Health and Safety Officer

Position Summary

Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band) is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment. The Health and Safety Officer position is instrumental in building a strong safety culture that aligns with our commitments to the well-being of our employees, following WorkSafeBC standards and other regulatory compliance. We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Health and Safety Officer to join our team, working collaboratively to develop and implement a safety program to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our employees.

Under the direction of the Human Resources Manager, the Health and Safety Officer is dedicated to ensuring that health and safety practices are established, communicated, and followed throughout our organization as well as overseeing our accommodations practices, return to work, and injury management to ensure continued staff wellbeing. This role is vital in maintaining a safe workplace that respects and integrates First Nations perspectives and practices, promoting a culture of health and safety through a collaborative and consultative approach. The Health and Safety Officer has the authority to stop work when it is being conducted in an unsafe manner, including impairment

Work that matters
Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band) is located 1 kilometer from Agassiz, BC on the beautiful Fraser River, 120 km east of Vancouver. We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant and resilient community. Our work spans a diverse range of services including housing, education, health, wellness, early childhood development, community infrastructure, and cultural vitalization. By joining our team, you will be part of an organization that values Indigenous knowledge, promotes self-advocacy, and strives to create a holistic and culturally safe environment for all community members.

Become a part of our team and help us continue making meaningful impacts every day.

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Benefits and perks

• Supportive and inclusive work environment that values Indigenous knowledge and perspectives,

• Competitive salary, pension with employer contributions, as well as health and dental benefits package. (Pension and benefits package may vary, apply after a successful probationary period, and will be confirmed during the interview and hiring process.)

• 13 statutory holidays, accrued vacation, accrued sick time, 3 paid personal leave days, and bereavement leave that understands family connections,

• Opportunities for professional development and training,

• Casual dress code.

What you’ll do

Health and Safety Leadership

• Develop, review, implement and communicate health and safety policies, procedures, and guidelines in alignment with applicable laws and regulations, including WorkSafeBC and Ministry of Labour standards.

• Act as a primary contact and expert for all health and safety matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

• Provide safety orientation and training programs for employees and young workers, including but not limited to focusing on safety, hazards, risk assessments, personal protective equipment, reporting practices, and emergency procedures.

• Serve as a case manager for occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses, liaising with WorkSafeBC and insurance providers, and collaborating with the Human Resources Manager on accommodation and returns to work.

Community Engagement and Cultural Safety

• Engage with staff and stakeholders to foster a culture of safety that respects First Nations values and traditions.

• Promote awareness of intergenerational trauma and its impact on health and safety practices.

• Ensure that safety initiatives and training incorporate First Nations knowledge and approaches to wellbeing.

Safety Monitoring and Risk Management

• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify potential hazards, recommending appropriate control measures.

• Perform inspections, audits, and monitoring of employees and contractors to ensure adherence to safety standards.

• Investigate and report on hazards, incidents, accidents, injuries, and near-misses, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions, including leading disciplinary meetings in collaboration with Direct Supervisors and Human Resources.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Participate in emergency preparedness and incident command, working with the Emergency Preparedness division and the community.

• Organize and lead the Joint Health and Safety Committee, including but not limited to taking minutes, following up on issues, ensuring the Committee meets membership requirements, and ensuring effective communication and resolution of safety concerns.

Education and Advocacy

• Organize safety training opportunities and awareness campaigns tailored to seasonal risks and company needs.

• Provide or plan “on the job” coaching to staff on safe work procedures and promote a proactive safety culture.

• Foster positive and effective employee relationships through communication, initiatives, presentations, and coaching.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate records documentation, including but not limited to detailed activities, incident reports, hazard identification, actions, resolutions, inspections, training records, and outcomes.

• Provide policy and program recommendations based on needs and systemic trends.

• Report on gaps and advocate for improvements to systems.

• Stay informed about industry trends and changes in health and safety regulations, proactively updating procedures as necessary.

• Delegate administrative tasks related to records documentation to the HR Administrator (Employee Relations).

Other Duties

• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.

• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by your Manager, Director, Executive Director/Chief Administrative Officer, or Chief & Council.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or a related field; Professional certification in health and safety (e.g., CRSP, CSP, OFA) OR currently undergoing related post-secondary education or certification. We also recognize and value the cultural knowledge and experience gained through other forms of education and training.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience as a Health and Safety Officer or overseeing disability management.

• Experience developing and implementing health and safety programs, preferably in a First Nations community, or municipal setting.

• Experience leading Health and Safety Committees considered an asset.

• Certification in Incident Command or Emergency Operations is an asset.

• Valid Occupational First Aid Level 3, or willingness to obtain.

Preferred

• Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous community, or with knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island’s culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.

• Experience working with First Nations communities, young workers, and adults.

• Strong understanding of WorkSafeBC regulations and Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

• Demonstrated injury and disability case management experience.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.

• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to issues and inquiries.

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

• Proficient computer skills with the Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

Cultural Competency

• Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, First Nations cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues affecting First Nations people.

• Experience working within Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe practices.

• Understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.

Working / Special Conditions

• Initial and ongoing commitment to the values and guidelines of Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band), including our policies, procedures, standards of practice, and laws, is essential. This commitment supports our collective work, the community, and the responsibilities of this role
• Ability to work in inclement weather and perform both fieldwork and office work.
• Flexibility to adapt to tight deadlines, changing priorities, and urgent incidents.
• Initial and ongoing employment is subject to submission of a clear Criminal Record Review Program Check to ensure the safety and trust of the communities we serve. This check will be conducted every five years.
• Must possess a valid class 5 driver's license and have access to safe and reliable transportation, insured for community-based use, to effectively travel between facilities, and to locations where employees work (including construction zones).

Reports to:

• HR Manager

Pre-employment screening

Employment is conditional upon completing pre-employment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students, staff, members, families, community, as well as resources, and assets are protected. All background checks, reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with Seabird Island Human Resources Policy Manual, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience, particularly in relation to working within occupational health and safety or disability management. Please include references that can speak to your occupational health and safety experience, health and safety committee experience or disability case management skills.

Have a question about this position before you apply? Email careers@seabirdisland.ca.

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of Indigenous, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.