Workplace Health Consultant

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Human Resources, Level B2

Job Title
Workplace Health Consultant

Department
Ergonomics Total Compensation Central Human Resources

Compensation Range
$7,071.58 – $10,169.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
April 3, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

May 12, 2025

This is a one year term appointment for leave coverage.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
The Workplace Health Consultant provides leadership and expertise across the University to prevent and reduce the incidence and severity of occupational disease and musculoskeletal injuries and to support UBC staff and faculty thriving in a healthy, safe, and accessible workplace. As a part of the interdisciplinary Workplace Health Services (WHS) team, the Workplace Health Consultant develops and delivers campus-wide innovative and evidence-based programming, builds strategic and influential partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, identifies and implements collaborative learning opportunities, and provides subject-matter expertise to support and promote employee health and safety across UBC-Vancouver and UBC-Okanagan campuses.

The Workplace Health Consultant provides occupational health expertise and assessments across complex and diverse portfolios and work settings including office, laboratory, animal care services, food services, childcare, building services, mechanical shops, and dentistry.
Organizational Status

• Reports to the Manager, Ergonomics & Accessibility.

• Collaborates with colleagues in Workplace Health Services, and with Administrative Heads of Units, Department Managers, Supervisors, Union and Association representatives, Safety & Risk Services, Human Resources Advisors, Employee Relations, and Faculty Relations when reviewing ergonomic risks and recommendations.

Work Performed

• Develops, implements, evaluates, and continuously improves the University’s Ergonomics and Occupational & Preventive Health (OPH) programs to support employees thriving in a safe, accessible, and healthy workplace and ensuring compliance with federal and provincial legislative regulations (WorkSafeBC, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Immunization Guidelines, BC Centre for Disease Control, etc.).

• Oversees and is accountable for the operations of the OPH program across both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

• Influences occupational disease and ergonomic injury prevention through strategic partnership-building and collaboration with faculties, departments, and administrative units.

• Advises and provides subject-matter expertise to Heads, Senior Managers, Safety Committees, and Safety and Risk Services to eliminate/minimize the risk of occupational disease and musculoskeletal injury.

• Oversees and develops systematic evaluation and analysis of UBC’s occupational disease trends statistics.

• Determines evidence-based recommendations to reduce the incidence and severity of occupational injury and disease across the University. Negotiates and facilitates the implementation of these measures.

• Conducts formal ergonomics and occupational health risk assessments by assessing work environments, analyzing risk factors, and applying ergonomic and occupational health principles to develop effective control measures. Creates written reports, including exposure control plans, for distribution to departmental senior managers and other key stakeholders.

• Evaluates the outcome of risk reduction strategies and makes evidence-based recommendations to refine or enhance such strategies, as needed.

• Liaises with physicians, rehabilitation service providers, other health professionals and insurers (e.g. WSBC, ICBC).

• Identifies and leverages knowledge translation opportunities. Designs and delivers presentations and training for staff, faculty and departmental units based on ergonomic and occupational health needs of the University and in support of UBC’s strategic plan.

• Educates and guides staff and faculty on safe work procedures, hazard controls, and medical surveillance protocols based on risk assessment in compliance with regulatory standards and researching evidence-based best practice techniques.

• Consults with the internal and external specialists (e.g. BCCDC, WSBC, etc.) and other stakeholders to develop protocols, practices and procedures to ensure compliance with provincial and federal regulations and to support a safe and healthy workplace.

• Conducts Job Demands Analysis (JDA) assessments and develops reports.

• Provides technical expertise and guidance on ergonomics and occupational disease-related incidents/accidents (I/A); leads ergonomics-related I/A investigations when necessary; provides expertise and occupational health content for University-wide exposure control plans; evaluates exposure incidents and determines reporting to the WSBC Occupational Disease Exposure Registry.

• Analyzes program statistics and other metrics to evaluate program development, inform strategic planning, and include in annual reporting.

• Collaborates with researchers from different disciplines at UBC to conduct joint research initiatives that evaluate innovative approaches for occupational disease and injury prevention.

• Oversees the procuring of ergonomic loaner equipment, determining equipment suitability and prioritizing distribution based on need.

• Provides technical expertise to designers, project managers, and purchasing managers on ergonomic factors to both reduce the risk of injury and create the right conditions to support healthy work performance.

• Negotiates with external vendors to procure ergonomic equipment to secure the most cost-effective office ergonomic equipment solutions for the University.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
As subject matter expert, considerable independent judgement is required. Responsible for ensuring that the design and implementation of the Ergonomics & Occupational Health programs at the University comply with regulatory requirements and minimize the risks of accidents or injury. The result of inadequate programs may result in serious injury or disease to faculty, staff, students and visitors, or loss of equipment or facilities. Higher injury rates significantly impact the costs of operation and WCB insurance coverage.
Supervision Received
This position works under the general direction of the Manager, Ergonomics & Accessibility, within broad program goals and objectives. Keeps the Manager informed of actions through reports and discussions. Exercises considerable independent judgment and initiative in addressing complex issues.
Supervision Given
May supervise and/or mentor co-op and practicum students and temporary clerical staff.
Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four to five years of related work experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ergonomics, occupational or public health is preferred.

• Experience conducting ergonomics and occupational health risk assessments across a wide variety of work environments.

• Experience working in a large, complex, unionized environment.

• Demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically, and from an organizational perspective, to translate into practical, implementable solutions appropriate to the organizational context.

• Proven skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and operational effectiveness.

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills are required to implement programs across a diverse group of staff and departments.

• Effective people management and coaching skills.

• Ability to communicate well, make and deliver effective presentations, and prepare senior level reports.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and resolve conflict.

• Demonstrated experience managing projects, meeting deadlines, and resolving unexpected and/or ambiguous situations or issues.

• Commitment to personal learning, development, and improvement in pursuit of own objectives and those of the team and organization.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and electronic records management systems.