Health and Safety Officer

About Kā te Rama Switched On Group

Switched On Housing partners with Kāinga Ora to maintain and enhance homes, ensuring whānau have safe, warm, and suitable living spaces. Part of the Kā te Rama Switched On Group, the organisation is dedicated to positive community outcomes and has been improving living environments across Aotearoa for over 40 years. Operating from Tairāwhiti-Gisborne to Waitaha-Canterbury, Switched On Housing is a key Maintenance Partner on the Te Mahi Ngātahi contract.

Role Overview

We seek a proactive and practical Health and Safety Officer for a fixed-term contract based in Christchurch or Nelson. As a member of the national Health, Safety and Wellbeing team, you will primarily support either Canterbury or the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast regions, with occasional cross-regional support. You will collaborate closely with frontline teams, subcontractors, and leadership, focusing on practical safety solutions and honest, reliable guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide practical health and safety advice to leaders and teams.
• Conduct site visits, audits, and safety inspections across operational work sites.
• Lead and assist incident investigations, identify root causes, implement improvements, and share findings.
• Manage hazard identification, risk assessments, and corrective action tracking.
• Support injury management and facilitate return-to-work processes.
• Deliver toolbox talks, training sessions, and health and safety initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and continuous enhancement of safety systems, procedures, and documentation.
• Build effective relationships with contractors and subcontractors to ensure compliance and encourage best safety practices.
• Promote a proactive, positive, and engaging health, safety, and wellbeing culture.

Candidate Profile

• Experience in a Health and Safety role within construction, housing, facilities maintenance, or a related sector.
• Solid understanding of New Zealand health and safety legislation and its practical applications.
• Competent in conducting incident investigations, workplace audits, and inspections.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities, with influence across organisational levels.
• A collaborative mindset and confidence to constructively challenge unsafe practices.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Skilled in written reporting and documentation.
• Possession of a recognised New Zealand Health and Safety qualification is advantageous.

Benefits and Work Environment

• Supportive and cooperative team culture.
• Provision of a company vehicle, laptop, and mobile phone.
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.
• Employee recognition programs.
• A meaningful chance to impact the safety and wellbeing of communities and the business.

How to Engage

If you enjoy working closely with teams, fostering relationships, and contributing to safer workplaces, we encourage you to apply. Please get in touch for a confidential discussion or submit your application promptly to join the team.