Douglas Partners Pty Ltd is an employee-owned and Australian industry-leading geotechnical, environmental and groundwater consultancy employing over 650 people throughout 19 offices, with 14 NATA-accredited laboratories across Australia. Our core values of People, Integrity, Improvement, Excellence guide everything we do. We prioritise safety, foster an inclusive culture, act with integrity, continuously strive for improvement and are committed to sustainability and excellence in all our work.
To learn more about our company values, visit www.douglaspartners.com.au.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced HSE Business Partner to join our Shared Services team at our Sydney Head Office. Reporting to the Health, Safety and Environment Manager, you will play a key role in implementing and maintaining our HSE Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
This is a nationwide role covering field operations, staff training, compliance monitoring, incident investigation, and workers' compensation and return-to-work programs. You'll partner closely with project teams, site personnel and management across our consulting division, laboratories and geotechnical drilling subsidiary, helping to embed a strong, proactive safety culture across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Health, Safety and Environmental Management
- Support the implementation and continuous improvement of our HSE Management System in line with ISO 14001 and ISO 4501
- Conduct risk assessments for field operations and ensure appropriate controls are in place
- Develop, implement and maintain safe work procedures across all operational areas
- Maintain a strong field presence through safety observations, inspections and audits
- Coach, mentor and advise staff to promote a proactive safety culture
Training & Development
- Develop and deliver HSE training programs for employees and contractors
- Maintain training records and ensure ongoing compliance with HSE requirements
- Facilitate toolbox talks, safety briefings and inductions
- Provide on-site coaching to embed safety best practices in daily operations
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses and corrective action recommendations
- Ensure incidents, near misses and hazards are recorded, investigated and reported
- Prepare monthly safety reports, tracking trends and improvement opportunities
- Communicate key HSE updates and performance metrics to leadership and field teams
Compliance & Audits
- Ensure compliance with WHS and environmental regulations across multiple jurisdictions
- Support internal and external audits and the implementation of corrective actions
- Maintain documentation to support statutory compliance
Workers' Compensation & Return to Work
- Manage workers' compensation claims and coordinate return-to-work programs
- Liaise with employees, medical professionals and insurers to support rehabilitation
- Maintain accurate records of injuries, claims and return-to-work outcomes
About You
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field
- 3-5 years' experience in an HSE role, ideally within geotechnical engineering, construction, or a similar industry
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
- Proven experience in risk management, incident investigation and root cause analysis (ICAM or TapRooT certification preferred)
- Experience managing workers' compensation and return-to-work programs
- Strong stakeholder engagement, coaching and communication skills across all levels of an organisation
- Sound understanding of HSE and workers' compensation legal obligations across multiple Australian jurisdictions
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HSE reporting systems
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessing, and First Aid & CPR certification, are advantageous
- Current driver's licence and willingness to travel to project sites nationally
Why Join Us
- Join an employee-owned company with a genuine, values-driven culture
- Be part of a national team shaping safety outcomes across a leading geotechnical, environmental and groundwater consultancy
- Work across a diverse range of business units, from consulting to laboratories to drilling operations
- Access to career development, training and a supportive, safety-first environment
- Competitive remuneration and the opportunity to make a real, national-level impact on safety culture