Manager, Environmental Health & Safety

OCAD University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

OCAD University is seeking a Manager for Environmental Health & Safety. This role involves providing guidance on health and safety legislation, overseeing safety initiatives, and coordinating responses to emergencies. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, managerial experience, and strong communication skills. This position supports a vibrant community focused on equity and sustainability.

Benefits

Benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in workplace safety.
• Three years of managerial experience in a health & safety role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee safety initiatives and projects.
• Lead and supervise the Health & Safety Coordinator.
• Manage the implementation of health and safety programs.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Organization

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Initiative

Education

Post-secondary degree in Occupational Health & Safety

Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create.

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning, teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

Reporting to the Director, Safety, Security & Campus Operations (SS&CO), the Manager, Environmental Health & Safety provides the OCAD University (OCAD U) community with guidance and leadership in the interpretation, application and administration of Ontario Occupational Health, Safety and Environment legislation standards, Toronto Public Health, Public Health Ontario practices, Ministry of Labour standards, Health & Safety Critical Incident Management and University directives, policies and procedures. The Manager is responsible for the development and maintenance of all health and safety programs related to the work and learning environment.

The Manager also provides leadership, advice and coordination of the University’s response to widespread emergency situations (i.e. pandemic, etc.) and ongoing coordination with municipal and city officials as required.

Summary Of Responsibilities

1. In consultation with the Director, SS&CO, develop and oversee safety initiatives and projects, including delegating health and safety projects to the Health & Safety Coordinators, and conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure progress and completion.
2. Lead and supervise the Health & Safety Coordinator and other staffing supports (coop students and student monitors), including setting goals, monitoring performance and outcomes, coaching and supporting professional development.
3. Review and monitor the status of various health & safety governing bodies, such as Toronto Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), to implement changes and protocols that support the University’s response to an emergency scenario that allows for a continuation of regular operations.
4. Maintain a high level of security clearance and access to confidential information that is necessary for the ongoing response and operation to the environmental health & safety department.
5. Initiate and lead the Management Group Working Group that would support the University's response to a widespread emergency situation.
6. Attend construction meetings and make recommendations on current and upcoming construction projects as it relates to the Occupational Health & Safety Act and regulation compliance, and work closely with Campus Planning and Projects department.
7. Work in collaboration with the Manager, Safety & Security Services and Manager, Campus Operations to achieve department goals and support department group initiatives. Provide direction on legislative standards that need to be considered operationally.
8. Manage the implementation, design, and maintenance of the University’s health and safety programs (e.g., Hazardous Materials Management, Hearing Conservation, Medical Monitoring, First Aid and CPR, air quality assessments, hazardous waste management and training) to maintain safe work practices in all departments and meet health and safety legislative requirements.
9. Manage and ensure that co-Chairs of the Joint Health & Safety Committee are meeting legislative requirements for the committee action items, including conducting regular workplace inspections to identify workplace hazards, developing and maintaining safety supplies inventories for the campus, etc.
10. Develop and maintain a safety training program that adheres to industry standards for the variety of workplaces at the institution. This includes but is not limited to office spaces, studios, classrooms and maintenance areas.
11. Working directly with the Director, SS&CO, initiate and conduct research on health and safety, emergency preparedness and pandemic response plans and issues.
12. Review and create new and revised University policies, procedures, work methods and standards regarding health and safety related matters.
13. Generate monthly air-quality testing reports for the Director, SS&CO and Vice-President, Finance & Administration.
14. Coordinate and provide environmental health and safety consultation and guidance to the OCAD U community.
15. Conduct safety and environmental audits, surveys, inspections, ergonomic assessments, and analysis of work facilities, equipment, practices and methods, noting loss experience/potential and corrective actions required; liaise with People & Culture in relation to ergonomic assessments and provide recommendations as required.
16. Act as the lead respondent and provide leadership in the conducting of accident/incident/critical and work refusal investigations. Assign work related to the incident to the Health & Safety Coordinator and other supervisory staff related to the investigation.
17. Review, update and approve the University’s Chemical Management Program, including the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) (i.e., material safety data sheets, workplace labels, training, etc.).
18. Represent the University when meeting external representatives (i.e. Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment, Public Services Health & Safety Association, Workers Health & Safety Centre etc.).
19. Initiate and/or participate in special projects or committees as assigned by the Director, SS&CO.
20. Assist the Director, SS&CO in other related activities contributing to the successful operation of the SS&CO office.
21. Work with internal resources in the hiring process for coop students, H&S coordinator and student monitors ongoing and as necessary for the needs of the department.

Qualifications

1. Post-secondary degree specializing in any of the following disciplines: Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or another related field
2. Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification, or eligible to apply within 2-3 years is required
3. A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in the development and delivery of workplace safety and health initiatives and programs in an industrial or corporate setting, with a minimum of three (3) years of managerial experience in a health & safety role, including supervisory experience ideally in a unionized environment
4. Practical knowledge of safety management system principles, industry best practices and standards, health and safety legislation, and its application within a unionized environment in the implementation and sustainability of safety programs in an educational setting
5. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organization skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through
6. Strong computer skills, with a knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel
7. Ability to meet deadlines and work effectively under the pressure of high volume and changing priorities
8. Proven track record of discretion, maintaining highly confidential information, and strong customer service
9. Ability to take initiative and work both independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment
10. Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty

Mode of Work:

Hybrid Model.

Compensation:

Commensurate with experience, plus benefits.

Hours of Work

Total of 35 hours per week.

Application Deadline:

Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below, no later than Friday May 30, 2025.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Name your file: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.