Department: Human Resources 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Chief HR & Equity Officer

Employee Group: Management 

Application Deadline: May 7, 2024

Requisition ID: 7146 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

The Director Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management (SHERM) provides strategic direction and operational oversight to the environmental health, safety and risk management program across all campuses and locations to ensure the University’s Officers and Directors can demonstrate the exercise of due diligence and compliance.  The Director is responsible for promoting a safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work environment for University staff, faculty, students and visitors. The Director plans, directs and facilitates the development and promotion of a comprehensive safety and risk mitigation strategy and framework based on management best practices and municipal, provincial, federal and international statutes that creates and maintains a healthy and safe environment for the University community and public. The Director encourages the adoption of risk management practices within the University community and ensures that risk management processes are integrated into the University’s academic and research activities. The Director is responsible for the University’s Emergency Management program for Laurier, working closely with local safety officials and internal safety partners and operational leaders.

The Director collaborates with key departments and University management to ensure that environmental health and safety risks are identified, analyzed, rigorously monitored and addressed. They foster strong working relationships with key stakeholders by providing informed advice, consultation and strategic direction to senior University leaders on Emergency Management and Fire Safety, Risk Management, Environmental and Lab Safety, and General Health and Safety.

This position reports directly to the Chief Human Resources and Equity Officer and to the Board of Governors for compliance issues, through the Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee.

Accountabilities

• Oversees the development and implementation of environmental health, safety and risk management programs, systems, policies, initiatives and training, and develops a compliance program, annual audit plan and reporting procedures to ensure the regulatory compliance of the University.
• Ensures the University's regulatory compliance with federal, provincial and municipal health and safety regulations by monitoring and analyzing the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on existing health and safety programs, methods and regulations.
• Advises and recommends actions to the Board of Governors, the President’s Cabinet and the Chief HR & Equity Officer in all matters arising from compliance or non-compliance with safety legislation, on actions required to mitigate risks and on potential risks arising from research and teaching practices or other university activities in regulated areas.
• Oversees critical and strategic analysis of all safety legislation (National & International) and develops programs, policies and procedures which reflect an informed understanding and assessment of risks at all levels of the University.
• Guides the development of policies, procedures and risk mitigation strategies that enable and empower departments to address health and safety issues. Identifies the key risks that may impact the successful achievement of institutional priorities, and develop strategies to reduce or control for potential impacts.
• Directs, plans and manages the delivery of services and programs to promote a safe and healthy university environment, to manage environmental and safety risks and issues, and to comply with all levels of government legislation with respect to occupational health and safety and environmental legislation. Specifically responsible for the disposal of hazardous waste material; controlling the release of air effluents; and management of biohazardous waste materials, fire safety, radiation safety, field research safety and Workers Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), Workplace Violence auditing/inspection programs, event safety, travel safety, and others.
• Fosters the development of strong and collaborative working relationships and partnerships with academic and administrative leaders, collaboratively developing policies and programs with key Laurier stakeholders and making recommendations on implementation. Actively participates on a variety of committees to ensure the EOHS issues are being considered and prioritized.
• Acts as the University’s liaison with external organizations, related institutions, regulatory agencies, and governments to ensure that the University’s interests are well represented and therefore supporting of the research and teaching mission of the University. The Director also works to establish positive and productive working relationships with these stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and expert advice on workplace violence risk management matters and decisions related to Laurier’s workplace violence risk assessment and management policy, programs, and activities. In carrying out this responsibility, works collaboratively with Special Constable Services, Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management, and other teams within Human Resources. Ensures equity considerations are embedded within the program and assessment processes.
• Manages and oversees the Emergency Management program for Laurier, ensuring regular program planning education and evaluation, including practice simulations. In the role of “Safety Officer, the director advises the Emergency Manager and the President’s Cabinet on any health and safety related matters that threaten the university’s campuses or the responding workers. Identifies and monitors situations which are suspected of being non-compliant or dangerous and oversees and enhances the development of plans for achieving compliance and for mitigating risks during the period of non-compliance.
• Oversees the development and management of the university’s fire safety program, working in collaboration with Facilities & Asset Management and Special Constable Services as well as local fire services.
• Manages the SHERM operating budget and plans for the unit and develops short and long-term plans and priorities in line with the goals of the institution.
• Provides leadership to SHERM staff, a multi-campus team of health, safety, and risk experts with different subject matter expertise that provide a diverse array of services to the university community. Proactively manages performance and employee development, and fosters an open and inclusive culture of continuous improvement within a large and diverse workforce.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from a recognized university with specialization in science, environmental health and safety or occupational health and safety, or an equivalent combination of education, training and work experience.
• Minimum 8-10 years progressive experience working and leading in environmental, health, safety and risk management disciplines. Experience in higher education an asset but not required.
• In-depth knowledge of existing and developing international, federal, provincial and municipal environmental health and safety legislation, regulations, standards and best practices.
• Knowledge of regulations relating to laboratory safety, chemical safety, biosafety, radiation protection, environmental safety, industrial hygiene, trade and construction safety, ergonomics and indoor air quality, fire safety, workers compensations well as compliance verification, assurance and reporting activities.
• Experience in the oversight of emergency management and workplace violence prevention programs within a large and complex organization with diverse stakeholder groups, and ability to apply a trauma-informed lens.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity, as reflected in work priorities and practices.
• Experience and demonstrated capabilities in strategic planning development and implementation of organization-wide policies related to the responsibilities of the position.
• Proven leadership and management skills in a complex and diverse environment (planning, monitoring, priority setting and time management).
• Ability to think and act strategically in order to solve problems including frequent non-routine issues.
• Ability to collaborate and achieve cooperation and commitment of management and staff at various levels and union representatives, without having direct authority over such positions.
• Ability to provide a consistently high level of service to the Laurier community.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential matters or crises with discretion, confidence and leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work constructively in a complex, consultative and unionized environment.

Hours of Work 

This is a full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation 

Level: 3C

Rate of Pay: $121,624 - $167,233

Broad salary ranges include a hiring range ($121,624- $136,827 of range midpoint), a target range ($136,828 - $167,233 of range midpoint), and a premium range ($167,234 -$190,037 of range midpoint).

When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.