effective control strategies, including the development of safe work procedures and practices.
- Supports incident investigation processes and provides recommendations to address incident root causes where necessary.
- Prepares and reviews incident submissions to WorkSafeBC with timeliness and accuracy; submits required documentation and works with WorkSafeBC personnel as required
- Supports claims management processes and provides recommendations to improve recovery and return to work outcomes.
- Advise senior management on the effective collection of safety incident data; analyze safety data to identify trends, recommend corrective actions, and generate reports as necessary
- Conducts site visits, inspections, and audits to identify potential gaps and prevent the development of hazards and takes appropriate action including correcting, notifying employees and leadership, summarizing and completing reports on the findings, and identifying those that require follow-up.
- In consultation with operational management, supports department supervision through the identification, coordination, and implementation of required health and safety training and orientations.
- Chair the Joint Health and Safety Committees in Victoria and Nanaimo.
- Promotes a culture of health and safety through JOSH Committees, participation in operations team meetings, and other communications campaigns as required.
- Assisting with the implementation and management of comprehensive health and safety and emergency preparedness programs.
- Ensuring that personal protective supplies are maintained and used at all worksites.

Education

- Formal qualification (certificate, diploma, or degree) in occupational health and safety, legislative compliance, or other related program
- Occupational First Aid Level 1 or higher
- CRSP designation would be an asset

Experience

- Minimum two (2) years professional OH&S experience
- Experience as a member of and supporting a Joint Health and Safety Committee
- Prior experience of conducting risk assessments and incident investigations
- Professional experience of Microsoft office suite
- Prior experience with supportive housing provider, social services, or similar considered an asset

Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Working knowledge of Workers’ Compensation Board Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Workers’ Compensations Act, and applicable municipal, provincial, and federal regulations
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to follow through and resolve outstanding issues within a timely basis
- Strong interpersonal skills; with an ability to demonstrate a collaborative and encouraging approach
- Ability to remain objective and calm during stressful situations, and diffuse escalating situations using tact and diplomacy
- Working knowledge of root cause analysis and ability to apply OHS principles to hazard mitigation
- Advanced writing skills, especially for reports and developing relevant policies

Additional Criteria for Role

- Completion of a Criminal Record Check with the Vulnerable Sector is required before employment commences.
- This position is based in Victoria but some travel to Nanaimo is required
- Valid BC Class 5 Drivers’ license required; owning a reliable car with valid insurance is required. Mileage will be reimbursed if applicable.

As Pacifica Housing works with vulnerable populations, we require all staff to successfully clear a Vulnerable Sectors Criminal Record Check run by the Ministry of Justice. Any offer of employment is contingent on the applicant providing proof of criminal record check prior to commencing employment.

Please note: While this position is posted externally concurrently, members within the collective bargaining unit will receive first consideration in the appointment.

Benefits

- A mission driven and meaningful working environment.
- Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
- Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate for all permanent staff.
- Excellent benefits package for full-time employees (includes extended health and dental, life insurance, and more).
- Competitive employer RRSP contributions.
- Employee assistance program.
- Wellness time.
- Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
- Organization and individual training opportunities.
- Social committee that includes robust team building and staff social events.
- Dog friendly offices.

Pacifica Housing advises all employees, contractors and volunteers of the risk of violence, injury and harm that is present in the execution of their duties. Pacifica Housing is committed to providing a safe and risk-free work place, however, we acknowledge the inherent risk in social housing and direct support work while in homes and in other support relationships.

Pacifica celebrates diversity and what makes you uniquely you. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, and diversability.

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