WHS Officer

Location: This position is based in Barcaldine with regional work and travel as required.

Classification Level: Level 3.1 of the Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award - State 2017, and the Barcaldine Regional Council Certified Agreement 2025.

Wage: Minimum base salary of $77,052.56 per annum + 12% Superannuation and relevant approved allowances.

Payment of Wages: Council employees are paid fortnightly.

Hours of Work: 72.5 hours over 9 days with a rostered day off (RDO) every fortnight.

Leave: Five (5) weeks annual leave per annum + 17.5% loading. Fifteen (15) days Personal Leave (sick leave) per annum.

Equal Opportunity: Barcaldine Regional Council is an equal opportunity employer, and all suitably qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About The Region: If you're looking to escape the pace of city life and enjoy a better work-life balance, the Barcaldine Regional Council offers the opportunity to build a rewarding career while embracing the benefits of regional living. With welcoming communities, wide open spaces and a relaxed lifestyle, it's a place where you can enjoy a strong sense of connection both at work and in the community.

The Role: As a WHS Administration Officer, you will be primarily responsible for supporting and maintaining Council’s workplace health and safety administrative records and compliance requirements. You will contribute to the development, implementation and review of safety initiatives, while working collaboratively with leaders, staff and health and safety representatives to promote safe working practices and support workplace incident and near-miss investigations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a safety-focused professional who is organised, collaborative and committed to supporting a safe and healthy workplace across Council.

What you'll do:

• Maintain and implement WHS internal audit schedules, including monitoring recommendations from previous audits and reporting outcomes to management.
• Report WHS Concerns, injury management outcomes, and audit findings to the WHS Coordinator and Management.
• Ensure completion and secure storage of all WHS and injury management records.
• Conduct WHS risk assessments across the organisation and report on findings.
• Provide monthly performance reports on WHS and injury management systems to the WHS Coordinator.
• Manage all work-related injuries in line with legislative requirements.
• Coordinate recovery and return-to-work plans, including identifying suitable duties and liaising with medical practitioners, supervisors, and injured workers.
• Maintain regular communication with injured workers and supervisors regarding progress and capacity updates.
• Liaise with external investigators and maintain confidentiality during injury management processes.
• Promote awareness and compliance with the WHS Management System across the organisation, fostering a culture of safety.
• Work with HR to identify and deliver WHS training for employees and contractors.
• Conduct incident investigations as directed by the WHS Coordinator in consultation with workers and management.
• Support the WHS Coordinator in overseeing the WHS Management system to ensure accountability and compliance.
• Ensure all new workers and contractors receive appropriate WHS inductions.

Requirements:

• Completion of a National Criminal History Check to Council's Satisfaction.
• Completion of a Pre-Employment Medical Examination to Council's Satisfaction.
• Certificate IV in WHS, Occupational Health and Safety, or Workplace Training and Assessment (or equivalent experience with progress toward formal qualifications).
• Current Queensland class 'C' Driver Licence.
• Return to work Coordination Certificate.
• Current General Construction Induction Card (White/Blue Card) or equivalent.
• Advanced communication skills, with well-developed influencing, negotiation, and report-writing capabilities.
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.
• High level of computer skills, including the ability to develop and maintain spreadsheets.

Highly desirable:

• Comprehensive knowledge of WHS legislation, relevant Australian standards, and Codes of Practice.
• Sound understanding of hazard and risk identification, assessment, and control implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in completing internal audits.

For more information, please contact Human Resources via email hrm@barc.qld.gov.au