Area Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Forest Area Manager (FAM), the Area Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator (AOC) is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the implementation of the Forestry and Parks Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program within a designated geographic Area.

The AOC plays a central role in the Area’s health and safety operations, participating in—and often coordinating—all Area OHS committees. The position also contributes to the development and harmonization of the broader Forestry Division OHS program.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the development of the Area OHS plan in collaboration with Area staff.
• Conducting regular audits of OHS-related activities and measuring, evaluating, and reporting on program performance.
• Participating in field activities and conducting field-based observations to understand work practices, and to assess the effectiveness of safe work programs at the operational level.
• Providing and coordinating OHS training sessions and conducting safety audits and inspections to ensure compliance with legislation and policy requirements.
• Managing OHS database systems and offering expert OHS advice and information to internal stakeholders.
• Playing a key role in hazard management and incident investigations, and developing recommendations on safety measures, systems, and practices—both general and specialized.
• Contributing to the development of processes, procedures, and supporting tools related to the implementation of the Government of Alberta (GOA) OHS program within the Forestry Division.
• Evaluating the implementation and maintenance of the Area OHS program in alignment with the GOA Occupational Health and Safety Program, and ensuring consistency with branch, divisional, ministry, and GOA OHS plans.

This role is instrumental in maintaining and enhancing a strong safety culture within the Forestry Division, ensuring that safe work practices are not only followed but continuously improved through rigorous evaluation and collaboration.

Join us in making a difference and protecting our forests and communities for future generations.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

Creative Problem Solving: Anticipates, assess, and readily adapts to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Build Collaborative Environments: Takes a collaborative approach with your work to foster open communication and leverage team skills.

Agility: Identifies alternative approaches in uncertain, complex situations, supporting others in determining and assessing strategy.

Systems Thinking:  Considers the changing environment, recognizing the work impacting a vast network of stakeholders. 

Develop Self and Others:  Aims to learn from experiences, shift, and keep current with our skills and knowledge to remain competitive.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

• Completion of a two-year Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, along with a minimum of four (4) years of experience in a health and safety coordinating role within a large organization that has complex, multi-faceted field operations;
  OR
• A relevant degree combined with at least two (2) years of related OHS experience;
  OR
• OHS Practitioner Certification with a minimum of five (5) years of directly related experience in the field.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Additional Requirements:

• Understanding of OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes;
• Understanding of GOA Occupational Health and Safety program and safety program training components;
• Understanding of Certificate of Recognition audit process (CoR auditor certification preferred);
• Understanding of Incident investigation techniques and processes;
• Understanding of Safety management systems for multi-disciplined work areas;

Assets:

• Understanding of FIT test certification for respirators;
• Understanding of National Safety Code;
• Understanding of Various health and safety hazards (e.g. chemical/occupational hygiene, ergonomic hazards, hazards associated with a variety of materials/equipment);
• Understanding of Project management methodologies, practices and processes.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This position is a permanent, full-time role, with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday. The incumbent may be requested to work overtime, evening and weekends due to the emergency nature of wildfires.

Travel within the area and throughout the province will be required as part of your responsibilities to coordinate with Ministry staff and colleagues, other government departments, clients, and other external stakeholders.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment as a part of the interview process.

Application Information:

• In your application, please include a cover page detailing your interest, and role related experience.
• In your resume, include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
• Three (3) work-related references are required for those selected for an interview.

Other items may include:

• 55th to 57th parallels retention allowance.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.