About the Role

The Safety Manager will provide a full range of services and support across Workplace Health and Safety (WHS). The Safety Manager will be responsible for the maintenance and overview of Surf Life Saving Queensland’s (SLSQ) Safety Management System ensuring compliance with current legislative and regulatory obligations. This role will manage and enhance WHS, environment and wellbeing programs and initiatives, and deliver overall efficiency and effectiveness to support a positive safety culture. This role requires a proactive, evidence and risk-based approach to WHS including risk assessment, incident investigation, compliance and safety training. There is a strong focus on raising awareness by building the knowledge and capabilities of the workforce and embedding safety systems to prevent, respond to, and manage incidents.

About You

Bringing an appetite for continuous improvement and a demonstrated ability in achieving best practice outcomes, you will have qualifications in Workplace Health and Safety or a relevant discipline with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a WHS role, preferably working across multiple sites and divisions.

A natural inclination towards collaboration with a deep understanding of WHS regulations and safety best practices, you are a highly skilled and proactive professional adept at identifying potential hazards, developing effective safety protocols and ensuring strict compliance across all operations. A proven track record of reducing incidents and improving safety performance will ensure success in this role.

You are an excellent communicator, engaging with employees at all levels to promote safety awareness and a safe working environment. We’re looking for a team player and someone who can both lead and “do”.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and review WHS policies and procedures.
• Lead and support continuous improvement projects that align with the corporate safety strategy and promote a safety culture.
• Manage Safety Management Systems including maintaining databases, registers, manuals, practices and reporting.
• Develop and implement a formal workplace health, safety and wellbeing program.
• Work with key stakeholders to ensure injury management, WorkCover and return to work programs are managed effectively.
• Be the primary source of expertise within SLSQ on matters relating to WHS, Fire Safety, and Emergency Management.
• Assist with ensuring that WHS goals and objectives are understood, widely communicated, monitored, and measured.
• Organise and facilitate safety training sessions, including the use of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits, and evaluate for effectiveness.
• Respond to significant hazards, incidents and near misses across all services and programs, undertake incident investigations and provide quality reporting ensuring identification of system issues with contributory factors recommending corrective actions to address identified risks.
• Report on WHS to key stakeholders as needed.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure safety is integrated into daily operations and new projects.
• Raise awareness and priority of WHS issues, providing advice, guidance and support to groups and individuals.
• Attend meetings and collaborate with WHS and Risk Committees.
• Keep up to date with legislative changes and ensure policies and processes are updated accordingly.
• Develop and lead programs to mitigate hazards through conducting safety-based risk assessments, reviewing systems and processes.
• Undertake scheduled and ad hoc environmental inspections, risk assessments, and audits of the SLSQ workforce, facilities and workplaces.

Your skills, qualifications & experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Occupational Safety and/ or Workplace Health and Safety or a related field.
• Current QLD Fire Safety Advisor certification (or ability to gain).
• Proven experience in a similar role.
• Excellent stakeholder management, training and communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong aptitude and ability to undertake safety audits and investigations using data analysis, application systems and technology.
• Strong understanding of WHS principles.
• Proficiency in using Safety Management Systems.
• Proven ability to analyse data quantitatively and qualitatively to identify areas of risk to inform proactive injury and incident responses.
• Ability to identify hazards and control risks in the workplace.
• Knowledge and understanding of WHS legislation (Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice).
• Knowledge and understanding of ISO 45000: Occupational Health and Safety.
• Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators Certificate (or ability to obtain one).
• Working With Children Blue Card (or ability to obtain one).
• Open Driver’s License.
• Ability to work independently.

Why work for SLSQ

• Access to Not For Profit salary packaging
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Environment
• Knowing that your efforts support an essential public safety service

About SLSQ

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) was formally established in 1930, is the governing body for surf lifesaving in Queensland and comprises of 58 affiliated surf lifesaving clubs in six regional branches which service more than 36,000 members.

SLSQ employs over 550 people throughout Queensland and is an efficient and vibrant organisation. The organisation also includes supporters’ clubs and a range of programs that involve more than 462,000 participants. SLSQ is directly affiliated with and is part of, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and the International Life Saving Federation (ILF).

SLSQ is built on a fundamental principle: to save lives with a vision of zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters. Our organisation encompasses several diverse arms; Lifesaving services, Community education, Membership services, Surf sports, Fundraising and Commercial training.

SLSQ is built on a fundamental principal: to save lives.

If you want to work with a purpose-driven organisation and then APPLY NOW!

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. Shortlisting will commence immediately.

We are an equal opportunity employer with commitment to safeguarding children and young people. All candidates are required to undertake a working with children check.