Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities? We're looking for a Health and Safety Manager who is eager to lead safety initiatives that keep both our team and the people we serve safe, healthy, and supported. In this role, you'll be a key leader within a mission-driven non-profit organization that provides low barrier housing and programs for the community in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). You'll collaborate across departments, guide policy and training, and foster a culture of safety and vigilance, all while directly contributing to a workplace where compassion, dignity, and well-being come first. If you're a passionate health and safety expert who wants your expertise to make a profound and meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Occupational Health and Safety Manager is responsible for working collaboratively with HR and operations to develop, implement, monitor, promote and evaluate the organizational-wide Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) program, which is centered on meeting health & safety legislation, regulations, standards and/or the collective agreements. This position acts as a resource providing consultation, guidance, and support on health and safety issues to the Human Resources team, Senior Leadership team, management and staff. The Occupational Health and Safety Manager completes incident investigations, trains managers and staff on safety practices, conducts inspections and audits, addresses safety concerns, and promotes a safety culture to eliminate occupational injuries and illness.

This position maintains current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation, the collective agreements and health & safety policies, procedures and programs. The Occupational Health and Safety Manager has access to an extensive range of confidential and sensitive employee information from both the HR and Finance departments and is bound by confidentiality.

Please note that this is not a remote position. The Health and Safety Manager is expected to be on-site to provide hands-on leadership, support, and guidance across our programs and facilities in the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

SOCIETY PHILOSOPHY

PHS Community Services Society provides housing, harm reduction, health promotion and health care to vulnerable communities. Our supportive housing and low barrier programs provide refuge, services and advocacy for those who are homeless or poorly served elsewhere due to their physical health, mental health, behaviour, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system. Our work is grounded in honouring self-determination and providing as much choice of therapeutic treatments as possible within a trauma-informed continuum of care. We foster an environment which accepts and looks to the good in each member. PHS is a renowned innovator and a leader in harm reduction and health care for marginalized communities. PHS Housing actively seeks to find an alternative to eviction in every situation.

WHY WORK HERE?

PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector, looking for people to join experienced, supportive multi-disciplinary teams.

You will be a valued member of the team, working with colleagues who respect your input.

PHS is located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, in easy walking distance of Downtown, Chinatown, Gastown and the Sea Wall. There are good transit links - we're a couple of blocks from the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Develops, implements, monitors and audits the various components of the PHS-wide Occupational Health & Safety program, including but not limited to safety policies and procedures, program documents, supporting materials, instructional programs and reporting systems; ensuring safe operations and compliance with required standards and practices.
• Delivers Occupational Health & Safety instructional education and training programs to Directors, Human Resources, Managers and front-line staff.
• Consults with Senior Leadership, Human Resources, Managers and staff on health & safety issues and assists them to meet strategic goals which will prevent workplace injuries and exposures. This includes interpretation of regulations; application of OH&S procedures and standards of practice; appropriate intervention and/or preventative measures.
• Identifies, assesses and recommends mitigation of workplace hazards; provides technical advice and recommendations to management on maintaining compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, OH&S programs and collective agreements.
• Represents PHS's interests in dealing with regulatory agencies and liaises with WorkSafeBC officers during inspections; investigates and provides advice to management regarding WorkSafeBC inspection reports/orders, including the development of Notice of Compliance (NOC) plans with management, submitting NOC's to WorkSafeBC, and where appropriate challenging WorkSafeBC inspection reports/orders on behalf of PHS through preparation of appeal documentation, in consultation with the HR Director and legal counsel when required.
• Responds to workplace incident reports and manages the collection, follow-up, tracking, and record keeping of incident investigations, corrective action plans, and compliance orders; supporting management by ensuring appropriate follow-up action is taken and providing recommendations to achieve compliance with applicable legislation and the OH&S program.
• In consultation with the HR Director, provides advice to Human Resources and management with respects to grievances that pertain to OH&S. This includes fact finding/analysis, strategizing on the employer position, preparing appropriate correspondence, participating in meetings with employer/union representatives and consultation with legal counsel when required.
• Promotes constructive union-management relations through respectful communication and interest-based problem-solving. Liaises with Local Union executives and Head Office/ management representatives to resolve OH&S related problems, consulting on issues and providing/exchanging information on OH&S topics affecting employees in the workplace.
• Facilitates safety audits and identifies safety training needs; develops and delivers training manuals, programs, safe operating procedures, and competency-based testing systems; collects and retains applicable data. Promotes safety awareness through on-going education and staff training.
• Reviews WorkSafe claims, unusual occurrences, and safety incident reports with managers. Engages staff, managers and senior leaders in the analysis of staff safety data and assists managers to develop action plans to address safety issues and prevent future incidents.
• Undertakes, supports, and guides the completion of effective investigations of accidents and injuries. Submits investigations to WorkSafe BC and reviews with Joint OHS&S committees.
• Remains current with the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations and other related legislation/standards; collective agreements and internal practices to ensure that the OH&S program is current and within legislative, regulation and/or collective agreement requirements.
• Provides advice and guidance to Senior Leadership, Managers, and employees regarding the interpretation and administration of the Workers Compensation Act, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, as well as other legislation and policies to ensure consistent application of these agreements and directives.
• Represents PHS Health & Safety on internal and external committees such as the Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee and Affiliate working groups.
• Manages the PHS Safety inbox. Organizes inbox files, provides day-to-day guidance and timely responses to employee and manager inquiries and issues and completes required action for follow-up.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from a recognized program
• Minimum of five years of recent related experience in the field of health and safety and in a unionized environment
• Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), or an equivalent combination of education, experience and certification that is acceptable.
• Knowledge of workplace health & safety principles/practices and working knowledge of relevant health & safety regulations/legislation and collective agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with others in a highly sensitive labour climate, including problem solving and analytical abilities
• Ability to build relationships with managers and staff and exercise discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive health and safety issues
• Demonstrated facilitation and training skills
• Level 1 Occupational First Aid ticket or higher
• WHMIS training and certification
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
• Criminal Record Check must be completed prior to employment
• unionized: 5 years (preferred)

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Job Type: Permanent, full-time.

Benefits: Extended healthcare, dental, vision care.

Schedule: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds . click apply for full job details