Health and Safety Specialist

City of Kitchener; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kitchener is seeking a Health and Safety Specialist to ensure staff safety through expert advice on occupational health standards. This permanent full-time role requires a strong background in safety regulations and experience in safety management, with a focus on creating effective compliance strategies across various city departments.

Qualifications

• 2 years post-secondary education in a relevant field.
• 3 years related experience in health and safety.
• Canadian safety designations an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice on health and safety.
• Conducts workplace safety assessments and investigations.
• Develops compliance strategies and training materials.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

2 years post-secondary education in Occupational Health and Safety

Tools

Power BI

Excel

eLearning creation software

Job description

Health and Safety Specialist

Job Status: Permanent Full-Time

Pay & Grade: $74,334 to$92,918 Annually Grade:8

Hours of Work:35 hours per week

Initial location: Kitchener Operations Facility

Posting period:May 26, 2025 to June 9, 2025 (at 6:00 pm)

Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Corporate Health and Safety, the Health and Safety Specialist plays an integral role in ensuring staff safety remains a top priority for the City of Kitchener.

You will serve as a subject matter expert for all aspects related to occupational health and safety and are responsible for the provision of technical advice for all departments to support staff at all levels including interpretation of legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Subject matter expert on legislation, regulations, standards, best practices and trends regarding occupational health and safety.
• Interprets and advances alignment to legislation and best practices relating to workplace health and safety, health and safety management systems and standards.
• Provides support and advice in the development and implementation of strategies for compliance with legislation, continuous improvement of safety prevention using project management principles.
• Receives, reviews and conducts follow up on accident incident reports.
• Prepares reports for compliance notifications to the Ministry of Labour.
• Prepares metrics and reports related to inspection, incidents and Ministry of Labour activities.
• Conducts investigations, research, interpretation, analysis and communication of complex and sensitive information.
• Conducts and coordinates workplace safety risk assessments, for example ergonomic assessment, noise assessment and air quality assessment.
• Acts as primary contact, leading interactions with the Ministry of Labour and leading investigations that include significant risk or critical/fatal accident.
• Creates and deliverstraining materials and resources such as online learning, safety talks and communications.
• Provides support, training, facilitation and guidance to all City of Kitchener Joint Health and Safety Committees (7+) ,and Health and safety representatives (50+) including certifications, compliance required processes for inspection, meetings, records management, work stoppages, work refusals, and investigations.
• Responsible for researching, analyzing, writing, applying critical appraisal methods, performing technical reviews and providing advice or support to the Senior, Health and Safety Specialist.
• Consults and works collaboratively with corporate partners to provide customized strategic solutions and advice.

• Analysis of information requires thorough research, identification of good practices, integration of concepts, resolving issues regarding conflicting evidence, and synthesis of information.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2 years of post-secondary education in a field related to Occupational Health and Safety.
• 3 years related experience.
• A Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Canadian Registered Safety Technician(CRST) designation is an asset and must be eligible to achieve designation is considered an asset
• Previous experience in a unionized environment would be an asset.
• Experience in a setting with both industrial, office and construction workplaces would also be an asset.
• Ability to remain focused and calm in escalated situations, complex circumstances.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant workplace safety legislation including but not limited to the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Employment Standards Act, (ESA)Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA),Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and Municipal Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act(MFIPPA).
• Regulations, workplace safety standards, occupational health and safety management systems.
• Demonstrated analytical skills understanding data, research, best practice and evidence driven solutions.
• Extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Advanced ability to utilize software such as Power BI, Excel, eLearning creation software and incident accident reporting software.
• Must possess well developed oral and written communication skills and interpersonal/team skills to maintain effective relations with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information appropriately, treat sensitive situations with appropriate degree of tact and discretion.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure, with multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to travel to off-site meetings.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Department/Division:Corporate Services, Human Resources

Group:Non-Union/Management

Competition Number: 2025-183

Job Code: 0995

Number of positions: 1

Why work at the City of Kitchener