HSE Business Partner

Douglas Partners Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Career development

Safety-first culture

Job summary

Douglas Partners Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced HSE Business Partner to join our Sydney Head Office. Reporting to the Health, Safety and Environment Manager, you will implement and maintain our HSE Management System across operations, ensuring compliance with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

This 12-month contract role covers field operations, staff training, incident investigations, workers' compensation and return-to-work programs, with a national travel requirement to project sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 3–5 years' experience in an HSE role in geotechnical/construction or similar.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Experience with risk management, incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Experience managing workers' compensation and return-to-work programs.
• Willingness to travel nationally and hold a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and improvement of the HSE Management System per ISO 14001/45001.
• Conduct risk assessments for field operations and implement controls.
• Develop and maintain safe work procedures across all operations.
• Lead incident investigations and root cause analyses.
• Manage workers' compensation claims and return-to-work programs.
• Prepare monthly safety reports and share performance metrics with leadership.

Skills

HSE management

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety

Environmental Science or related field

Tools

MS Office

HSE reporting systems

Job description

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 12-month contract opportunity with the potential to continue in a permanent capacity.

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 45001
• 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