Assistant Director - Parks Australia Division (PAD) WHS

Description:

Who we are
People Division, led by the Chief People Officer (CPO), provides human resources (HR) functions for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department) with a clear focus on the department's most valued asset: its staff. Alongside contemporary HR functions, projects and strategies People Division is also responsible for:

• Enhancing the department's focus on safety.
• Enterprise bargaining.
• Cultural and change management.
• The department's response to Australian Public Service (APS) reforms.

The department is committed to fostering a diverse and flexible workplace that values differences, supports inclusiveness and encourages all employees regardless of gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation, or caring responsibilities, to achieve their potential. The Work Health and Safety and Wellbeing (WHS) function operates under a 'Hub and Spoke' model - recognising the critical and interdependent nature of each team within the function to achieving successful health, safety, and wellbeing solutions, keeping our people safe, and ensuring that safety is at the heart of all we do. The department's WHS Section (the hub) partners with the business to understand our unique and diverse health, safety and wellbeing needs to design, implement, and support a purpose built WHS Management System and WHS Information System that places our people at the heart of everything we do and enables a positive health and safety culture. The WHS AAD & PAD Section (the spoke) is for the consistent implementation of WHS systems, strategy, and standards across the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and Parks Australia Division (PAD). Our Section are the 'boots on the ground' who play a pivotal role in enabling the department to have a unified approach to implementing WHS in our two high-risk operational areas.


The key duties of the position include
The Job
As the Assistant Director PAD WHS, you will report to the Director WHS AAD, PAD & OSS. You will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Managing and overseeing a team of WHS Advisors and professionals, providing coaching, mentoring and advice to achieve departmental and team goals.
• Delivering an overarching WHS operational plan for PAD that align with the department's WHS Strategy and the department's WHS Management System and frameworks.
• Undertaking WHS risk profiling activities and partnering with the business to ensure all risks have controls and mitigation plans in place.
• Leading the process of implementing policies, procedures, frameworks and other guidance, contextualising these so they are relevant and applicable to the operational context in which they are being implemented.
• Collaborating regularly to share knowledge and ensure PAD is systematically and consistently applying WHS policy and procedures.
• Supporting national initiatives.

You will play a critical role in contributing to Parks Australia's purpose to protect, conserve and enhance the values of Commonwealth parks and gardens for the use and wellbeing of all Australians. You will work closely with local management on WHS matters. For success in this role, you will have experience working with Indigenous Australians.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience

• Ability to think strategically, applying problem solving and decision-making skills to resolve complex issues involving multiple stakeholders.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the Work Health Safety Act 2011 (Cth), Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth), Work Health Safety Codes of Practice (Cth), and relevant Australian Standards, and their application in a Commonwealth Government environment.
• Experience working with First Nation employees and within Indigenous communities.
• At least 5-7 years' experience in a comparable role, with experience leading others.

Highly Desirable

• Experience in promoting advances in safety culture and safety systems.
• Incident investigation and/or root cause analysis certifications, such as ICAM, Taproot or equivalent.
• Experience working in remote and isolated locations.

Skills and capabilities
You will have the ability to:

• Function autonomously, working in collaboration with other Assistant Directors/WHS Managers to deliver quality outcomes.
• Lead a team of diverse skillsets and backgrounds, coach, and mentor employees, undertake performance management, conflict resolution, and identification of training needs.
• Manage teams and timelines effectively to meet objectives and goals.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively about WHS risks, frameworks, policies, and procedures to employees of diverse skillsets, language and cultural backgrounds.
• Manage stakeholders and build and maintain effective workplace relationships.
• Adapt and work flexibly and effectively in times of uncertainty or major change.
• Influence, negotiate and provide trusted advice on WHS operations, systems and processes.
• Communicate WHS performance data upwards and downwards, identifying trends and providing insights for a range of audiences.
• Understand and communicate priorities, monitor progress, anticipate potential changes and drive delivery of WHS programs.
• Identify innovative WHS solutions and support their implementation.
• Consider a diverse range of stakeholder needs, accounting for the broad range of operational and cultural contexts in which the department and its people operate with sensitivity and appropriate care.
• Apply professional judgement in potentially ambiguous circumstances, exercising a significant degree of independence while factoring in critical risks.
• Develop and maintain key strategic relationships to ensure WHS objectives are achieved.
• Foster a mindset of continuous improvement within yourself and those you lead, undertaking professional development and training as needed.