Position Summary

This position serves as the organization's advisor and subject matter expert for health, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance programs. The HSER Advisor is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving systems, programs, and processes that support safe operations, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and risk management across the District.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this role provides visible leadership in both field and office environments, supporting operations, maintenance, construction, land management, and water service activities. The HSER Advisor works closely with employees, contractors, leadership, and regulatory agencies to identify risks, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement in HSER performance.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the District's health and safety management system, policies, procedures, and programs.

• Provide visible field leadership through inspections, audits, observations, and direct engagement with employees and contractors.

• Support hazard identification, risk assessments, incident prevention initiatives, and emergency preparedness activities.

• Facilitate the Joint Health & Safety Committee and ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation.

Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead environmental compliance programs and ensure adherence to applicable legislation, permits, licences, approvals, and reporting requirements.

• Support environmental stewardship initiatives by identifying risks, implementing mitigation strategies, and promoting sustainable operational practices.

• Coordinate environmental monitoring, incident response, investigations, corrective actions, and regulatory reporting.

• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, consultants, and external stakeholders on environmental and compliance matters.

Risk Management

• Act as the District's subject matter expert on occupational health and safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Lead and maintain the COR program, compliance audits, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and recommend actions to ensure organizational compliance.

• Support enterprise risk management, business continuity, and emergency response planning activities.

Incident Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, environmental events, and hazards using root cause analysis methodologies.

• Develop, monitor, and verify corrective and preventative actions to address identified risks and improve performance.

• Analyze HSER trends, metrics, and performance indicators to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.

Training & Culture

• Develop and deliver HSER training, orientations, awareness programs, and toolbox talks.

• Coach and support employees and contractors in the application of safe work practices and compliance requirements.

• Promote a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Identify competency gaps and recommend training and development opportunities.

Systems, Reporting & Administration

• Administer HSER management systems and ensure the integrity of compliance, training, incident, and inspection records.

• Prepare reports, dashboards, presentations, and compliance documentation for leadership, committees, and the Board.

• Monitor and report on HSER performance indicators, compliance obligations, and organizational objectives.

• Recommend process and system improvements that enhance efficiency, accountability, and reporting capability.

Operational Support

• Maintain a strong field presence and partner with departments to integrate HSER requirements into daily operations and projects.

• Support contractor onboarding, compliance monitoring, and performance management processes.

• Provide practical guidance and real-time coaching to support safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible work execution.

• Participate in operational planning and project reviews to identify and mitigate HSER risks.

Qualifications

Must Have

• Post-secondary education in Occupational Health & Safety, Environment, Agriculture, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in health, safety, environmental, regulatory compliance, or risk management roles.

• Strong knowledge of Alberta occupational health and safety legislation, environmental regulations, and compliance requirements.

• Working knowledge of the Alberta Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), including associated approvals, protocols, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

• Experience with COR programs, regulatory compliance, incident investigations, audits, inspections, risk assessments, and WCB claims management.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HSER management systems.

• Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence with an acceptable driving record.

Skills

• Regulatory interpretation and compliance management.

• Environmental stewardship and risk management.

• Incident investigation and corrective action management.

• Strong communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.

• Independent decision-making, sound judgment, and problem solving.

• Data analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement.

Assets (Nice to Have)

• NCSO, CRSP, CHSC, EP, P.Ag., P.Biol., ASET, Certified COR Auditor, or equivalent designation.

• Experience in irrigation, water management, utilities, agriculture, aggregate operations, land development, construction, or municipal environments.

• Experience with environmental permitting, regulatory approvals, environmental monitoring, and emergency response planning.

Western Irrigation District

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