Safety & Accreditation Manager

Department for Education, South Australia; South Australia; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

An educational department in South Australia seeks a Safety & Accreditation Manager to lead safety management in transport services, ensuring compliance with national regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, proven change management experience, and a background in safety systems. This role offers the opportunity to impact student safety while working in a collaborative and innovative environment with flexible arrangements.

Qualifications

• Desirable: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent experience.
• Current driver's license required; willingness to travel as needed.
• Should hold or obtain & maintain a Working with Children Check.
• Working with Children Check and compliance required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain safety management systems aligned with national regulations.
• Lead training programs to promote safety awareness among staff and students.
• Oversee risk assessments and incident reporting processes.
• Manage accreditation requirements for transport safety.
• Provide expert advice on transport safety matters to stakeholders.
• Build relationships with regulatory bodies and industry associations to ensure standards.

Skills

Communication skills

Change management

Strategic thinking

Policy development

Risk management

Safety systems implementation

Safety systems

NHVR regulations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety

Job description

Are you a safety-focused professional with expertise in transport compliance and a passion for fostering a culture of safety? Do you thrive in leadership roles where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of students and communities? If so, this opportunity with the Department for Education could be the one for you.

About the role

As the Safety & Accreditation Manager, you will lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety management systems for transport services supporting over 16,000 students across South Australia. You will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with national and state legislation while fostering a proactive safety-first culture within schools, contracted fleets, and the department.

This role also involves managing accreditation processes, risk management, overseeing incident reporting procedures, and leading assurance activities to ensure operational excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain safety management systems aligned with Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and NHVR regulations.
• Lead training programs to promote safety awareness among bus drivers, school staff, and students through initiatives like the BusSafe program.
• Oversee risk assessments, incident reporting processes, and assurance activities to ensure compliance with legislation.
• Manage accreditation requirements for Maintenance Management and Fatigue Management modules.
• Provide expert advice on transport safety matters to stakeholders at all levels.
• Build strong relationships with regulatory bodies and industry associations to ensure compliance with standards.

What we are looking for

• We are seeking an experienced professional who is passionate about safety management and has the ability to drive change while fostering collaboration across diverse teams. Key competencies include:
• Strong communication skills to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead change management initiatives in complex environments.
• Strategic thinking with excellent organisational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Expertise in developing policies, risk management, and implementing safety systems.
• Knowledge of NHVR regulations and experience in delivering training programs is highly desirable.

Qualifications & Special Conditions

• Desirable: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Current driver's license required; willingness to travel as needed within/outside South Australia.
• Should hold or obtain & maintain a Working with Children Check

Why join the Department for Education?

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of South Australian students while contributing to a safer transport environment. We offer flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be part of an organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

How to apply

If you are ready to take on this exciting opportunity as Safety & Accreditation Manager - Transport Services, please submit your resume along with a cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

Robert Walters Australia is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.