• Full Time
• Application Closes 21 Jun 2026
• Manawatu - Palmerston North
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

The role    

Lead and strengthen a positive health and safety culture across Horizons Regional Council, building on the strong foundations, practices, and achievements already in place. We are looking for someone to: 

• Continue our existing continuous improvement approach to safety and wellbeing across the organisation. 
• Lead the development and implementation of our safety and wellbeing strategies, policies, procedures and systems. 
• Provide expert specialist advice to management, staff, the Safety and Wellbeing Committee and Elected Members. 
• Ensure Horizons has sound and relevant health and safety practices, processes and policies in place. 
• You will play a vital role in ensuring that Horizons meets and exceeds the requirements outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and our statutory obligations are upheld to the highest standards. 

This is a full-time, permanent role based from our Palmerston North offices and reports to the People and Capability Manager.  

About you   

We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds and experience levels. However, you will bring relevant direct or transferable experience in health, safety, and wellbeing, including areas such as risk management, health and safety systems and processes, safety auditing, and/or contractor pre-qualification processes.  

We are looking for someone with: 

• Experience in health and safety management; 
• Experience in and knowledge of the relevant New Zealand health and safety legislation, codes of practice, guidelines and standards; 
• The ability to communicate effectively with a wide demographic and have a high standard of written communication skills; 
• The ability to build relationships and trust both within and outside the organisation; 
• A pragmatic and practical approach to thinking and problem solving; 
• A relevant tertiary qualification with a focus on health and safety management or a related field; 
• The confidence and oral communication skills to present in front of a group of people; 
• High levels of emotional intelligence and empathy in all situations; 
• A high level of digital capability especially with Microsoft 365, database applications and reporting tools. 
• Ideally a working knowledge of H&S in a local or central government environment or working with a board would be useful. 

Why join us? 

When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through: 

• Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service.
• Flexible family friendly work environment.
• Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
• Working together for a better environment across our region.
• A supportive and social work environment across the organisation.

About us  

The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.

Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace, so our people reflect the diversity of our region. 

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 21 June 2026 however, we will be reviewing and processing applications as they are received, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.