WHS Policy & Procedure Officer

Children's Ground; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 114,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Classification: Children’s Gnd.

Salary Sacrifice options

Job summary

Children’s Ground is seeking a WHS and Policy & Procedure Officer to lead the development, implementation, and governance of WH&S policies and organizational procedures. The role spans multiple locations including Central Australia, the Top End, and Melbourne, with WHS and policy work split evenly.

It requires strong regulatory knowledge, risk management, and cultural safety alignment with First Nations communities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing WH&S policies and programs.
• Strong knowledge of WH&S legislation, risk management, and best practices.
• Ability to work in culturally sensitive environments and with First Nations communities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and WH&S management systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain WH&S policies and programs to ensure compliance with legislation.
• Lead WH&S risk assessments and audits across locations and recommend improvements.
• Own incident investigations, corrective action plans, and WH&S reporting.
• Coordinate WH&S training with culturally appropriate approaches for First Nations staff.
• Support managers in hazard identification, risk management, and injury prevention.
• Act as primary WH&S compliance liaison with regulatory bodies.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

WHS systems

Education

WH&S qualification

Policy & Governance qualification

Business Administration qualification

Tools

WH&S management systems

Policy documentation software

Job description

About you

You will have demonstrated experience in developing and implementing WH&S policies and programs with strong knowledge of legislation, risk management and best practice. You will need to have ability to work in culturally sensitive environments and have an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by First Nations communities.

About the role

The WHS and Policy & Procedure Officer plays a key role in ensuring compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulations and the effective development, implementation, and review of organisational policies and procedures. The position is responsible for providing WHS leadership, guidance, and support across all operational locations, while also overseeing the continuous improvement and governance of policies and procedures. The role requires a strong understanding of regulatory requirements, risk management, and organisational best practices. A critical component of this role is ensuring that policies and WHS procedures reflect and support the cultural needs of First Nations peoples. The position is based in Central Australia but has responsibilities extending to the Top End and the Shared Office in Melbourne. It is anticipated that WHS will account for 50% of the role and Policy work will be 50%.

Key Responsibilities

Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) – 50%

• Develop, implement, and maintain WH&S policies, procedures, and programs to ensure compliance with national and local legislation.
• Conduct WH&S risk assessments and audits across all operational locations and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Lead incident investigations, develop corrective action plans, and maintain WH&S reporting and records.
• Coordinate and deliver WH&S training and awareness programs for employees and management, ensuring a culturally appropriate approach for First Nations staff and communities.
• Support managers and staff in meeting their WH&S obligations, providing advice on hazard identification, risk management, and injury prevention.
• Act as the primary point of contact for WH&S compliance and liaise with regulatory bodies as required.
• Monitor and analyse WH&S trends, ensuring continuous improvement and best practice implementation.
• Support the development of WH&S committees in CA and the Top End, once established the role will be responsible for the facilitation of WH&S committee meetings and engagement activities to promote a safety-first culture, including culturally responsive engagement strategies for First Nations staff.
• Work with key internal stakeholders to prepare risk management plans for relevant activities, including traditional cultural practices, camps, working in extreme heat, fleet management and safety, and day-to-day program delivery.
• Establish manage and report on corrective actions register, ensuring timely implementation of corrective measures.

Policy & Procedure Development – 50%

• Develop, review, and update organisational policies and procedures to align with legislative requirements and operational needs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure policies and procedures support business objectives and are effectively implemented.
• Ensure policies and procedures incorporate cultural safety principles and reflect the specific needs of First Nations communities and employees.
• Maintain a centralised policy and procedure register, ensuring accessibility and version control.
• Provide advice and guidance on policy interpretation and compliance for staff at all levels.
• Conduct regular policy audits and gap analyses to identify areas requiring updates or new policies.
• Lead consultation processes with relevant internal and external stakeholders, ensuring appropriate engagement with First Nations leaders and representatives.
• Support communication and training initiatives to enhance understanding and adherence to policies and procedures, ensuring inclusivity for First Nations employees.
• Assist in coordinating governance frameworks and document control systems.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Relevant qualifications in WH&S, Policy & Governance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing WH&S policies and programs in a multi-location organisation.
• Strong knowledge of WH&S legislation, risk management principles, and best practices.
• Experience in policy and procedure development, governance, and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to work in culturally sensitive environments and an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by First Nations communities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and provide sound advice at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively across multiple locations.
• High-level organisational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and WH&S management systems.

What we offer

Salary Classification: Children’s Ground EBA Level 7 $126,305 (pro-rata) + 12% superannuation + bonus leave

Salary Sacrifice options to increase take home pay (dependant on individual circumstances)

A collaborative, purpose driven organisation contributing to First Nations led systems change

The preferred candidate will be required to undertake relevant pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and Working with Children Clearance (NT).

In line with our workforce development strategy, Children’s Ground strongly encourages and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.