Health and Safety Inspector

New Zealand Government; Timaru; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free life insurance

Home workstation setup contribution

Health insurance discounts

Five weeks annual leave

Learning and professional development

Recognition framework

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand invites applications for a Trainee Health and Safety Inspector role based in Timaru, with training leading to Inspector powers. The position involves site visits, investigations, and reporting within a diverse regional context.

You will travel regularly, engage with stakeholders, and build capability in health and safety practices, while developing your expertise and career within a supportive Christchurch-based training framework.

Qualifications

• Be NZ/Australian citizen or NZ Permanent Resident/Resident.
• Have a full, clean driver licence.
• Strong communication and collaboration; ability to build relationships.
• Cultural awareness and willingness to develop te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.

Responsibilities

• Inspectors perform site visits, compile reports and investigate incidents.
• Travel across locations within the region and sometimes overnight.
• Build rapport with stakeholders and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Collaborative teamwork

Stakeholder engagement

Multilingual communication

Problem solving

Te reo Māori awareness

Job description

Make a positive difference to the health, safety and wellbeing of all AotearoaThe Frontline Inspector role is dynamic, with no two days the sameWorkSafe is investing in growing this teamBecome a Health and Safety Inspector and help influence our community to ensure everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe.About us - Mo tatouWhat is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is peopleHe aha te mea nui o tenei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Malo e lelei, Talofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Malo ni, Kia orana, n ho, Kamusta.WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, is the primary workplace health and safety regulator - our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. Our kaimahi are passionate about our vision and embrace and demonstrate our Matapono WorkSafe Values through the mahi they do:Whakakotahi - we're united in a strong purposeKorero mai - we engage meaningfullyTiakina mai - we're entrusted with a duty of careAbout your team - Ko te timaThe Inspectorate at WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru plays a critical role in workplace health and safety. The Inspectorate's overall goal is to prevent workplace harm, promote a culture of health and safety, and hold organisations accountable for maintaining healthy and safe working conditions.Guided by evidence about acute, chronic, and catastrophic harm, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru prioritise high-risk sectors and high-risk activities. Across these priority areas, WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru deliver enforcement, engagement and permitting activities to maximise our influence and achieve better, more equitable outcomes.The Timaru Inspectorate team is a small, close-knit group that forms part of the wider Canterbury Team. While based in Timaru, the Canterbury team covers a vast and diverse geographical area, stretching from south of Kaikoura and Greymouth through to Pukeuri Junction in the east and Haast on the West Coast.The Timaru office primarily focuses on the stunning South Canterbury, Mackenzie, and Waimate districts. From expansive coastline and productive farmland to alpine environments and growing urban centres, this region offers an incredibly varied working environment. Your day could start with a visit to a manufacturing site near the coast and finish engaging with agricultural or forestry businesses against the backdrop of the Southern Alps.During your training period, you'll be supported by our experienced Christchurch-based Inspectorate team. You will be required to drive to our Christchurch office on a regular basis. You will be flexible and comfortable with overnight stays.About the role - O te turangaYou start your journey as a Trainee Health and Safety Inspector and will progress your way through a series of in-house training courses, on the job experience and coaching until you obtain a Certificate of Appointment giving you powers as an Inspector. As your career as an Inspector continues, you will continuously build your skills and knowledge to become a highly competent Inspector.As a Health and Safety Inspector, you can expect that no two days will be the same! Inspectors complete a range of mahi. This could be a site visit completing an assessment, compiling reports, or investigating an accident. The work is varied and interesting, but at times can be challenging due to the nature of the role as you may be exposed to traumatic events, files, photos and statements.You will enjoy being out and about, with driving being a regular part of the role. You will also be flexible and comfortable with overnight stays when the role requires you to travel within your region or further afield.You will love building rapport with stakeholders and have a natural ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. The conversations may not always be easy, but you will remain calm under pressure and be able to appreciate the viewpoints and perspectives of others. You will assess all the information and risks to identify the best outcome. In doing so, you will work towards achieving a common goal of ensuring that all New Zealander's that go to work come home healthy and safe.What you will bring - Ko nga pukenga ouThe ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt when situations changeStrong communication and collaboration, with the ability to build relationshipsAbility to communicate in additional languages is highly regardedThe ability to use a range of methods to communicate, both written and verbalProven experience in problem-solvingCultural awareness and a willingness to build your understanding and skill in te reo and tikanga MaoriThe ability to plan and prioritise tasks effectively to achieve resultsBe a NZ/Australian citizen or NZ Permanent Resident/ResidentHave a full, clean driver licenceConfident in using various forms of technologyAble to work across locationsOnce you are experienced and are a qualified Inspector, you may be required to be on the on-call roster.With your food basket and my food basket the people will thriveNau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.The full position description is available from the advert on our careers centre: WorkSafe New ZealandSalary range - Awhe utuAs part of our remuneration framework, the starting annual salary for this role is $84,956. Once you have satisfied the requirements and successfully completed the Inspector Foundation Development Programme and are appointed to Inspector I level, the annual salary is increased to $87,562. Note: KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contribution is additional to/on top of your base salary.We offer a range of benefits including:Free life insurance for the duration of your employment$400 contribution towards setting up your home workstationDiscounts on health insurance and eye careFive weeks annual leave15 days sick leave andLearning and professional development opportunitiesA Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make - your mahi mattersThere are a growing number of employee led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities, such as our Rainbow Network, Pacific Network, Wahine / Women's Network, and Tu Rangatira Maori Network.How to apply - Me pehea te tonoClick the apply link, complete the application form and submit a copy of your CV and cover letter.AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.Applications close on 18 October 2026 - Ka kati nga tono 18 Oketopa 2026All key dates can be found here Join our health and safety inspectors | WorkSafe