Senior Safety Advisor

John Holland; Cootamundra; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

18 weeks paid parental leave

Flexible work arrangements

Career development programs

Iconic rail projects

Inclusive culture

Wellbeing support

Job summary

John Holland is seeking a Senior Safety Advisor to support the Illabo to Stockinbingal rail project. The role focuses on implementing safety practices, leading inspections, and coordinating with engineers and managers on rail infrastructure works.

You will report to the Safety Manager and operate from Sydney initially, with on-site duties at Stockinbingal on a 2:1 roster as construction commences, contributing to a robust safety culture across the project.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in occupational health and safety, engineering, or a related field.
• Certifications such as Construction Safety Certificate or CSP are highly regarded.
• Experience in safety roles within construction, preferably large-scale rail projects.
• Strong knowledge of local safety regulations and risk control measures.
• Proficiency with safety management systems and incident reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits to identify hazards and risks.
• Provide safety training and education to project staff and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Investigate accidents and near misses to determine causes and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with project managers and engineers to integrate safety into planning and design.
• Review safety data and trends to identify improvement opportunities and implement measures.
• Lead safety meetings and participate in project-wide safety initiatives.
• Coordinate with authorities and stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead emergency response and contingency planning activities.

Skills

Safety leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Rail/Infrastructure experience

Willing to DIDO

Relocation flexibility

Roster availability 2:1

Education

Degree in occupational health and safety or engineering

Construction Safety Certification (CSP)

Tools

Safety management systems

Incident reporting software

Job description

About Inland Rail

Inland Rail is transforming how goods are moved around Australia, connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. This 1,700km fast freight backbone will complete our national freight network – better connecting producers to markets and creating new opportunities for regional businesses, industries and communities.

Job Description

About Inland Rail

Inland Rail is transforming how goods are moved around Australia, connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. This 1,700km fast freight backbone will complete our national freight network – better connecting producers to markets and creating new opportunities for regional businesses, industries and communities.

The Illabo to Stockinbingal project is about 39km of new rail corridor located within the local government areas of Junee and Cootamundra-Gundagai. This new section of rail corridor will provide a direct route from east of Illabo, tracking north to Stockinbingal and connecting into the existing Forbes rail line.

What is needed?

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Safety Advisor with demonstrable experience in Structures to work on our newly awarded Illabo to Stockinbingal project (I2S) willing to explore a new opportunity in regional NSW.

This role will be a Monday-Friday Sydney-based role until construction commences in July. The role will then be a 2:1 Roster based on site in Stockinbingal.

This position will assist in supporting the Work, Health and Safety function and implement safety practices, systems and procedures. The position will report to the Safety Manager.

Responsibilities Of The Role Include

• Conducting regular safety inspections and audits to identify potential hazards and risks.
• Providing safety training and education to project staff and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• Investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses to identify causes and develop corrective actions.
• Collaborating with project managers and engineers to ensure that safety considerations are integrated into project planning and design.
• Reviewing and analysing safety data and trends to identify areas for improvement and implement proactive safety measures.
• Participating in safety meetings and committees to contribute to the development and implementation of project-wide safety initiatives.
• Liaising with regulatory authorities and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Leading emergency response and crisis management activities, including developing and testing contingency plans.

About You

Education and Certification: A relevant degree in occupational health and safety, engineering, or a related field. Additionally, certifications such as a Construction Safety Certificate, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent is highly regarded.

Experience: Previous experience in a similar safety role, preferably in the construction industry. Experience specifically with large-scale rail projects would be advantageous.

Knowledge of Safety Standards and Regulations: A strong understanding of local safety regulations, standards, and best practices is essential. This includes knowledge of construction safety regulations, hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in using safety management systems, incident reporting software, and other relevant software tools is beneficial. Additionally, familiarity with safety equipment and technologies commonly used in construction projects is important.

Communication and Leadership Skills: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively communicate safety policies, procedures, and training to project staff. Additionally, strong leadership skills are important for influencing safety culture and motivating others to prioritize safety.

Problem‑Solving and Analytical Skills: The ability to identify and analyze safety risks, incidents, and trends is crucial. You should be able to develop practical and effective solutions to mitigate risks and improve safety performance.

Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail is necessary to conduct thorough safety inspections, audits, and investigations. You should be able to identify potential hazards and risks and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Collaboration and Relationship-Building: The ability to work collaboratively with project managers, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders is important.

• Experience on complex Rail/Infrastructure projects
• Willing to DIDO
• Or, willing to relocate yourself within an hour’s commute of Cootamundra/Stockinbingal.
• Be open to working a 2:1 roster (2 weeks on / 1 week off)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits, including salary continuance and salary sacrifice options
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave, including 18 weeks paid parental leave
• Career development through technical, leadership and emerging talent programs
• Opportunities to work on some of Australia's most iconic projects
• A diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong
• Wellbeing support and benefits designed to help you thrive

At John Holland, our purpose is simple: we transform lives with everything we do.

We know infrastructure is about people - our customers, our employees and the communities we work in every day. That's what sets us apart: deep expertise, proven capability and a genuine commitment to creating better outcomes for people along the way.

With expertise spanning engineering, construction and operations, we're delivering the projects and services that keep communities moving. From rail, roads and bridges to hospitals and stadiums, we've helped shape Australia through iconic projects. You'll even see us operating buses, trains and trams.

Be part of a team that's up for the challenge of transforming lives.

John Holland does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s from agencies that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers.