Temporary Health and Safety Advisor, Vancouver

PHS Community Services Society is hiring a Temporary Human Resources Health & Safety Advisor in Vancouver!

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities? We're looking for a TemporaryHealth and Safety Advisor who is eager to contribute to our organization, keeping both our staff and the people we serve safe, healthy, and supported. In this role, you'll be a key member of the health and safety team within a mission-driven non-profit organization that provides low barrier housing and programs for communities in Vancouver and Victoria. You'll collaborate across departments, advising on policy, training, and fostering a culture of safety and care , all while directly contributing to a workplace where compassion, dignity, and well-being come first. If you're a passionate health and safety professional who wants your expertise to make a profound and meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

JOB SUMMARY

The Health & Safety Advisor supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Program across all sites. This role focuses on building strong relationships with frontline staff, providing guidance to managers, and ensuring consistent application of safe work procedures and exposure control measures in complex, active work environments.

Working closely with HR and Operations, the Advisor applies regulatory knowledge in real-world settings, promotes clear communication, and contributes to a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed principles. The role takes a worker-centered approach while balancing worker safety with resident/participant needs and service access.

This position requires sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations without creating barriers or stigma. A high level of confidentiality is essential, as the role involves handling sensitive employee information in compliance with privacy legislation and organizational policies.

SOCIETY PHILOSOPHY

PHS Community Services Society provides housing, harm reduction, health promotion and health care to vulnerable communities. Our supportive housing and low barrier programs provide refuge, services and advocacy for those who are homeless or poorly served elsewhere due to their physical health, mental health, behaviour, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system. Our work is grounded in honouring self-determination and providing as much choice of therapeutic treatments as possible within a trauma-informed continuum of care. We foster an environment which accepts and looks to the good in each member. PHS is a renowned innovator and a leader in harm reduction and health care for marginalized communities. PHS Housing actively seeks to find an alternative to eviction in every situation.

WHY WORK HERE?

PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector, looking for people to join experienced, supportive multi-disciplinary teams.

You will be a valued member of the team, working with colleagues who respect your input.

PHS is located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, in easy walking distance of Downtown, Chinatown, Gastown and the Sea Wall. There are good transit links – we're a couple of blocks from the Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Field Engagement and Program Support

• Serves as the primary on-site safety resource for PHS locations, providing guidance and in-person support to staff and managers.
• Conducts site visits to verify work practices, identify emerging risks and hazards, and ensures corrective actions are implemented.
• Builds and maintains trust-based relationships with staff and peers to promote open reporting and collaborative safety problem-solving.
• Supports site leadership and Joint Occupational Health & Safety (JOHS) Sub-Committees in fulfilling their statutory functions under the Workers Compensation Act and OHS Regulation.

Program Development, Implementation, and Training

• Supports the OHS Manager in implementing the multi-year OHS Program roadmap
• Develops and updates Exposure Control Plans (ECPs), Safe Work Procedures (SWPs), and related documentation in collaboration with site staff and managers.
• Monitors leading and lagging indicators, identifying patterns, and recommends proactive prevention strategies.

Training and Capacity Building

• Contributes to the development of training materials, safety meetings, and other educational resources focused on site-level application.
• Delivers site based OHS orientations, refresher training, and coaching sessions.
• Participates in emergency preparedness and response training initiatives.
• Supports the PHS Respiratory Protection Program, including staff education, fit testing, fit test recordkeeping, and respirator use guidance.

Incident Investigation and Data Management

• Leads or supports incident investigations to identify contributing factors, root causes and corrective actions.
• Ensures investigations meet WorkSafe BC and internal documentation standards.
• Tracks corrective actions, ensures completion, and follows up with managers to support timely completion and escalation where required.
• Monitors the PHS Safety Inbox daily to triage new reports, safety concerns, and incident notifications exposure concerns, and other events with worker health and safety implications.
• Logs, categorizes, and routes incoming safety communications to the appropriate manager, HR representative, or OHS Manager for follow-up.
• Maintains accurate digital records of incident investigations, corrective actions, and correspondences.
• Provides timely responses to staff and supervisors, ensuring urgent safety issues are escalated promptly.
• Supports Health and Safety Committee members maintain and update site-level safety information boards.

Exposure Control and Hazard Management

• Assists in the implementation and monitoring of Exposure Control Plans to unregulated substances, environmental tobacco smoke, biohazards and other high-risk environments.
• Verifies that required controls including ventilation, PPE, hygiene practices, safe work procedures, and contamination prevention measures are understood and are being used effectively.
• Provides guidance on respirator fit testing, hygiene practices, and contamination prevention measures.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Supports communication and documentation for WorkSafe BC inspections, orders, and compliance actions.
• Maintains knowledge of OHS regulations, CSA standards, and WorkSafe BC guidelines relevant to supportive housing and harm reduction contexts.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Diploma or certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in OHS program delivery, ideally in social services, health care, or harm reduction contexts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of WorkSafe BC legislation and BC OHS Regulation.
• Experience with incident investigations, risk assessments, and program implementation.
• Experience delivering safety or compliance training to diverse staff groups.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, critical thinking, and evidence-informed advice in high-pressured and complex situations, including situations involving moral complexity, moral distress, or competing duties
• Proficiency with Excel, incident management software, and SharePoint.
• Valid Basic (or higher) Occupational First Aid certificate.
• WHMIS and respiratory protection training an asset.
• Criminal Record Check required.
• Fit tester certification is an asset.
• The successful candidate must maintain or obtain certification as a respirator fit tester.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Position term: 12 months with possibility for extension

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm - some flexibility may be required

Location: On site - remote work isn't available

Salary: $72,000-$82,000 - depending on previous experience

Job Type: Temporary, full-time.

Benefits: Extended healthcare, dental, vision care.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional and lived experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.