Senior Advisor, Health & Safety & Environment

Reference Number : 1425 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $91,504 - $113,000

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 08/14/2026

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. 

POSITION
Reporting directly to the Sr Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, the Senior Advisor, Health, Safety and Environment acts as an expert advisor to VIA Rail's managers and operational teams. The incumbent is responsible for developing, recommending and supporting the implementation of health, safety and environmental strategies, programs and initiatives to ensure regulatory compliance, risk management and continuous improvement of HSE performance.

The incumbent plays a key role in identifying risks, analyzing complex issues, managing high-impact files, and developing a culture of prevention and environmental responsibility across the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and support the implementation of Health, Safety and Environment programs;

• Participate in the development of corporate HSE programs, standards, policies and procedures;
• Provide technical expertise to managers and operational teams on HSE issues;
• Participate in the identification, assessment and control of risks related to railway activities, infrastructure, maintenance centres and projects;
• Carry out or support risk analyses, hazard assessments and specialised studies
• Ensure the integration of HSE requirements into corporate and operational projects.;
• Advise stakeholders on best practices in prevention and environmental management.

Ensure regulatory compliance and risk management

• Monitor the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to health, safety and the environment;
• Carry out audits, inspections and compliance assessments;
• Participates in the investigation of accidents, incidents, near-misses and environmental occurrences.;
• Makes recommendations and follows up on corrective and preventive actions;
• Collaborate with regulatory authorities during inspections or requests for information;
• Support operations in resolving complex HSE compliance issues.

Promoting HSE culture and supporting continuous improvement

• Develop and facilitate awareness-raising, training and HSE communication activities;
• Participate in the development of a culture of prevention and shared responsibility;
• Support managers in the application of HSE programs
• Promote the engagement of employees and union representatives in HSE initiatives.;
• Contribute to the development and sharing of corporate best practices.

Analyze HSE performance and support strategic initiatives

• Produce and analyze HSE performance indicators;
• Prepares reports, dashboards and presentations for management;
• Identify trends and recommend improvement initiatives;
• Act as a manager or expert for corporate HSE projects;
• Participate in initiatives related to management systems, sustainability and improvement of the organization's environmental performance.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• University degree in occupational health and safety, engineering, environment, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, risk management or any related discipline;
• Minimum of ten (10) to twelve (12) years of relevant experience in health, safety and environment;
• Significant experience in an industrial, rail, transportation or heavily regulated environment;
• Recognized expertise in several of the following areas: injury prevention, risk analysis, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, environmental management, hazardous materials management, machine safety, confined spaces and working at heights;
• Excellent knowledge of the Canada Labour Code, Part II, applicable provincial regulations, and federal and provincial environmental requirements;
• Knowledge of ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and integrated management systems
• Experience in HSE management in the context of multidisciplinary projects;
• CRSP, CHSC or equivalent certification is an asset;
• Bilingualism required. Excellent communication skills in French and English, both oral and written;
• Advanced technical expertise in health, safety and environment;
• Strong ability to influence without hierarchical authority
• Functional leadership and mentoring to colleagues;
• Excellent analytical, synthetic, and complex problem-solving skills;
• Ability to manage several strategic files simultaneously;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to simplify complex technical and regulatory issues;
• Initiative, autonomy and professional judgment;
• Recognized change management and mobilization skills;
• Results-oriented approach and continuous improvement;
• Ability to work effectively in a unionized environment;
• Availability for occasional trips on the VIA Rail network;
• Availability to intervene in incidents or emergency situations when required.

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!