Health & Safety Specialist

About Hay River:

Hay River, known as the “Hub of the North,” is a vibrant community of about 3,200 people nestled on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Surrounded by boreal forests, pristine beaches, and powerful waterfalls like Alexandra Falls - you’ll find a year-round outdoor paradise. In summer, residents enjoy sandy shores, northern lights, boating, and world-class fishing;

in winter, there is snowshoe along the river, ice-fish, and dogsledding under vivid auroras.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Protective Services, the position ensures Town of Hay River workplaces are safe and healthy for employees, contractors, and the public.

The Health & Safety Specialist manages the continual improvement of the Health & Safety Management System (HSMS), developing and enhancing system documents to enable continued compliance with health & safety legislation, codes, standards, and best practice.

This position provides all staff with coaching, assistance, and support with HSMS implementation and compliance. It supports workers in hazard identification and risk assessments across municipal operations and works to develop safety leaders throughout the organization and foster a growing culture of safety.

The Health & Safety Specialist schedules, facilitates, and tracks health & safety training as well as manages health & safety records, statistics, and reporting (both internal and regulatory) to ensure sustained compliance and continual improvement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES.

Health & Safety Management System (HSMS) Development. This includes but is not limited to:

• Consults with subject matter experts to develop and enhance HSMS documents (i.e., elements, policies, procedures, practices, forms, training programs).
• Ensures the HSMS remains in continued compliance with applicable Federal and Territorial legislation, WSCC requirements, codes, standards, and best practices.

Training. This includes but is not limited to:

• Works with management to schedule required health & safety training.
• Develops, or sources health & safety training.

HSMS Implementation. This includes but is not limited to:

• Provides management and workers with coaching, assistance, and support with HSMS implementation (e.g., hazard assessment and risk control, inspections, incident investigations, health & safety meetings), helping them to understand, comply with, and benefit from the HSMS.
• Attends Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee meetings to provide updates, guidance, and support.
• Works continuously to improve organizational safety culture and performance.

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment & Controls. This includes but is not limited to:

• Supports workers in the identification of hazards and the conducting of risk assessments. Reviews completed hazard assessments for effectiveness.
• Ensures monthly inspections are done and actionable items completed by conducting audits and inspections as required.
• Administers contractor safety management: orientation, and monitoring.

Incidents Response, Reporting and Investigation. This includes but is not limited to:

• Leads incident/near-miss investigations using root cause methods. Meets WSCC reporting requirements and maintains records and trend analyses.
• Follows up with management to ensure completion of corrective actions.

Records Management. This includes but is not limited to:

• Ensures proper completion of required health & safety documentation.
• Maintains health & safety records.
• Produces monthly health & safety statistics reports.
• Tracks required health & safety training, generates training reports.

Regulator Relations. This includes but is not limited to:

• Acts as the Town of Hay River’s primary contact with the regulator (the Workers’ Safety & Compensation…