Work Health and Safety Officer in Cleveland

STAR Community Services is seeking an experienced and proactive Work Health & Safety Officer to lead workplace health and safety initiatives across the organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for a safety professional who is passionate about creating safe, supportive and compliant workplaces while making a genuine difference in a community-focused organisation. Reporting to the Business Services Manager, you will work closely with managers, employees, volunteers and leadership teams to strengthen STAR's safety culture, coordinate injury management and return to work programs, and drive continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.

Why Join STAR?

• Play a key role in shaping the organisation's safety culture.
• Lead meaningful WHS initiatives that support employees, volunteers and participants.
• Coordinate injury management and return to work programs that make a real difference.
• Work closely with leaders across a diverse range of community services.
• Enjoy a varied role spanning workplace safety, compliance, training and employee wellbeing.
• Be part of a respected, values-driven organisation committed to Respect, Dignity and Empowerment.
• Access salary packaging benefits and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Free car parking within reasonable distance.
• Flexible work arrangements and family-friendly culture.

About the Role

You will be responsible for supporting and enhancing workplace health and safety systems across STAR while ensuring compliance with legislative and organisational requirements. You will promote safe work practices, coordinate risk management activities, support employees following workplace injuries, and contribute to organisational wellbeing initiatives. Working closely with managers, employees, volunteers, external stakeholders and regulators, you will help ensure STAR maintains a proactive and positive approach to workplace safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Work Health & Safety
  • Coordinate and maintain workplace health and safety systems, policies and procedures.
  • Conduct workplace inspections, audits, hazard assessments and risk reviews.
  • Support workplace incident, injury and near miss investigations.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance workplace safety and minimise organisational risk.
  • Monitor WHS compliance and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Injury Management & Return to Work
  • Coordinate workplace injury management and rehabilitation processes.
  • Develop and monitor Return to Work Plans.
  • Liaise with employees, managers, treating practitioners, rehabilitation providers and WorkCover representatives.
  • Support employees returning to work following workplace injuries.
  • Monitor medical certificates, capacity assessments and workplace adjustments.
• Training & Safety Culture
  • Coordinate workplace health and safety training activities.
  • Support First Aid and CPR compliance across the organisation.
  • Assist with safety awareness initiatives and staff engagement activities.
  • Promote a positive and proactive safety culture throughout the organisation.
• Compliance & Governance
  • Coordinate WHS reporting and documentation.
  • Chair and support WHS Committee activities.
  • Maintain accurate records, registers and compliance reporting requirements.
  • Support audits, accreditation activities and regulatory obligations.

About You

You are a proactive and organised WHS professional with a passion for workplace safety, employee wellbeing and continuous improvement. You will bring:

• Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in a WHS Officer, WHS Advisor or similar role.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety legislation and compliance obligations.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, audits and risk assessments.
• Experience supporting injury management and return to work processes.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly developed communication and administrative skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and service areas.
• A practical, solutions-focused and customer-centred approach.

Highly Regarded

• Return to Work Coordinator Training.
• Experience managing WorkCover Queensland claims.
• Experience within community services, aged care, disability or not-for-profit sectors.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
• Experience supporting psychosocial health and wellbeing initiatives.

Mandatory Requirements

• Current Driver Licence and access to a reliable, registered and comprehensively insured vehicle.
• NDIS Worker Screening Check.
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate.
• Current First Aid and CPR Certification.
• Qualifications in Work Health and Safety (minimum Certificate IV WHS or equivalent).
• Experience conducting WHS Audits.
• Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (RRTWC) certification.

Ready to Make a Difference?

At STAR Community Services, we believe everyone has a role to play in creating safe, healthy and supportive workplaces. If you're looking for an opportunity where you can influence workplace safety, support employee wellbeing, and help build a culture where people thrive, we'd love to hear from you.