Safety Specialist

Evolve Scientific; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft is seeking a Safety Specialist to join a major desalination plant operation on the Gold Coast. You will support health and safety programs, drive compliance, and promote a strong safety culture in a highly regulated environment.

The role involves coordinating inductions, leading investigations, managing corrective actions, and collaborating with stakeholders to maintain site safety systems and wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Workplace Health & Safety or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in a dedicated HSE/WHS role.
• Experience in contractor management, risk management, audits, incident investigations, and safety systems.
• Exposure to construction, maintenance, industrial, utilities, or similar high-risk environments.
• Sound knowledge of Queensland WHS legislation.
• Strong reporting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Current Driver's Licence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide health and safety advice and support to site management and employees.
• Conduct risk assessments, workplace inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Lead incident investigations, including ICAM investigations where required.
• Coordinate inductions, training, and competency requirements.
• Manage corrective actions arising from incidents, audits, and inspections.
• Support injury management and return-to-work processes.
• Monitor and report on safety performance metrics.
• Promote wellbeing initiatives and mental health awareness programs.
• Support shutdowns, maintenance activities, and project works from a safety perspective.
• Build strong relationships with employees, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation, contractual obligations, and company standards.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Risk assessments

Incident investigations

Safety data and reporting

Worker wellbeing

Education

Workplace Health & Safety qualification

Relevant experience in HSE/WHS

Tools

Microsoft Office

Safety management systems

Job description

About the role:

Are you a passionate safety professional looking for your next opportunity in critical infrastructure? We are seeking an experienced Safety Specialist to join a major desalination plant operation on the Gold Coast. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly regulated environment, supporting operational excellence and fostering a strong safety culture across a large-scale water treatment facility.

This role is offered as a 6-month casual contract working full-time hours, with the possibility of transitioning into a permanent position for the right candidate.

Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, you will support the delivery of health and safety programs across a major desalination facility. Working closely with operational leaders, you'll drive compliance, promote a strong safety culture, support workforce wellbeing initiatives, and contribute to the continuous improvement of site safety systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide health and safety advice and support to site management and employees.
• Conduct risk assessments, workplace inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Lead incident investigations, including ICAM investigations where required.
• Coordinate inductions, training, and competency requirements.
• Manage corrective actions arising from incidents, audits, and inspections.
• Support injury management and return-to-work processes.
• Monitor and report on safety performance metrics.
• Promote wellbeing initiatives and mental health awareness programs.
• Support shutdowns, maintenance activities, and project works from a safety perspective.
• Build strong relationships with employees, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation, contractual obligations, and company standards.

Skills/Experience

You are a practical and proactive safety professional with strong stakeholder engagement skills and a hands-on approach to fostering safe work practices.

Essential Requirements

• Qualification in Workplace Health & Safety or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in a dedicated HSE/WHS role.
• Experience in contractor management, risk management, audits, incident investigations, and safety systems.
• Exposure to construction, maintenance, industrial, utilities, or similar high-risk environments.
• Sound knowledge of Queensland WHS legislation.
• Strong reporting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Current Driver's Licence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety management systems.

Desirable

• Experience within water, utilities, mining, energy, oil & gas, or heavy industry.
• Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.
• White Card, Confined Space Entry, and/or Return to Work Coordinator qualifications.
• Experience with systems such as Rapid Global, Rivo, Cloud Assess, or similar platforms.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.