Health, Safety, Environment, and Regulatory (HSER) Advisor

About the Role

Western Irrigation District is seeking an experienced HSER Advisor to lead and strengthen our Health, Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory programs across the District.

This is a hands-on, highly visible role for someone who can move comfortably between the field and the office and who understands that effective HSER is about more than policies and paperwork—it is about building strong systems, developing people, managing risk, and creating a culture where safe and responsible work is part of how we operate every day.

As the District's subject matter expert, the HSER Advisor will provide practical guidance and leadership across operations, maintenance, construction, land management, and water services. Working with employees, supervisors, contractors, leadership, regulatory agencies, and external partners, this role will identify risks, ensure compliance, lead investigations, maintain the District's COR program, and drive continuous improvement.

This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and provides an chance to have a meaningful organization-wide impact.

What Success Looks Like In this role, success means building an HSER program that is proactive, practical, compliant, and embedded into day-to-day operations.

You will be successful when:

- Employees and supervisors see HSER as a trusted resource and partner rather than simply a compliance function.
- Hazards and risks are identified and addressed before they result in incidents.
- The District's COR and regulatory compliance programs are well maintained, audit-ready, and continuously improving.
- Incident investigations result in meaningful corrective actions and measurable improvements.
- HSER requirements are effectively integrated into field operations, construction projects, maintenance activities, and contractor work.
- Leadership has clear, accurate, and timely information to make informed risk and compliance decisions.
- Employees receive practical training, coaching, and support that improves competency and safe work practices.
- The District continues to strengthen its culture of safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, and continuous improvement.

How This Role Fits Into the Organization The HSER Advisor is a key resource supporting the District's operational and strategic objectives. You will work across departments and collaborate directly with employees at all levels, supervisors, managers, contractors, leadership, regulatory agencies, and external consultants.

This is not a role that sits behind a desk waiting for issues to come forward. We are looking for someone who is comfortable being in the field, asking questions, having conversations, identifying opportunities, and helping teams find practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Leadership

- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the District's health and safety management system, policies, procedures, and programs.
- Provide visible field leadership through inspections, audits, observations, and regular engagement with employees, supervisors, and contractors.




- Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, incident prevention initiatives, and emergency preparedness activities.
- Facilitate the Joint Health & Safety Committee and support compliance with Alberta occupational health and safety legislation.
- Provide practical, timely advice to leaders and employees on health and safety requirements and safe work practices.

Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

- Lead environmental compliance programs and ensure adherence to applicable legislation, permits, licences, approvals, and reporting requirements.
- Identify environmental risks and develop practical mitigation strategies that support responsible operations and environmental stewardship.
- Coordinate environmental monitoring, incident response, investigations, corrective actions, and regulatory reporting.
- Act as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, consultants, and external stakeholders on environmental and compliance matters.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and communicate requirements and recommended actions across the organization.

Risk Management & Incident Management

- Serve as the District's subject matter expert on occupational health and safety, environmental, regulatory compliance, and risk management matters.
- Lead and maintain the District's COR program, compliance audits, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, environmental events, and hazards using root cause analysis methodologies.
- Develop, monitor, and verify corrective and preventative actions.
- Support enterprise risk management, business continuity, and emergency response planning.
- Analyze HSER trends, metrics, and performance indicators to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

Training & Culture

- Develop and deliver HSER training, orientations, awareness programs, and toolbox talks.
- Coach employees, supervisors, and contractors in safe work practices and regulatory requirements.
- Promote a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Identify competency gaps and recommend appropriate training and development opportunities.

Systems, Reporting & Administration

- Administer HSER management systems and maintain accurate compliance, training, incident, inspection, and related records.
- Prepare reports, dashboards, presentations, and compliance documentation for leadership, committees, and the Board.
- Monitor and report on HSER performance indicators, compliance obligations, and organizational objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve HSER systems, processes, reporting, and accountability.

Operational & Contractor Support





- Maintain a strong field presence and partner with departments to integrate HSER requirements into daily operations and projects.
- Support contractor onboarding, compliance monitoring, and performance management.
- Provide real-time coaching and practical guidance to support safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible work.
- Participate in operational planning and project reviews to identify and mitigate HSER risks.

What You Bring

Required

- Post-secondary education in Occupational Health & Safety, Environment, Agriculture, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in health and safety, environmental management, regulatory compliance, risk management, or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of Alberta occupational health and safety legislation, environmental regulations, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Experience with COR programs, regulatory compliance, incident investigations, audits, inspections, risk assessments, and WCB claims management.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HSER management systems.
- Valid Class 5 driver's licence with an acceptable driving record.

Key Skills & Attributes

- Strong regulatory interpretation and compliance management skills.
- Practical approach to environmental stewardship and risk management.
- Strong incident investigation and root cause analysis capabilities.
- Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to build credibility and positive working relationships across all levels of an organization.
- Strong independent decision-making, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate information into practical recommendations.
- Organized and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic operational environment.
- Comfortable working independently while also being an effective team-oriented partner.

Assets

- NCSO, CRSP, CHSC, EP, P.Ag., P.Biol., ASET, Certified COR Auditor, or equivalent designation.
- Experience in irrigation, water management, utilities, agriculture, aggregate operations, land development, construction, or municipal environments.
- Experience with environmental permitting, regulatory approvals, environmental monitoring, or emergency response planning.

Why Join Western Irrigation District? This is an opportunity to take ownership of an important function and make a visible difference across a unique Alberta organization.

At WID, HSER touches almost everything we do—from water operations and field maintenance to construction, land management, infrastructure, and seasonal operations. You will have the opportunity to work directly with the people doing the work, influence how we manage risk, and help build systems and practices that support our employees and the District for years to come.

If you are an experienced HSER professional who enjoys being in the field, solving problems, building relationships, and turning compliance requirements into practical solutions, we would like to hear from you.

Apply today to join Western Irrigation District - send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] reference "HSER06"

📌 HSER Advisor (Strathmore)
🏢 Western Irrigation District
📍 Strathmore