IDENTIFICATION Department Workers Safety and Compensation Commission Position Title Employee Safety Officer Position Number(s) Community(s) Division/Region(s) 97-9896 Yellowknife Corporate Services PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The Employee Safety Officer provides multi-dimensional services to the management and staff of the Workers Safety & Compensation Commission (WSCC). The incumbent develops and maintains the WSCC Safety Program, Business Continuity Management Program, and the WSCC Return to Work Program as part of the Human Resources Talent Management Strategy and the initiatives that derive from it. SCOPE The Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) is a Crown Corporation of the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, directed by a Governance Council through the President & CEO. The WSCC operates from headquarters in Yellowknife, and regional operations in Iqaluit and Inuvik. The WSCC promotes safe work places through education and prevention, and cares for injured workers through a system of no-fault compensation. The Workers Compensation Acts of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut govern the system, funded through the collection of assessments from employers. The Human Resource unit is responsible to deliver services and programs to managers in the areas of recruitment, labour relations, job evaluation, human resources planning, employee training and development. The unit also provides internal workplace health and safety programs; compensation and benefits services; and manages the Business Continuity Management Program. The safety responsibilities of this position directly contribute to the WSCC s vision, mission, and values by promoting worker safety through education, awareness, compliance and enforcement. Advancing the safety culture of the organization by providing technical and safety legislative advice to stakeholders is an essential responsibility of the position. May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 1 of 6
Updating the WSCC Safety Program is essential in ensuring employees are following the most up to date industry accepted practices. The WSCC Business Continuity Program increases the organization s resilience and ensures critical functions and day to day business continues in the event of a disaster. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating all aspects of this program in order to modify the consequences of an interruption to a level acceptable to management. Reporting to the Manager, Human Resources, the incumbent must develop effective working relationships with all levels of employees within the WSCC and perform the duties of the position with discretion, tact, and diplomacy. The incumbent is also responsible to develop and maintain contacts with external safety consultants and training providers. The Employee Safety Officer formulates and recommends procedures and guidelines for the safety training and development of WSCC employees. The incumbent evaluates safety training and development needs in consultation with the Leadership Team and Senior Management Team (SMT). The incumbent s work supports the creation of a capable, safe and skilled workforce that provides internal and external services focusing on excellent stakeholder services. This position has a signing authority of $5,000. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provides leadership and technical support by implementing and maintaining the WSCC s Safety Program. Develops and recommends proactive health and safety strategies through consultation with the Leadership team and SMT; including the drafting and implementation of safety policies, procedures, and guidelines. Identifies emerging health and safety trends in workplace and uses this information to design and modify the WSCC Safety Program. Develops programs to enhance workplace health and safety awareness. Provides advice and guidance to all levels of management on the interpretation, implementation, and administration of the WSCC Safety Program. Develops strategies for preventative and corrective action by collecting and analyzing statistical information on hazards, near misses, injuries, and property damage/loss. Collaborates with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee and provides guidance and direction to help ensure their effectiveness and compliance with legislation, the UNW Collective Agreement and the OH&S Committee Terms of Reference. Collaborates with the OH&S Committee in the investigation of safety complaints. Conducts incident investigations as required. Develops and maintains the WSCC Safety Orientation/Onboarding Program. May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 2 of 6
Recommends corrective action to be taken with respect to health and safety deficiencies which is consistent and in compliance with legislative requirements, WSCC policies, and industry best practices and standards. Conducts audits of the Safety Program. Deliver safety training to internal stakeholders, including monthly tailgate presentations to all WSCC employees. 2. Coordinates the implementation and updates of the Business Continuity Management Program. Assists with the review of the Business Continuity Management Program, and provides regular status updates to the Manager, Human Resources. Assesses the business continuity implications of organizational changes, and assists with any revisions to existing business continuity plans or procedures. Schedules routine updates to the detailed information supporting the Business Continuity Management Plan (e.g. contact lists, personnel assignments, hardware and software specifications, network diagrams and vital records). Ensures all personnel with specific business continuity responsibilities are adequately trained to fulfill their responsibilities and that all employees are familiar with the relevant provisions of the Business Continuity Management Plan. Ensures that all technical components of the Business Continuity Management Plan are successfully tested at least annually, or whenever significant changes are made to those components. Provides 24/7 support for any emergency that may require activation of all or part of the Business Continuity Management Plans. 3. Guides WSCC Leadership Team in implementing the Return to Work Program. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the return to work program; and make continuous improvements to the Return to Work program. Assists supervisors to explain the purpose and processes of the Return to Work program to the employee. Provides supervisors and/or employees with the information necessary to obtain required functional abilities information. Assists the Return to Work Committee in the creation of an individual plan based on the functional abilities information and monitor the plan. Provides the individual return to work plan to the WSCC Claims representative when necessary. 4. Assists to develop The HR Talent Management Strategy by providing guidance on safety initiatives, Business Continuity, and the WSCC Return to Work Program. Provides information and analysis that contributes to the WSCC s Talent Management Strategy. May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 3 of 6
Provides specialist advice on safety requirements, Business Continuity best practice, and the WSCC Return to Work Program. Develop strategies for preventative and corrective action by collecting and analyzing statistical information relating to occupational health and safety. 5. Assist with and actively participate in a variety of internal HR activities to promote the WSCC s vision, mission, values, safety culture and HR Talent Management Strategy. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of, and ability to apply, best practices in occupational health and safety. Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining safety programs. Demonstrated skills in developing, delivering and evaluating curriculum related to safety. Knowledge of Acts, Regulations, and other legislation and procedures applicable to human resource management and occupational health and safety. Proven understanding of the WSCC s organization, environment, culture, and business strategies with the ability to understand, recognize and/or anticipate concerns or problems. Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with senior managers, technical staff, and other employees. Ability to make sound recommendations and decisions. Proven client service orientation. Excellent interpersonal skills, including discretion, tact and diplomacy. Organizational and time management skills. Strategic-thinking and judgment skills. Analytical and research skills. Strong presentation skills. Ability to use a variety of computer applications including word processing, spread sheets, and presentation software. Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: A related Bachelor s degree, with three years experience in Occupational Health and Safety. Certification in business continuity is an asset. May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 4 of 6
WORKING CONDITIONS (Working Conditions identify the unusual and unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent.) Physical Demands As normally required in an office environment. Environmental Conditions As normally required in an office environment. Sensory Demands As normally required in an office environment. Mental Demands Unpleasant direct personal contacts or concern about unpleasant situations, as this position requires to make critical decision that affects the health and safety of others. Position Security (check one) No criminal records check required X Position of Trust criminal records check required Highly sensitive position requires verification of identity and a criminal records check Official Language Considerations (check one) X Not required - The ability to communicate in an official language of the Northwest Territories, in addition to English, is an asset. Bilingual required (state language): May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 5 of 6
CERTIFICATION Title: Employee Safety Officer Position Number(s): 97-9896 Employee Signature Supervisor Signature Printed Name Printed Name I certify that I have read and understand the responsibilities assigned to this position. I certify that this job description is an accurate description of the responsibilities assigned to the position. Senior Manager President & CEO I approve the delegation of the responsibilities outlined herein within the context of the attached organizational structure. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbents of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of this position. Reviewed by Human Resources: May 1, 2015 WSCC Job Description Page 6 of 6