Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s leading independent membership-based conservation organisation. We have a proud history spanning nearly 100 years working for nature at a national level and in our communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. We are involved in hundreds of practical conservation projects as well as giving nature a voice through our advocacy work.

Forest & Bird’s practical conservation work involves a nationwide network of passionate staff and volunteers who are engaged in protecting and restoring Aotearoa's unique wildlife and wild places. They include National Projects run by professional staff, as well as projects run by volunteers in our branches, Youth Network and Kiwi Conservation Club. Our projects involve activities such as animal pest control work, planting and weeding and monitoring of threatened species across NZ.

We are looking for a health and safety expert with outstanding people skills to help keep our amazing team safe.

Are you an experienced safety and health practitioner, ideally with experience in an organisation with a distributed field-based workforce? Would you like to help volunteers to protect and restore nature across New Zealand? Do you have great communication and organisational skills, sound judgment and a practical, common sense approach?

If this sounds like you, we have a rare opportunity to join the Forest & Bird team as our new Conservation Health & Safety Advisor. This is a full-time role (part-time possible by negotiation), with flexibility on location (working from home is also an option).

You would be contributing to Forest & Bird’s conservation mission by:  

- ensuring that Forest & Bird meets all Health & Safety obligations applicable to the activities of its National Conservation Projects, branches, Youth Network, Kiwi Conservation Club, members and supporters;

- providing support and advice to Forest & Bird staff and volunteers to help them meet our requirements and ensure everyone returns home safely; and

- leading or contributing to the continuous improvement of Forest & Bird’s Health and Safety systems, procedures, guidelines, policies and culture.

Forest & Bird welcomes applications from all sectors of the community and values diversity and inclusion.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

- A qualification in Workplace Health and Safety Management equivalent to NZQA Level 4 or above, ideally NZQA level 6.

- At least 4 years’ experience as a safety and health practitioner supporting safe systems of work, safe behaviour and a positive H&S culture, ideally in an organisation with a distributed field-based workforce. Experience in the conservation or voluntary sector an advantage.

- Proven ability to review systems and practices, assess risks, prioritise needs, generate and assess options, and develop and implement action plans.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex technical information in a simple manner and adjust content and style according to the audience.

- Experience in training and mentoring. Experience with both online and in person training would be advantageous.

- Excellent interpersonal relationship management skills and the ability to a work with a wide range of people, including volunteers of different ages and backgrounds in the community.

- Highly organised, resilient, and capable of managing a range of competing priorities.

- Team player with collaborative working style who enjoys working with others to achieve goals.

- Self-motivated with strong initiative, and an ability to initiate and complete tasks independently and in a timely manner.

- Experience using H&S management software systems, online Content Management Systems, a working knowledge of MS Office programmes, and experience using a range of communication platforms.

- An understanding of the principles and practice of volunteering and volunteer programmes, and experience working with volunteers/as a volunteer would be advantageous.

If this role excites you, please email a cover letter telling us why you are the person we are looking for, with your CV, to recruitment@forestandbird.org.nz.

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 16 April, 2021. All applications will be acknowledged.

Please note: we will only shortlist candidates who have a current legal right to work in New Zealand.

You can view a copy of the Job Description on our website at https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/about-us/our-people/current-vacancies.

Please contact Karen Evans at k.evans@forestandbird.org.nz if you have specific queries about this role.