Safety Advisor

Municipality of the County of Inverness; Strathlorne; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Municipality of the County of Inverness is seeking a Safety Advisor to ensure compliance with safety practices at municipal worksites. This full-time role involves conducting audits, developing safety plans, and collaborating with various departments to foster a safe working environment. The ideal candidate will have relevant certifications and experience in safety management, with strong communication skills to engage effectively with staff and contractors.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in worksite safety, preferably in municipal or public works.
• Proficiency in health and safety management systems.
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular audits of municipal worksites for OHS compliance.
• Develop and implement site-specific safety plans.
• Liaise with regulatory agencies to ensure safety standards.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Decision Making

Risk Assessment

Safety Audits

Education

Certification in Occupational Health and Safety

National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) or Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SiteDocs

Job description

Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Operations Officer
Location: Port Hood/Strathlorne/Kenloch, NS
Position: Full-Time [40 hours per week]

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Municipality of the County of Inverness is seeking a self-motivated, responsible team player to fill the position of Safety Advisor. The Safety Advisor is responsible for auditing and advising on safety practices for municipal worksites, including but not limited to: Capital Planning & Projects, Public Works, and Operations (Solid Waste and Recycling) worksites. This position will provide onsite support to ensure compliance with legislated and municipal Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) acts, policies, regulations, and safe work practices. The Safety Advisor will assist with the review, development, and implementation of site-specific safety plans, conduct and review risk assessments, and liaise with contractors, field staff, and regulatory bodies to promote a culture of workplace safety.
This role will collaborate with the Occupational Heath and Safety Lead and the Chief Operations Officer to execute training plans, onsite inspection schedules, and program development. Providing onsite guidance to leadership, staff, and contractors will be a critical focal point of the position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Conduct regular audits of municipal worksites to ensure compliance with OHS legislation and municipal safety policies.
• Identify and mitigate safety hazards and non-compliance issues, providing corrective action recommendations, and confirming action items are tracked to closure.
• Liaise with the Department of Labour and Advanced Skills to ensure municipal work practices align with provincial and federal safety standards, as and when required.
• Support the OHS Lead with Certificate of Recognition (COR) certification and maintenance.
• Develop, review, and update site-specific safety plans in collaboration with municipal departments and contractors.
• Utilize SiteDocs & SharePoint, ensuring safety documentation is accurate, up to date, and accessible.
• Assist in developing and implementing traffic control plans for municipal worksites to ensure public and workplace safety.
• Conduct Job Hazard Assessments (JHAs) and Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs), providing guidance on risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify training needs and work with the OHS Lead to support the coordination of safety and skills training programs for municipal employees and contractors.
• Facilitate toolbox talks and safety meetings to promote awareness and compliance.
• Support the development of a proactive safety culture within municipal operations by promoting employee engagement and accountability.
• Provide advice on regulatory requirements and ensure contractor compliance with municipal safety policies, attending project planning meetings when required.
• Assist in communication between municipal departments, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Work closely with contractors and in-field staff to ensure safe work practices are being followed, and review risk assessments and site safety plans.
• Assist in the investigation of workplace incidents, near-misses, and property damage, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions.
• Maintain safety records, reports, and documentation in accordance with municipal and legislative requirements.
• Support emergency response planning and coordinate with relevant agencies during incident investigations.
• Respond to emergency situations outside of regular work hours from time to time, with the ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions.
• Field-based role with exposure to various worksites, including construction, waste management, and public works operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Strong understanding of relevant federal, provincial, and municipal legislation and regulations, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, with the ability to interpret and apply across varying operational departments with diverse needs.
• Experience conducting safety audits, developing risk assessments, and implementing site-specific safety plans.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with staff, contractors, the public, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent verbal and written skills, with organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Focus on continuous improvement with a passion for professional development.
• Ability to support the development and delivery of safety training programs.
• Self-motivated and capable of effective decision-making, on occasion in time sensitive situations.
• Work may involve exposure to outdoor conditions, odors, hazardous materials, and confined spaces.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with respect to all matters pertaining to the municipality.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Certification in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) or a related field.
• National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) or Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in worksite safety, preferably in municipal, public works, or construction environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, health and safety management systems, and SiteDocs.
• Experience working with trenching, construction, and confined space entry preferred.
• Traffic control planning certification preferred.
• Valid certification in First Aid, CPR, and emergency response preferred
• Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License (with a clean drivers abstract), with the ability to travel to various municipal worksites.

SAFETY:
• Ensure all policies and procedures set forth by the Municipality of the County of Inverness are always observed.
• Report all work situations which are suspected of being unhealthy or unsafe.
• Report any employee whose on-the-job performance or actions contravenes established safety procedures or work practices.
• Report all near-misses and incidents immediately.
• Report related injuries or property damage regardless of severity.
• Submit reports on accidents and other hazardous conditions discovered and promptly attend to all hazardous situations.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

At the Municipality of the County of Inverness, we are dedicated to building a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and communities to apply.