Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To serve as professional, subject matter experts in implementing enterprise health, safety and wellness (HSW) programs and events in developing project plans and implementation strategies ensuring ongoing monitoring, evaluation and report back to management. Provide subject matter expertise
in determining ministry needs, maintaining a focus on injury and illness prevention, identifying options and recommending solutions to MGS and client portfolio management.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Leads or participates in the implementation of Centre for Employee Health, Safety and Wellness' comprehensive OH&S programs and services across the province within assigned portfolio of ministries including the implementation of corporate programs, policies and legislative changes. Provide
subject matter expertise in the interpretation and application of legislation, collective agreements, government directives and policy to senior management, HR business unit managers, employee representatives, health and safety advisors as well as support to the Internal Responsibility System (i.e. Joint Health & Safety Committees) to support consistency in focus on health and safety across the OPS. Acts as a subject matter expert for the assigned portfolio of ministries across the province and support the health and safety advisors in resolving escalated OH&S issues and liaising with the HR strategic business units on broad ministry-wide operational and policy impact issues (e.g. legislative amendments, protective equipment, working alone policies); Researches and gathers intelligence, reviews ministry's health and safety statistics as available, identifies health and safety trends, conducts analysis and assists ministries through HSAs to ensure broad-based compliance with health and safety related legislation and government's corporate directions.

2. Provide HSAs across the province with technical advice/expertise support related to H&S within portfolio ministries. Provides information to HSAs related to internal branch processes within the Centre; monitors business processes/workflow and advises manager of deficiencies in effectiveness and
efficiency, making recommendations and leading projects to improve processes/program delivery. Reviews data quality for reporting; identifies contentious service issues and provides advice to HSAs or escalates to manager, Engages Strategic Initiatives Section for interpretation of complex/specialized HSW matters and/or specialized subject matter expertise relating to workplace hazards (eg. ergonomic ,industrial and chemical hazards, air quality etc.) as needed to support HSAs/ministries in portfolio.

3. Supports the Strategic Initiatives Section in program development through joint consultations, identification of implementation options and issues, and coordinates and develops project implementation plans and timetables as required for HSS; analyzes and evaluates broad legislative and central agency policy, programs and initiatives. Recommends the development of operating procedures, guidelines, best practices, business processes, benchmarks, performance indicators and other tools to enhance the effectiveness of program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and
respond to a broad range of existing and emerging operational needs. Consults with team members to discuss and review project status, deliverables and timelines to identify risks to project completion and/or deliverables.

4. Prepares detailed oral and/or written reports, briefing materials and provides timely and expert briefings and presentations to manager and senior program management regarding high profile and sensitive service delivery and procedural issues, proposals and submissions, identifying potential
areas/issues impacting on program achievement, and formulating options and recommendations to support overall program strategies, prepares and presents quarterly report to manager with recommendations for next steps.

5. Promotes effective coordination with other corporate program areas (e.g. Strategic and Regional Business Units, within the Branch, enterprise ER/LR) regarding the delivery of learning programs (eg., management foundations) and management of corporate and ministry OH&S issues in order to
facilitate overall enterprise-wide corporate management and effective client service (e.g. provides health and safety services for OH&S grievances and issues, such as work refusals and preparation of appeal documents, in consultation with enterprise ER/LR, ensuring the government's position is
technically accurate and effectively positioned and represented).

6. Provides support for planning and program activities related to contingency planning including collecting and performing analysis of data relating to labour disruptions, assisting in the development of service delivery plans and participating on emergency management/strike response teams as
required, including input to decisions regarding the allocation of staff to work areas. Responds to, and deals with work refusals and emergency management situations on a 24/7 response basis as directed by manager.

7. Liaises with other areas, agencies and stakeholders (e.g. safety associations) to initiate, influence or suggest alterations to proposed programs, processes or legislation and discuss common OH&S issues. Conducts environmental scans, prepares and analyzes data/reports related to the effectiveness of health and safety programs, assesses key indicators, conducts comparative studies and identifies and recommends appropriate program strategies.

Position requires frequent travel across province.

Knowledge :

Thorough knowledge of current health and safety theories, principles, techniques, OPS policies, directives, guidelines and federal and provincial legislation (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers' Safety & Insurance Act, OPS OHS and Workplace Violence Policies), accident prevention, health hazards safety and infection control principles (e.g. safety, ergonomics, occupational health, etc.) and risk management techniques to conduct workplace audits, assess hazards, respond to complex health and safety issues and provide specialist advice/recommendations to management, employees or bargaining agents. Knowledge of OPS collective agreements and related legislation (e.g. CECBA, OLRA) to coordinate and provide advice and guidance for the resolution of grievances and other issues involving OH&S matters. Knowledge of OH&S issues and trends and developments in other areas to influence or suggest alterations to proposed programs and processes and respond effectively to work refusals, MOL Orders, OHSA Section 50 reprisal complaints and MOL Order Appeals. Knowledge of research and analytical methods, tools and highly developed project management, research and evaluation skills to lead or participate on project teams to identify and investigate legislative, policy and program implementation issues and develop strategies, initiatives and solutions to support program delivery and measure effectiveness and legislative/program compliance. Strong analytical skills to identify/resolve hazardous conditions, conduct analysis, consolidate findings and develop/interpret conclusions for program application. Planning and organizational skills to plan and coordinate work priorities within operational and legislative deadlines.

Strong consultation, negotiation, interpersonal and communication skills to provide expert advice on sensitive and confidential legislative, corporate OH&S policy, program and related issues; develop, interpret and present reports, recommendations and proposed guidelines/best practices; draft procedures, briefing notes, reports and educational materials; and, represent ministry interests/discuss trends/developments with program management and other agencies. Computer proficiency and knowledge of software applications to prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials and complex research materials.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Manager, Health and Safety Services and within the framework of OPS policies, legislative authorities and collective agreements related to OH&S. Judgement is used to identify and analyze OH&S issues, interpret and apply current and proposed legislation, standards and guidelines and develop and recommend practical, workable, understandable and effective operational approaches, standards, processes and guidelines to meet the needs of regional/ministry staff and the unique conditions of the area. Judgement is required in analyzing and dealing with work refusals and emergency situations on a 24/7 response basis to ensure staff safety and the least disruption to ministry operations. Judgement is required to evaluate work and safety procedures and equipment, investigate OH&S incidents, resolve contentious issues/ situations assess degree of hazard/risk to staff and determine impacts on staff and management operational requirements. Judgement is used in determining the most effective means of minimizing risks and ensuring due diligence on the part of the organization. Judgement is required in determining and coordinating a proper course of action and making recommendations to management from a variety of options in order to ensure a viable and practical OH&S program. Judgement is required in researching and analyzing sensitive information, complaints, orders, decisions and directives from central/regulatory agencies to identify trends and recommend solutions that support organizational objectives.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for the quality of analysis and consulting services and the effectiveness of recommendations for program standards, guidelines and program management strategies to enhance OH&S program delivery across the province to support program efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Leads/coordinates teams of HSAs in the delivery of HSW programs, events, training initiatives to support consistent and effective support to portfolio of ministries.

Accountability – Personnel :

Provides technical health and safety expertise advice to ministry managers and support to Health and Safety Advisors. Participates on assigned project/work teams for the review, development and implementation of program policies, procedures and processes in support of unit or ministry
program delivery.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Advice and recommendations on project initiatives may affect achievement of business results. Provides input to project resource estimates and managing budget expenditures for assigned projects. Undertakes procurement for projects requiring external vendor support, and manages service
provider contracts, as required.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Poorly conceived analysis and recommendations could lead to increased frequency and/or severity of accidents or injuries to employees, financial and operational costs to the organization through WSIB awards, grievances, MOL orders/charges/fines and loss of productivity. Ineffective recommendations for program strategies, processes and tools for implementing corporate directions and inaccurate advice could result in process inefficiencies, legislative non-compliance, loss of program credibility and a compromised health and safety function. Poor coordination of activities across regions within assigned portfolio of ministries will result in inconsistent implementation of branch or ministry programs/priorities.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with section/branch staff and other HR business units to provide expertise on health and safety issues, consult on joint issues (e.g. grievances) and to develop and implement solutions for programs, policies, standards and legislative amendments appropriate to ministry requirements. Regular contact with other colleagues at ministry SBUs to discuss legislation/regulations, requirements, obtain/ exchange information on issues of common concern, including consultation on technical, administrative and legal aspects of health and safety programs, and participate on OPS wide strategic health and safety initiatives.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with other agencies, safety associations, educators and experts in the field to discuss educational programs and obtain information on new procedures, processes and equipment. Frequent contact with union representatives to discuss specific cases and provide information.