"Senior Coordinator, Work, Health and Safety (WHS)"

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Coordinator, Work, Health and Safety (WHS). In this role you will foster a strong safety culture within the EAIT Innovation Group and the School of Architecture, Design and Planning by leading initiatives, policies, and procedures that ensure statutory compliance and organisational objectives. You will provide advice and support to managers, HSW committees, and laboratory and workshop supervisors, working closely with the Faculty HSW team to align with University priorities. It also delivers expert guidance across a broad range of health, safety, and wellness risks, including plant, chemical, electrical, fieldwork, hazardous materials, occupational hygiene, and psychosocial hazards.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Act as HSW Coordinator for two organisational units in line with UQ role definitions.
• Manage chemical safety and regulatory compliance, including GHS, drugs, poisons, carcinogens, and Chemicals of Security Concern.
• Oversee a broad range of hazards and safety programs, including ergonomics, psychosocial risks, manual handling, wellness, pressure vessels, safety in design, plant and equipment, and occupational hygiene.
• Lead and implement innovative HSW projects with local and Faculty HSW committees to improve efficiency and workplace health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Advise senior leadership and stakeholders on WHS obligations, best practice, and the development of WHS Management Plans.
• Provide guidance on hazard identification, risk controls, incident investigations, and reporting.
• Advise on risk assessments and SOPs for laboratories, workshops, and research activities to ensure policy and legislative compliance.
• Deliver HSW training and inductions, participate in HSW committees, and conduct inspections, audits, and safety walks with appropriate record keeping.

This position is based at St Lucia Campus, with occasional travel to other UQ sites.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• A degree in occupational health and safety or similar with at least four (4) years subsequent relevant experience in an industrial environment; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Thorough understanding of the principles and legislation related to work health and safety, and a demonstrated capacity to design and implement policy or procedures with regard to legislation, Standards and Codes.
• Knowledge of the principles, legislation, standards and codes associated with managing a broad range of physical and psychosocial risks.
• Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to influence teams in a constructive, outcomes-focused manner, and to work collaboratively with management, peers, team members and client groups in the promotion of positive HSW culture and good laboratory practice and experience in leading change.
• Experience in the use of a wide range of computer applications in a networked environment.

In support of our Indigenous employment strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. We value lived experience, community connection and diverse career pathways.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, First Aid and/or CPR certification, and Blue Card checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Work Rights?

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Mr Vince Kelly via vince.kelly@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-61044).