Job Description

This position is a new position. The Municipality uses an online questionnaire to screen candidates.

Position: Health and Safety Specialist

Salary: $94,876.60 to $110,965.40 (2026 rates)

Reports to: Executive Director – Human Resources
Purpose of Position:
Reporting to the Executive Director – Human Resources, the Health and Safety Specialist is responsible for developing, standardizing, and monitoring corporate health and safety programs across all municipal service areas. This role ensures due diligence and regulatory compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) and serves as the primary liaison with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). This position is responsible for protecting the Municipality’s workforce and community assets by identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards and will enforce municipal standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensure contractor safety compliance, and minimize WSIB liabilities through effective early and safe return-to-work management.

Qualifications & Experience:
• Degree or diploma in Human Kinetics, Ergonomics, Healthy and Safety, Health Sciences or Industrial Hygiene or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5 years working within the health and safety capacity
• Municipal experience is an asset
• CRSP (Canadian Registered Safety Professional) designation an asset or willingness to attain
• Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification
• Additional courses in health and safety and certification in First Aid/CPR/Defibrillator is an asset
• Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
• Must hold and maintain a current valid and lawful driver’s license in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act and provide a clear driver’s abstract as a condition of employment
• Clear police clearance certificate
Knowledge & Skills:
• Must have a working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, associated regulations, standards, codes and guidelines;
• Familiarity with the Ontario Fire and Building Codes will be considered an asset
• Proficient time management skills and flexibility in adjusting between a variety of duties
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, problem-solving, reading, oral and written communication, planning, time management and organizational skills including presentation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Major Responsibilities:
• Advise and assist the Municipality in its efforts to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of its workers; will advise and assist the Municipality in complying with legislated obligations as they pertain to occupational health and safety
• Facilitate, coordinate and maintain an effective health and safety program including development, implementation and maintenance of health and safety policies, safe operating procedures, training programs, hazard assessments, physical demands analysis, ergonomic assessments, etc.
• Provide feedback, information and recommendations for draft policies and procedures as they relate to Health and Safety
• Perform safety audits and hazard assessments include site audits, workplace violence risk assessments, occupational hygiene testing, protective equipment assessments, job hazard analyses and working alone assessments
• Oversee joint health and safety committees for different locations; participate in joint health and safety committee meetings and site inspections; assist with implementing actions/recommendations
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Participate in the development and implementation of emergency response plans and procedures, including evacuation protocols, first aid training and crisis management
• Liaise with external agencies on behalf of the Municipality such as the MLITSD, WSIB, TSSA, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, and Emergency Services Personnel.
• Research and stay current with health and safety industry trends; identify opportunities to be innovative in program development and deliver
• Provide support for applicable divisions in the maintenance of the MSDS inventory system
• Process complaints regarding harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, or violence in the workplace and assist in any necessary investigations both internal and external
• Assist in orientation for all new employees
• Maintain human resources information systems and other records
• Provide guidance to management staff in the consistent application and interpretation of the IBEW and CUPE collective bargaining agreements
• Ensure confidentiality of employee and corporate information
• Promote and foster a culture of health and safety awareness and accountability
• Other duties as assigned
Decision Making & Judgement:
• Work is performed under the general direction of the Executive Director – Human Resources
• Must be familiar with municipal policies, procedures, by-laws and regulations affecting the municipality.
• Able to work independently and be self-motivated.
• Exercise influence in operational matters
Interaction Level:
Interpersonal skills to liaise with management, fellow employees and the public in a friendly and co-operative manner. Must be a team player.

Internal:
• With all levels of management and staff

External
• With regional Health and Safety / Human Resources Professionals and with various government agencies
Physical & Mental Effort:
• Sitting, standing, walking, lifting under 10 lbs
Working Conditions:
Environment
• Works within an office environment.
• May be subject to adverse behaviour when communicating with the general public or others
• Some travel may be required.

Control over Work Schedule
• with office hours being 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (35 hours per week)
• Work is subject to deadlines and may be required to work overtime to accommodate different departmental schedules.
Core Competencies:
Hazard assessment Communication Interviewing
Problem Solving Confidentiality Customer Service
Networking Tact & Discretion Analytical
Teamwork Organizational Employee relations
Building Relationships Conflict Resolution