Director, HRHSE Health, Safety and Environment

Competition 837

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package that can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location -  Work primarily takes place at North Campus and Enterprise Square, Edmonton

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Human Resources, Health Safety and Environment

The Human Resources, Health Safety and Environment (HRHSE) portfolio is composed of exceptional people creating a people focused culture to support the institution's vision. We lead with purpose, to create a workplace culture that supports the institution in strengthening its core teaching, research, community engagement, and student enrichment experience.

HRHSE is a values-based portfolio; we incorporate our values of trust, accountability, relationship building and safety in everything we do.

In HRHSE, we are made up of six teams that are responsible for providing the highest quality services to our campus community; Total Rewards, Talent Management, Organizational Development, Health, Safety and Environment, Employee and Labour Relations and HR Service Partnerships.

Join our practical, results-driven, energized, and engaged team and see firsthand how we live our values, drive change and lead with purpose!

Working as the Director of Health, Safety and Environment

The Director of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) will provide leadership, knowledge and guidance towards creating a culture of enterprise risk management and compliance to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for students, faculty, staff, the general public, contractors and suppliers. This will be achieved through working in partnership with a diverse group of individuals and departments, and by operating within the required regulatory and compliance frameworks.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment. Director of Environment, Health & Safety, leads a team of professionals to meet the University's vast array of legal and regulatory requirements by creating a culture of risk management, developing and implementing change management strategies, identifying emerging trends and issues, developing guidelines, providing education and training, monitoring, executing protocols, and delivering programs and services.

This position is directly accountable for leading the Health, Safety and Environment unit to anticipate and respond to health, safety, environment, and business continuity issues that are part of the University's core mission.

Duties

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) team. Provide input into the development of Human Resources Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE) strategic objectives.

• Provide strategic advice to the AVP (HRHSE) and contributes as a member of the HRHSE leadership team
• Collaborate with all members of the HSE Team to establish strategic priorities
• Develop a strategic plan that supports the goals of the HRHSE portfolio including a set of department objectives and performance measures

Strategic Partnerships:

Develop strategic partnerships with faculties, academic and support staff, staff associations, departments and portfolios.

• Establish a comprehensive communication strategy outlining to stakeholders HSE priorities and goals
• Plan and coordinate HSE programs and services in cooperation with key partners
• Facilitate discussions around university-wide priorities and the role of HSE in supporting the achievement of those priorities
• Provide support to stakeholders regarding the interpretation of the university’s HSEMS  and programs and policies for radiation safety, chemical safety, biological safety, physical safety, psychological safety, cultural safety, occupational hygiene, occupational health and environmental protection functions
• Work in partnership with stakeholders to achieve compliance with legislation, policies, and federal and provincial regulatory requirements and standards
• Communicate with federal, provincial and local safety, health and environment agencies concerning compliance issues and emerging standards 

Development & Delivery:

Lead the development and delivery of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) programs to create a culture of care and ensure a safe and healthy work and learning environment

• Develop and implement a comprehensive HSEMS that mitigates risk, enhances the university's compliance with health, safety and environment legislative requirements, university policy and procedure and improves the university's safety culture
• Act on issues of non-compliance with the HSEMS and health, safety and environment legislation, practices, policies and procedures that have the potential to put individuals, facilities or the university’s reputation at risk.
• Ensure structures, practices and processes are in place to maintain the integrity of university health, safety and environment permits and licences held by the director on behalf of the university.
• Ensure reporting processes and tools to track health and safety performance and inform enhancements to the HSEMS, programs, services and the university’s safety culture.
• Develop reports that inform senior leaders and governance on the university’s health and safety performance.
• Ensure continuity of critical health, safety and environment programs and services during a period of operational disruption
• Chair or as a member provide leadership to regulatory or administrative committees.   
• Oversee incident investigations including the determination of root cause, the identification of  corrective actions, reporting to regulators and  working with the affected department(s) to prevent similar incidents

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent is required
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant leadership experience is required
• Extensive and ongoing professional development in topics related to Health, Safety, and Environment is required
• Current Professional Safety Designation(s) such as Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)
• A detailed understanding of health, safety and environment management systems,  structures and services within a large complex organization
• A detailed understanding of related provincial and federal legislation and compliance requirements
• Proven leadership skills in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Talent manager and coach, relationship builder and community engager
• Strategic and tactical thinker
• Ability to make logical decisions in high-stress environments
• Ability to exercise a high level of independence
• High problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent writing and oral presentation skills
• Ability to meet and interact with people on all levels within and outside of the organization including Board Committee Members, Vice Presidents, Deans, Chairs, Directors, front-line staff, regulatory officials (including investigators), concerned members of the public, service providers and government officials
• Working knowledge of risk analysis and mitigation 

Application Instructions:

Please apply online and submit:

• Cover Letter 
• Resume

While the competition closes on June 25th, 2024, the review of applications will commence on May 8th, 2024.