About this role
Health, Safety and Disability Management AdvisorMunicipality of North CowichanThe Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,900) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay and the South End are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits.We are seeking a collaborative and results-oriented health and safety professional who is passionate about creating safe, healthy workplaces and delivering meaningful support to employees throughout their recovery and return-to-work journey. This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in shaping and advancing health and safety practices across the Municipality, supporting a diverse workforce that includes Public Works, Utilities, Parks, Recreation, Facilities, Fire Rescue, Municipal Hall, and municipal employees working within the RCMP Detachment. If you are a proactive and self-motivated professional who enjoys influencing positive organizational outcomes, building strong relationships, and making a tangible difference, we look forward to receiving your application.Reporting to the Director, People and Culture, this position provides organization-wide leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Municipality's health and safety, disability management, and return-to-work programs. As the Municipality's subject matter expert in occupational health and safety legislation, regulatory compliance, policies, procedures, and best practices, the incumbent will provide trusted advice and guidance to leaders, employees, Joint Health and Safety Committees, and People and Culture colleagues.Working in close partnership with the HR Advisor team, the successful candidate will champion a culture of safety, wellness, prevention, and early intervention across all departments while supporting compliant, timely, and compassionate disability management and return-to-work outcomes. Through strong collaboration, sound judgement, and a people-centered approach, the incumbent will help ensure employees receive the support they need while advancing organizational health, safety, and operational excellence.Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Leading disability management cases from initial absence through return to work, including reviewing medical information (including functional abilities and restrictions), developing and monitoring accommodation and return-to-work plans, and working with employees, managers, unions, health care providers, and disability benefit providers. Fostering, leading, and promoting a safe work environment, ensuring the effective implementation of occupational health and safety programs within the People and Culture team and in partnership with the management team, including but not limited to: Providing direction and advice to all levels of management Communicating changes and ensures new guidelines are implemented and understood by all relevant parties. Taking a lead role in internal occupational health and safety reviews and audits, and leading change management to enhance a safety-first culture. Investigating and reporting workplace incidents and/or health and safety issues. Preparing submissions and responses to WorkSafeBC orders or requests for compliance. Employee health and safety, and the development of appropriate training, records management and programs to support employee safety; Compliance with WorkSafeBC legislation, regulations and guidelines; Development, review and implementation of occupational health and safety policies, procedures and practices as necessary to ensure consistent corporate applications and best practices; and Management of joint occupational health and safety committees. Acting as the Municipality's primary contact and representative with case