Barkuma is seeking an experienced and proactive WHS Manager to join our People and Safeguarding team and help drive a strong safety culture across our diverse operations.
About Barkuma:
Barkuma is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through providing diverse range of services. For more than 50 years, we have fostered an environment of self-determination, endless opportunities for learning and growth for our customers. Our aspirational goal is to become a leading provider of high-quality employment, transition, and in-home support services for both current and future customers. At the heart of our mission is our purpose to partner with individuals on their journey towards their best life.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Executive Manager, People and Safeguarding, the WHS Manager plays a critical role in maintaining and continuously improving Barkuma’s Work Health and Safety framework across a diverse range of environments, including disability accommodation, community services, corporate offices and manufacturing operations located at Elizabeth and Holden Hill.
This role provides expert WHS leadership and operational support across Barkuma’s diverse operations. It is responsible for supporting the safety and wellbeing of supported employees (who are also clients), staff, contractors, customers and visitors across all sites.
This is a highly visible, hands-on role that partners with leaders to manage risk, investigate incidents, drive continuous improvement and strengthen safety culture. It also leads injury management and return to work processes and supports safety and works collaboratively with the People and
Culture Manager and team to support Barkuma’s workforce.
As Barkuma’s WHS subject matter expert, you will contribute to positive outcomes for vulnerable individuals while ensuring the organisation meets its legislative obligations and continues to strengthen its safety performance across all operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the ongoing development, implementation and continuous improvement of Barkuma’s WHS Management System, policies and procedures.
- Provide practical WHS advice and support to managers, employees and key stakeholders across the organisation.
- Conduct workplace inspections, hazard identification, risk assessments and implementation of effective control measures.
- Support and coordinate investigations into incidents, injuries, near misses, hazards and psychological safety concerns, ensuring timely corrective and preventative actions.
- Monitor WHS trends and performance data, preparing reports, safety alerts and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Lead workplace injury management and return to work processes, partnering with managers, employees, insurers and treating practitioners to support positive recovery at work outcomes.
- Coordinate WHS training, inductions, toolbox talks and safety awareness initiatives across all sites.
- Support WHS Committee activities and foster employee engagement in safety initiatives.
- Maintain WHS registers, Safety Data Sheets, compliance records and other documentation required to meet legislative and organisational obligations.
- Coordinate internal and external WHS audits and support regulatory inspections and compliance activities.
- Develop and maintain job dictionaries and undertake capacity-based role assessments to support safe, meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.
About You
You are a practical and collaborative WHS professional who enjoys building relationships and partnering with leaders to create safer workplaces. You are comfortable working across multiple sites and operational environments and can balance compliance requirements with practical business outcomes.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience in a WHS leadership, advisory or management role.
- Comprehensive knowledge of WHS legislation, standards and best practice.
- Strong experience in incident investigation, risk management and hazard identification.
- Experience managing workplace injury management and return to work programs.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills.
- The ability to influence, coach and support leaders to achieve positive safety outcomes.
- Experience working within disability services, supported employment, manufacturing or other human services environments will be highly regarded.
- Experience developing job dictionaries and conducting capacity-based role assessments.
Qualifications and Clearances:
- Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (or equivalent)
- Return to Work Coordinator Training.
- Current NDIS Worker Screening or DHS Disability Clearance (or willingness to obtain).
- NDIS Worker Orientation Module ‘Quality, Safety and You’ (or willingness to obtain).
- Appropriate infection control certificate (or willingness to obtain).
- HLTAID014 Advanced First Aid Training and Mental Health First Aid Training (or willingness to obtain).
Special Conditions:
- Work rights for Australia.
- Ability to work and travel across Barkuma sites as required.
- Current Australian Driver’s Licence. (restricted P2 licence and above)
Benefits of Working with Barkuma:
- Permanent role with $18,550 salary packaging option.
- Enjoy 5 weeks of annual leave.
- Supportive, flexible and diverse team culture.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Access to a minimum of 6 annual EAP sessions.
- Free flu vaccination.
To find out more about Barkuma visit us at:
- www.barkuma.com.au
- www.facebook.com/barkumainc
- www.linkedin.com/company/barkuma-inc
To Apply:
Please click the ‘Apply’ button to lodge your application, including a cover letter and your Resume.
Barkuma acknowledges that each individual, regardless of their background or abilities, brings diverse talents and skills, ensuring the best outcomes for our clients. We encourage applicants with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTIQ+ community, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.
With respect, no recruitment agencies please. Candidates must have work rights for Australia. Barkuma is an equal opportunity employer.
Shortlisted applicants only will be contacted.
Thanks
P&C Team
