Senior Work Health and Safety Consultant

Department of State Development
Job reference: 854986
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au 

About the role:

The People and Culture team supports the delivery of DSD’s strategic objectives by enabling a capable, healthy and high performing workforce   

The Senior Work Health and Safety Consultant provides expert, strategic WHS leadership and consultancy services across the organisation. The role partners with senior leaders to ensure legislative compliance, manage complex risk and incident matters, and embed a proactive, preventative and wellbeing focused safety culture.

As a Senior Work Health and Safety Consultant, you will:

1. Provide authoritative, high-level advice to executives, senior leaders and managers on WHS legislation, risk management and best practice safety systems.
2. Lead the development, implementation and review of WHS strategies, policies, frameworks and procedures aligned to organisational priorities and legislative requirements.
3. Deliver expert consultancy services on complex WHS matters, including psychosocial hazards, critical incidents, and emerging risk issues.
4. Undertake the role of Workplace Return to Work Coordinator, with responsibility for coordinating injury management and return‑to‑work planning, ensuring legislative compliance, maintaining appropriate records, and supporting managers and workers to achieve safe, sustainable return‑to‑work outcomes.
5. Lead or oversee complex incident investigations, root cause analysis and the development of sustainable corrective actions.
6. Analyse WHS data, trends and performance indicators, preparing high quality reports and recommendations for senior governance forums.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

• Extensive experience providing high level WHS and psychosocial hazard management advice within complex, multi stakeholder environments.
• In depth knowledge of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012, Regulations and Codes of Practice, and their practical application.
• Strong experience in incident investigation, risk management, assurance and return to work coordination activities.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, judgement and professional discretion.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary ASO7 p.a. plus superannuation

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• A variety of leave arrangements
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Essential:Relevant tertiary qualification in Work Health and Safety or a related discipline, or other WHS certifications highly desirable, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Desirable:Experience in psychosocial risk management and wellbeing initiatives

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) for up to 24 months
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) is required prior to employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Tiffany Payne,

Acting Associate Director, People and Culture via **************@sa.gov.au

How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website. 

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
• Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
• Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
• Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close: 01/09/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- ASO7 - DSD Role Description Senior Work Health and Safety Consultant - August 2026.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.