Assistant Director Occupational Health & Safety

Safety Services Nova Scotia; Halifax; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

A dedicated safety services organization in Halifax seeks an Assistant Director of Occupational Health and Safety. The role focuses on strategic leadership, compliance, and delivering training across various sectors. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in OHS and significant leadership experience. Competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, and retirement plans offered. Apply via resume and cover letter.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of OHS experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable OHS laws and standards.
• Ability to deliver training and auditing services across various industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve health and safety products and services.
• Build relationships with clients and industry associations.
• Ensure compliance with all OHS legislation.

Skills

OHS training delivery

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Leadership

Analytical skills

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety

Professional certification (e.g., CRSP, CSP)

Job description

Job Title:Assistant Director of Occupational Health and Safety

Reports To:Executive Director of OHS

Location:Halifax, NS

Employment Type:Full-Time, Permanent

About Safety Services Nova Scotia

Safety Services Nova Scotia (SSNS) is seeking anAssistant Director of Occupational Health and Safetyto join our dedicated and growing team in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

At SSNS, we are committed to building a safer Nova Scotia for everyone. For over 50 years, Safety Services Nova Scotia has been a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives across our province. We providesector-leading training, education, and advocacy in crucial areas such as Road Safety, Occupational Safety, and Community Safety. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to identify hazards, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of safety, ultimately creating healthier and more secure communities throughout Nova Scotia.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is responsible for delivering services to clients and managing daily operations. This role ensures that all operations meet or exceed applicable occupational health and safety legislation, industry standards, and internal policies, while fostering a proactive safety culture across all levels of the organization and client organizations.

A key responsibility of this position is building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. This requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to listen actively, communicate clearly, and adapt messaging to the needs of diverse audiences. Strong communication skills are essential, particularly in the delivery of in-the-field training and courses, where engaging participants and ensuring that safety concepts are both understood and applied. By fostering open dialogue, demonstrating credibility, and addressing client needs with clarity and consistency, the Assistant Director of Occupational Health and Safety strengthens long-term partnerships and advances a culture of safety excellence and organizational reputation for Safety Services Nova Scotia.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the SSNS’s health and safety products and services.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the OHS team on health, safety, and regulatory compliance matters.
• Monitor industry trends, legislative changes, and emerging risks to ensure organizational readiness.
• Support Executive Director in the implementation of initiatives and goals.

Customer & Industry Relations

• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with clients, partners, and industry associations.
• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and safety forums to promote expertise and thought leadership.
• Collaborate with customers to ensure their safety expectations are understood, met, and exceeded.
• Strengthen the SSNS’s network within the safety community to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Delivery of Services

• Deliver programming and services in all areas of the OHS Division
• Must be able to deliver training in areas of:
• Confined Space Entry
• Forklift
• Fall Protection
• Mobile Elevated Work Platform
• Supervisor training
• Provide auditing and consulting services across a broad range of industries and sectors

Policy & Program Management

• Oversee OHS management systems to align with OHS Act and recognized standards.
• Lead the development and delivery of health and safety training programs and services to clients.
• Participate and coach leadership in health and safety compliance and application of SMS and ISO Management System.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all OHS legislation and reporting requirements.
• Lead or support incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective/preventive action planning.
• Maintain relationships with regulatory bodies and industry safety associations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor health and safety personnel to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Collaborate with managers across departments to support operational plans.

Skills & Competencies

• Experience and skill in delivering OHS training.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to drive improvements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Public speaking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, or related field preferred.
• Professional certification (e.g., CRSP, CSP) required.
• Minimum 10 years of OHS experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable OHS laws (Both Provincial and Federal), standards, and best practices.
• Proven ability to design and implement safety programs and initiatives in a variety of industries and sectors.
• Ability to deliver training, auditing and consulting services to clients across broad range of industries and sectors.
• Strong relationship-building, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in program development, delivery of training, risk assessment, incident investigation, and regulatory liaison.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with regular travel to deliver services.
• Requirement to travel to client sites and industry events.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies outside of regular working hours when required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits.
• Professional development and certification support.
• Salary $87,771 - $108,837 based on skillset and experiences.

At Safety Services Nova Scotia we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), women, newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities. We believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences strengthens our work and our community.

To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to the [e-mail]

Only those shortlisted will be invited for interview.