Senior Safety Business Partner

Schedule 2 - Position DescriptionPosition Title: Senior Safety Business PartnerPosition Number:Directorate: Organisational ServicesTeam: People, Safety and WellnessPosition Status: Fixed Term – 2 YearsClassification Level: Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award Level 7-8Reports to: Director of Organisational ServicesLocation: LongreachRevised: October 2025Our VisionConnecting Council and CommunityOur MissionDelivering Excellent ServicesOur Values1. A Safe and Healthy Work EnvironmentInclusiveness and RespectConsistency and FairnessTeamwork and Staff DevelopmentPerformance and Value for MoneyLeadership and CollaborationSustainabilityForward-lookingPosition ObjectiveThe Senior Safety Business Partner will lead and develop a team of health and safety professionals responsible for thedevelopment of appropriate systems, tools, resources, and training to ensure that Council meets all organisational andlegislative objectives, through proactive partnership with the workforce.Position ResponsibilitiesFunctional Area Key AccountabilitiesLeadership andManagementLead and mentor a small team of Safety professionals including engaging with Health andSafety Representatives.Define annual operational objectives and assign task based on team members strengthsand skills to optimise performance, tracking progress to provide recognition, support, andconstructive feedback.Demonstrate safety in the workplace, where leaders and staff will have the confidence totake accountability for safety leadership and provide a safe work environment.Empower team members through targeted coaching, training, and developmentopportunities to build capability and confidence in managing safety responsibilities.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, to stayinformed of emerging trends and maintain compliance with evolving legislation.Effectively manage resources, operational budgets, and priorities to support the deliveryof high-quality safety initiatives.Respond decisively to safety incidents, ensuring thorough investigations, root causeanalysis, and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence, with a focus onevent learning.Technical • Continue with the implementation, and ongoing review of Council's Safety ManagementSystem, ensuring the system aligns with relevant standards and legislation and is fit forCouncil'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 safetyperformance monitoring and reporting.Recommend and implement WHS operational training initiatives to achieve the desiredoutcomes in accordance with business cases, project management plans andorganisational needs.Actively participate in Health & Safety Committee meetings and assist with theimplementation of initiatives accepted by Council.Prepare and undertake health and safety auditing and compliance related activities inconsultation with stakeholders to mitigate risk and ensure legislative compliance.Liaise with key stakeholders including State Government Regulators and industry groupsto ensure best practice safety, awareness and legislative compliance is achieved.Other • Other suitable duties, consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position asdirected by the accountable supervisor or nominated delegate.Key RelationshipsReports to Director of Organisational Services The Senior Safety Business Partnerwill have an effective relationshipwith the Director of OrganisationalServices and is responsive to theirrequests.Works with (Internally) People, Safety and Wellness TeamWorks Departments (Civil Constructions)Executive Leadership TeamThe Senior Safety Business Partnerwill have a positive relationship withthe wider workforce, which involvesactive communication, sharing ideasand working together to create aconducive environment.Works with (externally) Members of the community, externalagencies and other stakeholdersThe Senior Safety Business Partnerwill have an approachable, attentive,and respectful relationship withmembers of the community, externalagencies, and other stakeholdersbuilt on open communication andtrust.Position RequirementsSkills & 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 andpropose solutions.Highly developed ability to build relationships and collaborate with various stakeholders, fostering a positivesafety culture.Strong ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and organisational settings, staying calm and focused inchallenging 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 workplaceincidents.Qualifications and Experience• Current Unrestricted 'C' Class Drivers LicenceExperience in designing and delivering safety training programs to promote a culture of safety within theorganisation.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 CardConstruction White CardDelegations and AuthorisationsFinancial DelegationA financial delegation of $75,000.00 is assigned to this position. Please refer to Council's Procurement ManagementDirective for details of Councils guidelines as per Local Government Act and Regulation. Legislative Sub-Delegationsand Authorisations may also be applicable to this position and are detailed in the external public registers. Bothregisters 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 soundjudgement to make decisions and take actions that effect programs and/or project relevant to the areas theirmanaging. The position must understand that their powers are limited to their delegated authority and know andcomply with any authority/obligation that comes with their powers.Inherent RequirementsThese are the essential requirements of this position:This role may be subject to work-related contact outside of normal business hours.Vision and Hearing RequirementsThis position requires a vision testThis position requires a hearing testCognitive RequirementsFrequency (% of working day)Rare/NeverOccasional0-33%Frequent34 – 66%Constant> 66%Working Independently - ability to utiliseautonomy with respect to the processes bywhich tasks are completed. Little to noautonomy with respect to the work allocated tothem by the supervisorTeam Based Work - works in a team of peopleand not exposed to isolationCommunicating With Others – VerbalCommunicating With Others - WrittenFocused Attention on Task - high levels ofattention required to minimise errors andensure accuracyConcentrating – high levels of concentrationrequired while completing required tasksPlanning and Sequencing Tasks and Activities -managing multiple tasks or projectssimultaneously, ensuring that all activities arecompleted efficiently and effectively.Decision Making - required to exercise sounddecision making while completing all aspects ofthe positionProblem Solving – requirement to developsound solutions to novel or unusual problemsarising during the course of the dayReasoning - required to exercise soundreasoning while completing all aspects of theposition within defined scopeJudgement - required to exercise soundjudgement while completing all aspects of theposition within defined scopeShort and Long-term Memory Recall – readyaccess to documented procedures orprecedents to perform requirements of thepositionEmotional Resilience - exposure to stressful ordistressing situations including meetingspecified deadlines and production demands,dealing with aggressive or upsetcustomers/clients, high conflict situations,general workload demands, change beyondindividual's personal controlInterruptions – frequency of interruptions todaily work plans and requirement to changework plans at short noticeWorkplace Health and Safety ObligationsAll employees have a legal obligation to comply with regulatory requirements and LRC– SMS (Longreach RegionalCouncil's - Safety Management System) incorporating WH&S policies, procedures and work instructions. These areintroduced to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, volunteers, the public and theenvironment 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:Setting a good example for staff to follow and encourage a positive attitude to health and safety, ensuring asafe work environment and safe system of work is provided for all employees, contractors, visitors andvolunteers.Comply with the Health and safety duties and Duty of Care requirements as specified within the Work Healthand Safety Act 2011 Part 2 with particular attention to S19 Primary duty of care for Person Conducting a Businessor Undertaking (PCBU) responsibilities.Striving to meet and/or exceed Key Performance Indicator requirements that have been set by management.To comply with instructions given for WH&S at a workplace by the employer.Ensuring all accidents, incidents, serious bodily injuries, work-related illnesses or dangerous occurrences andnear misses are reported to the WHSA within the required timeframes (within 24 hours of the event)Conducting an investigation and submit a report for any and all accidents or incidents that have occurred withinyour area of responsibility within the workplace.Enforcing the wearing of all required uniforms and personal protective equipment, ensuring that the equipmentis worn correctly, after providing proper instruction in its use.Not to willfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for WH&S at the workplace.Not to willfully place at risk the WH&S of any persons at the workplace including yourself.Adhere to the LRC–SMS by Implementing, maintaining and monitoring the Council's WH&S Management Planand completing relevant Monthly Action Plan items within your area of responsibility;Performing all work and associated functions in a safe, efficient and effective manner;Assisting with the development, implementation and monitoring of departmental WH&S policies, procedures,work instruction and verbal directions within your area of responsibility;Providing information to employees through team meetings, toolbox talks or information sessions in relation toWH&S;Instigate and supervise the facilitation of hazard inspections, risk assessments, and the implementation ofcorrective action to eliminate hazards where practical and / or control risks in the workplace;Ensuring risk assessments are conducted and recorded for all identified hazards, or prior to the implementationof new work practices, hazardous substances, or plant. Also, as required, assisting or participating in the carryingout of risk assessments on identified hazards;Ensuring that no hazardous substance is purchased or used without first carrying out a risk assessment andgaining approval from the authorised person.Identifying employee training needs and ensuring that no employee is required to undertake a task without firstreceiving training in the safe method of work, or adequate safety instructionsEstablishing and maintaining a high standard of housekeeping within your individual work area(s) and generallywithin the Longreach Regional Council's area of responsibility.Attending any toolbox, team talks or specific training (e.g. Take 5s etc.) as supplied and required by LongreachRegional Council.Ensuring all employees under your control are aware of first aid locations, fire protection facilities, evacuationand other emergency procedures.In liaison with the Workplace Rehabilitation Coordinator, implementing rehabilitation procedures and facilitatingearly return to work for injured employees. Also assisting with the identification of positions that are suitablefor rehabilitation placements.Attend WH&S Committee meetings as and when required.