Manager, Occupational Health and Safety

Position Type:
Permanent
*

Closing date:

Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medavie Health Services (MHS) that manages and operates ground ambulance, air medical transport and the medical communications operations in Nova Scotia through a performance-based contract with the provincial government's Emergency Health Services (EHS) Operations division and the Department of Health and Wellness. As well, EMC operates TeleHealth/811 medical communications for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for the Department of Health.

We access all communities in Nova Scotia in a timely and efficient manner with our fleet of more than 180 ambulances and support vehicles operating out of 60+ stations. We respond to 165,000+ calls annually across the province, which are actively managed through the EHS Operations Medical Communications Centre, the hub of all emergency (911) and non-emergency (hospital transfers) medical calls.

The EHS Operations LifeFlight program provides even greater accessibility by responding to patients on scene or through inter-facility transports by our critical care team via helicopter, fixed wing, or ground ambulance.

In addition, paramedics in Nova Scotia participate in various programs both urban and rural such as community-based paramedic programs, collaborative emergency centres, and emergency preparedness and special operations, to name a few.

There are lots of opportunities waiting for you in Nova Scotia. Apply now to learn more about our service and available positions.

The Provincial Manager of Occupational Health & Safety provides leadership by developing, implementing, and evaluating workplace safety and safe vehicle handling programs that align with legislative requirements and organizational standards. This role fosters a psychologically and physically safe work environment, ensuring that safety is integrated into everyday practices.

Reporting to the Director of Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness, this role brings expert knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation and risk reduction strategies within an emergency services setting. They have experience in leading initiatives to reduce workplace incidents and employee injuries through proactive strategies.

The Provincial Manager of Occupational Health & Safety acts as a champion of all things safety in all that they do daily including leading a team of like-minded individuals who champion safety every day. Through the promotion and education of best practices, this role will ensure that we are continually improving overall health and safety results.

As an employee of EMC, we are accountable to our patients and coworkers by participating in and supporting all safety related initiatives, as well as acting in a manner that fosters a culture that focuses on patient safety and a safe workplace.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Legislative Compliance

• Monitor adherence to legal standards, company policies and procedures and accreditation standards relating to occupational health and safety and safe vehicle handling.
• Stay current with legislative changes, industry best practices, and regulatory expectations, ensuring timely updates to internal policies and programs.
• Interpret and apply provincial and federal laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety and safe vehicle operation.
• Act as liaison for audits, inspections, and investigations by external regulatory agencies.

Risk Assessments and Hazard Identification

• Track performance metrics in health and safety and safe vehicle operation, identify areas for improvement and ensure corrective actions are reasonable and complete.
• Develop, monitor and maintain comprehensive inspections and safety audits that assess physical, environmental, and psychosocial hazards and risk mitigation.
• Ensure accurate records of inspections, incidents and compliance activities are maintained.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to design and implement effective mitigation strategies that reduce risk across all departments.

Incident Prevention and Investigation

• Develop proactive prevention strategies that reduce workplace injuries and vehicle collisions.
• Support incident and collision investigations. Analyze trends and work closely with leaders to develop measures to reduce incidents.
• Oversee serious workplace incident and collision investigations ensuring the root cause and contributing factors are identified and corrective actions are appropriate and effective.
• Support organizational adoption of modern safety frameworks.

Program Development and Continuous Quality Improvement

• Develop, monitor and maintain comprehensive health and safety, and safe vehicle handling programs and policies that align with applicable legislation and standards.
• Ensure programs are practical, inclusive and responsive to the workplace needs and risks, including workplace violence and psychological safety.
• Incorporate emerging research, leading practices, and legislative changes into program updates.
• Ensure continuous improvement of programs based on KPIs, organizational trends, legislation and standards.

Safe Work Environment

• Promote a psychologically and physically healthy and safe work environment through clear communication and engagement in all discussions, initiatives and actions.
• Ensure employees, leaders and managers are trained in their health and safety and safe vehicle handling responsibilities.
• Provide regular reporting on safety and safe vehicle handling performance, trends, and program effectiveness, and recommend strategies to strengthen outcomes.
• Act as the point of contact for internal teams and external partners on health and safety and safe vehicle handling matters.
• Any other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office-based, spending various periods of sitting, standing, walking.
• Required to maintain one position for possible long periods of time, such as sitting at meetings, or at a desk setting.
• Reading data or inputting data, report writing, computer, and talking on the mobile device.
• Occasional exposure to low to moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to details (audio, photos and written details) of emergency and traumatic calls.
• Travel throughout Nova Scotia as required.
• Flexible work environment (in and out of office).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• MINIMUM: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Public Health or related field.

• PREFERRED: Master's degree

Experience

• MINIMUM 5 years in a leadership role within occupational health and safety.

PREFERRED

• Experience preferably in healthcare or public sector environments.

• Experience working with emergency services organizations

• Experience leading psychologically safe workplaces

• Experience with telematics or vehicle safety systems analysis

• High proficiency in incident investigation methodologies

Certifications

MINIMUM

• Safety certification such as Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) or equivalent.

• Possess a minimum of Class 5 Nova Scotia's driver's license in good standing.

PREFERRED

Class 4 or higher Nova Scotia driver's license in good standing.

Knowledge and Skills

MINIMUM

• Proven ability to lead and mentor others.

• Strong understanding of Nova Scotia's Occupational Health, Motor Vehicle and other related legislation.

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and written communication.

• Strong analytical, problem solving, project management, and organizational abilities.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite of programs.

PREFERRED

• Experience with psychological and physical health and harassment prevention policies
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to influence, advise and built trust with various partners

Language

• English (Fluency, Written and Verbal)

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the citizens we serve. We are committed to building an inclusive team that represents a variety of backgrounds, cultures, races, perspectives and skills. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, African Canadians, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities. Candidates who identify as being from any of these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify.