Job Description
Full job description
Health and Safety Advisor
Permanent Full Time Position (40 hours per week, Monday – Friday).
Hybrid – based at any Ember hub and/or work from home
Additional leave - 2 recreation days and 5 study days per year
Reports to the General Manager Service Excellence
Join Ember Korowai Takitini and make a real difference in the lives of people and communities. We’re looking for a proactive and experienced Health & Safety Advisor to lead and champion health and safety across our organisation. This is a specialist role for a registered health professional (e.g. Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Psychologist) that combines technical expertise with clinical insight to enhance wellbeing and create safe, positive environments for our kaimahi, whaiora, volunteers, and visitors
Ember Korowai Takitini | Nga Matapono
At Ember, we support people to live the lives they choose, and we challenge the systems that hold them back. Our vision is a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction, and intellectual disability.
As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:
Extra leave – including 2 recreation days and 5 study leave (after a year's service)
Wellbeing initiatives – Extraordinary card for health needs, EAP, flu vaccinations, and more
Professional development – ongoing supervision, training, and growth opportunities i.e. funded annual practicing certificate, external supervision (one hour for each month).
Inclusive culture – a supportive, values-driven workplace where your voice matters
Role | Nga mahi
As our Health & Safety Advisor, you’ll provide leadership, guidance, and practical solutions to ensure compliance and foster a proactive safety culture. You’ll work closely with leaders and teams to integrate health and safety into everyday practice, particularly in client-facing and community-based environments.
Key responsibilities include:
Acting as the subject matter expert on health and safety legislation and best practice
Leading risk management processes, including psychosocial and clinical-related risks i.e. Reviewing and updating clinical safety protocols, guidelines and policies or Facilitating debriefs and reflective practice sessions for staff following serious events or incidents to support learning and safe practice
Supporting investigations into incidents and near misses, ensuring root cause analysis and practical recommendations
Developing and delivering health and safety training, including de-escalation and personal safety workshops for employees
Partnering with People & Capability to promote wellbeing and resilience initiatives
Preparing compliance reports and analyzing health and safety data to drive continuous improvement
You will | Nga Pukenga
We’re looking for someone who combines technical health and safety expertise with clinical understanding and strong relationship-building skills.
Essential:
Current clinical registration with a recognised NZ board (e.g., Nursing Council, OTBNZ, SWRB, Psychologists Board)
Tertiary qualification in health and safety, occupational health, or related field
Significant experience in health and safety, ideally in mental health, addictions, or intellectual disability settings
Strong knowledge of NZ health and safety legislation and its application in healthcare
Experience in risk assessment, incident investigation, and compliance reporting
Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills
Desired:
Training (or experience in) in incident investigation or risk assessment
Evidence of ongoing professional development in health and safety
If you think you have what it takes but don't meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We'd love to kōrero.
Values
At Ember, we live by our values every day:
Whakapono – Passion and belief in what we do
Tino rangatiratanga – Putting people first and supporting self-determination
Kotahitanga – Working together in partnership
Kia Pono, Kia Tika – Keeping it real, honest, and grounded
Ready to make a difference?
Apply now with your CV and a cover letter telling us why you’re the right fit for this role
“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Maku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people
Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We particularly welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific and Rainbow communities.
We will interview candidates as applications come through rather than waiting until the advertisement closes. The vacancy may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.
