Occupational Health and Safety Technical Writer (1-Year Temporary) File Reference Number: IC-118

Through its services and products, CCOHS advances health and safety in Canadian workplaces, and the physical and mental well-being of Canadians.

The Inquiries Service Unit provides two primary services – Safety InfoLine and OSH Answers/Responses SST. Safety InfoLine provides a confidential, customer-friendly bilingual service to all those who contact CCOHS seeking service assistance for information in response to their questions on any occupational health and safety concern. OSH Answers/Responses SST is a free collection of over 650 health and safety documents in English and French. They are written by health and safety specialists, and presented in an easy, accessible question and answer format.

The Occupational Health and Safety Technical Writer works closely with the members of the Inquiries Service Unit. They support the planning and implementation of the Inquiries Service Unit and other relevant Project Teams by in drafting and preparing assigned documents; interpreting technical content and synthesizing information into clear language documents for individuals with a non-technical background; by participating in projects as assigned and developing, preparing and approving health and safety content for CCOHS products and services. They are also responsible for developing, gathering and disseminating technical information amongst colleagues, internal and external stakeholders.

Duties
    • Develops and prepares health and safety related information content for projects, communication tools, presentations, e-courses, OSH Answers, publications and other services by researching topics, reviewing and analyzing materials, quality assuring and editing content to provide constructive feedback.
    • Responsible for technical writing with the goal to communicate complex, technical information more easily.
    • Develop, gather, and disseminate technical information among colleagues, internal and external stakeholders. (45%)
    • Identifies, retrieves and evaluates scientific and technical information and uses professional judgment in the preparation of responses to inquiries requiring their expertise. Provides training and guidance to staff as needed. Ensures the accuracy, balance, clear language, and completeness of technical health and safety information. Communicates these technical concepts clearly. (45%)
    • Other related duties, as assigned. (10%)

Scope of Position
  • The position reports to the Manager, Inquiries Services, and is one of several employees within the Inquiries Service Unit. This position will prepare and develop technical content for health and safety products and services.

Know-How
  • The incumbent is a subject matter expert in occupational health and safety and has a sound knowledge of a wide range of topics within the discipline. The incumbent has the ability to research, analyze and assess technical issues in an in-depth manner using critical appraisal/analysis and clear language techniques in order to prepare, develop and write accurate, unbiased and comprehensive health and safety content for products and services. The position requires excellent searching skills, as well as the knowledge of and the ability to choose the best starting points for searches on external and internal databases and/or Internet sources. Knowledge of the CCOHS mandate and role of CCOHS is important to ensure content development is appropriate to the audience and in-line with the values and strategic vision of the Centre. The incumbent will serve as resource for occupational health and safety information for the department and the organization.
  • The position requires excellent verbal and written skills in order to explain complex technical information in clear language.
  • This position requires good interviewing skills, both verbal and written, to work with other staff members and negotiate health and safety related questions from incoming calls and or email (where necessary). There is contact with colleagues to exchange information, resolve problems, and clarify issues.
  • This position requires excellent time management skills and organizational skills to handle at times multiple competing priorities within established deadlines, as well as to deal with the volume and variety of content development work for products and services.
  • The incumbent is familiar with and applies adult education concepts and techniques in product development.

Problem-Solving
  • The incumbent must use professional judgment, knowledge and experience when developing content. The incumbent ensures information is supplied from credible information sources and reconciles potentially conflicting or biased information. In some cases, knowledge on a particular subject is incomplete, inconclusive or contradictory. They must determine the most appropriate information to be included, the level of detail and the best approach to explain the concepts to the selected audience. There may be occasions when specialist knowledge is required to provide authoritative advice and information when literature references and precedents do not exist; as well the ability to synthesize and communicate complex information for appropriate audiences. At times, the incumbent will make these decisions in consultation with others, but often the final decision of content rests with the incumbent.

Accountability
  • The incumbent is responsible for content development including responding to complex inquiries as necessary, writing and editing e-courses, publications, OSH Answers, presentations and other materials as assigned. All materials must be presented in an unbiased manner appropriate to a tripartite organization and at a level appropriate to the designated audience. The incumbent has the authority to review and approve work and content as assigned from various departments within CCOHS, including final review and approval of inquiry responses prepared by other members of the Inquiry team. They are also responsible for preparing and answering technical responses on compliance-related issues as well as handling complex issues in areas of expertise. There may be times in which the incumbent is responsible for representing CCOHS and the mandate when presenting materials at various stakeholder engagements.

Working Conditions
  • Physical Effort: The employee works at a computer (keyboarding and mousing to read and reply to e-mail, prepare reports, review information, etc.) for most of the workday. The work is interspersed with non-computer-based activity, such as reading, thinking, proof-reading, and photocopying. The employee has some control over the workload and can get up, stretch, and walk on a regular basis.
  • Physical Environment: The employee works at a desk and/or a computer workstation with a keyboard and a mouse for the majority of the workday. The workstation and desk are ergonomically set up, with a wrist rest, mouse rest, document holder, task lamp, as required. Guidance will be provided to assist in setting up a home office with appropriate lighting, temperature and ventilation.
  • Sensory Attention: The position requires concentration to compose and enter data, proof-read, quality assure, read routine information, communicate with others via e-mail, search for information and listen to others carefully. This position also requires concentration and attention to detail when preparing, researching and writing content of a complex nature for CCOHS products.
  • Mental Stress: There are priorities and deadlines which need to be met on a regular basis. There are interruptions from colleagues, supervisor and or telephone calls. The employee has some control over the pace of work, but no control over volume or frequency of content development. There are deadline pressures related to content development and project deliverables (where applicable). Must adjust to frequently changing priorities and deadlines, and there may be interruptions when working on complex tasks. Due to the nature of work, there are potential consequences of missed deadlines and/or errors with information that is presented. The incumbent may at times receive feedback on completed work that might require frequent changes. These changes can be complex in nature which would require the incumbent to be able to handle constructive feedback.

Specifications
  • Post-secondary degree in one of the Sciences with specialization in occupational health and safety.
  • CRSP and/or CIH/ROH designation is required.
  • Technical writing certificate or equivalent is an asset.
  • Minimum four years of working experience in the health and safety field.
  • Broad knowledge of health and safety.
  • Knowledge of technical communication techniques and clear language principles.
  • Knowledge of adult learning principles is desirable.
  • Excellent verbal (public speaking) and written (clear language) communication skills are required.
  • Experience in the interpretation and application of relevant health and safety legislation, standards, statistical information and guidelines.
  • Ability to research, analyze and organize credible health and safety information to formulate and prepare written responses and other technical resources.
  • Demonstrated competency with Microsoft Office including: Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Effective interpersonal skills and excellent ability to work in a team environment.
  • Ability to communicate in both official languages is preferred.

Salary

Within the range of

$86,982 to $105,399 (CCOHS-10) per annum.

Full-time, temporary, unionized position

Application Deadline

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Quote File Reference Number: IC-118

Vacancies: 1

To Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@ccohs.ca.

Attach resume as an MS Word or PDF document.

Notes

Note: All resumes are maintained confidential and are kept on file for a period of six months.

Attaining reliability security status is a condition of employment for all CCOHS positions.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.