Advisor Health & Safety

 Reference Number : 1345 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $77 112 - $90 720

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 06/20/2026
Location: Either Montreal or Toronto

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Why VIA Rail?

We’re proud to offer a workplace that reflects the diversity and inclusivity of Canadian society. At VIA Rail, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits
• Excellent Pension Plan & Bonus Program
• Generous Vacation, Parental, and Personal Leave
• Hybrid Work Options (role-dependent)
• Unlimited Access to Telemedicine Services
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage
• Train Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
• Career Development & Training Opportunities
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Participation in Social Initiatives & Employee Resource Groups

POSITION: 
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Health, Safety & Environment, the Advisor, HSE - Projects provides specialized health and safety support throughout all phases of a project, including design, planning, execution, testing, and operational readiness.

The role focuses on leading and facilitating hazard identification and risk analyses, particularly in unionized environments, ensuring workers and union representatives are actively involved in risk identification, control selection, and continuous improvement. The Advisor acts as a subject‑matter expert to ensure project risks are proactively managed, regulatory obligations are met, and safety considerations are embedded into project decisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Health & Safety Support

• Provide hands‑on HSE expertise and technical support to project teams during planning, execution, testing, commissioning and transition to operations;
• Ensure project activities comply with applicable legislation, organizational HSE standards and project‑specific requirements;
• Support the development, review and implementation of project HSE plans, safe work procedures and controls;

Hazard Identification & Risk Analysis (Unionized Workforce Focus)

• Lead and facilitate risk assessments (task‑based, operational and lifecycle) involving union members, HSE committees and frontline employees;
• Ensure worker participation in hazard identification workshops, Job Task Analyses (JTA) and field risk reviews;
• Maintain and update hazard and risk registers; track corrective actions to closure;
• Promote application of the hierarchy of controls, with emphasis on engineered and preventive solutions.

Incident Prevention, Investigation & Learning

• Support and guide management, union representatives and HSE committees in conducting incident and near‑miss investigations;
• Apply structured root‑cause analysis methods and support development of preventive and corrective actions;
• Trend incidents and communicate lessons learned to prevent recurrence within project activities.

Field Presence, Inspections & Compliance

• Conduct site inspections, safety walks and on‑the‑job observations during project activities;
• Evaluate compliance of equipment, work practices and facilities with regulatory and internal requirements;
• Provide clear recommendations based on risk severity and operational realities.

Training, Coaching & Safety Culture

• Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks and targeted training to project teams and contractors;
• Coach supervisors, union representatives and workers to strengthen risk awareness and proactive hazard reporting;
• Promote a collaborative and participative safety culture within unionized environments.

Contractor and Supplier HSE Support

• Support evaluation of contractor and supplier HSE capabilities and work methods;
• Ensure contractor activities align with project and organizational HSE requirements;
• Monitor compliance through audits, inspections and corrective action follow‑up.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• University degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Industrial Relations or equivalent;
• Significant experience working in unionized environments, with demonstrated ability to lead joint risk assessments with union members;
• Strong expertise in hazard identification, risk assessment techniques, Job Task Analysis and incident investigation;
• Solid knowledge of Canadian occupational health and safety legislation and regulatory frameworks;
• Experience supporting projects in industrial or operational environments (rail, transportation, manufacturing or similar);
• Knowledge of HSE management systems, audits and continuous improvement practices; familiarity with ISO/CSA standards is an asset;
• Proven ability to facilitate and influence without authority in unionized settings;
• Strong analytical, synthesis and problem‑solving skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both French & English (ability to explain risks in practical terms);
• Collaborative leadership and high credibility with frontline workers and union representatives;
• Professional judgment, autonomy and initiative.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!