Principal Rail Safety Officer

The Role - your impact and contribution

ONRSR Regulatory Officers (Rail Safety Officers) perform a key regulatory role by working closely with rail operators and their rail safety workers to undertake functions of assessing accreditation-related applications, monitoring safety performance, responding to issues and enforcing the law as required, with the aim of maintaining and improving safety. ONRSR’s Rail Safety Officers have responsibility for providing the regulatory oversight necessary to ensure rail operations in Australia are being managed safely.

This senior level role provides high level advice for and coordination of rail safety compliance strategies and applications for accreditation and registration by rail transport operators. The role also plays a significant part in the management of the Brisbane Office’s regulatory work programs in collaboration with other senior managers in the team.

If you are passionate about safe railways this role might be just what you are looking for and will include a mixture of a supportive training program, office-based and field work within active rail environments. Periodic travel will be required to various regional and metropolitan locations.

Your responsibilities

As an appointed Principal Rail Safety Officer, using your in depth understanding of the regulatory role and your demonstrated experience in or understanding of ONRSR’s policies, procedures and business processes you will:

Operate as the lead in supporting the team in the coordination and delivery of safe railway activity including audits, inspections, site visits enquiries, education and meetings.
Lead complex audits and compliance inspections as necessary.
Consistently engage in decision making in accordance with the provisions of the Rail Safety National Law and relevant ONRSR policies and procedures including directing the implementation of relevant systems, policies, standards and procedures in a consistent ONRSR way.
Lead the review of complex regulatory risk assessments.
Provide high level and quality written reports on regulatory activities undertaken including appropriate analysis and data to support the role, regulatory functions and recommendations to the Manager, Operations and General Manager.
Liaise, consult and provide authoritative advice on rail safety matters to rail safety operators regarding complex activity or program of work and ensure consistent and accurate regulatory records.
Lead and advise others on using appropriate compliance tools and actions proportionate to the situation including processing for gathering supporting evidence, preparing briefings to support decision making and the process for serving statutory notices.
Support rail safety initiatives by proactive monitoring of regulatory intelligence of Operators.
Perform the function of a Duty Officer on a roster by taking telephone calls regarding rail incidents and providing limited initial responses.

About you

While experience in the rail industry is highly desirable, we’re also keen to hear from you if you’ve had previous experience in a regulatory or safety role or you’re looking to be trained for a career in safety regulation. We’re looking for people who are self-motivated and with a broad range of skills including those with experience and qualifications in rail or other high-risk transport sectors.

In our diverse team, you should be comfortable demonstrating initiative and adopting a collaborative approach. You will have excellent people skills, be detail oriented, comfortable with technology and able to produce easy to understand reports.

Key to success in this role is that you:

Have a comprehensive understanding of principles of integrated safety management systems, risk management, auditing and their application to railway operations and the Rail Safety National Law and an excellent understanding of risk management in a business context.
Demonstrate your ability to develop and maintain positive and constructive professional and team relationships using your strong active listening, respectfulness, empathy, persuasion and conflict management skills.
Drawing on your experience and in-depth knowledge of complex regulatory theory and strategies, are able to engage with and build positive and constructive professional relationships with operators, colleagues and other key stakeholders.
Are curious and comfortable conducting conversations that enable you to recognise problems, develop solutions and implement actions compatible with the expectations of ONRSR.
Role model the ONRSR values and expected behaviours and support peer reviews that build the internal knowledge and capability of others and contribute to the identification of capability needs within the team.
Can demonstrate flexibility of approach while working as part of a team.
Work effectively with technical enterprise systems, tools and applications.
Understand the importance of post activity review for personal and organisational growth and improvement.

Our Organisation and Culture

The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) has the responsibility for regulatory oversight of rail safety throughout Australia. As an independent regulatory authority, ONRSR pursues safe railways for Australia by encouraging safe rail operations, enforcing national compliance with the Rail Safety National Law and promoting and improving rail safety across the country.

We are passionate about supporting Our People

At ONRSR we work together to deliver exceptional outcomes for Rail Safety for all Australians. Our colleagues have an impact far beyond work, and you’ll be part of a team that is contributing to enhancing safety outcomes.

You will be part of a $26 billion industry employing over 142,000 people that is at the forefront of innovation, productivity, and world’s best practice.
We invest in building the capability of our people through customised learning and development programs and by growing your curiosity and experience.
Employee Assistance Program and Peer Support Network.
Mentoring for your own development and the opportunity to mentor others.
Extra 3 days leave with Christmas closedown for all colleagues.
Salary packaging of car, laptop, or tablet.

ONRSR actively encourages productive working relationships, a healthy work-life balance, workplace diversity and development of expertise. In addition, the organisation offers a commitment to learning and development, and flexible work options. Further details on the benefits of working at ONRSR can be found at: Careers @ ONRSR

What we can offer you

We offer a 12-month structured training and development program. You will have a chance to collaborate with experienced specialists and be mentored by successful leaders as you travel to visit external sites and offices. Become part of a national team, participate in site audits, inspections and investigations and develop your skills in rail safety accreditation and safety management systems.

An organisation where everyone has a shared passion for our vision of safe railways for Australia.
The opportunity to be part of an innovative team in an organisation striving to continuously improve.
A supportive and dynamic team environment that values the work that you do and promotes a healthy work-life balance.
Professional development in accordance with our learning and development plan.

The Application Process

We would like to learn more about you, so we encourage you to apply with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and accomplishments and why you should be considered for the role along with your resume.

More information regarding the role of Principal Rail Safety Officer can be found in the Position Description located on this page.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, you will be required to undertake a criminal history check if you are one of the preferred candidates. The results may not necessarily preclude appointment to the position.

Enquiries to:

Pauline Barnett – Manager, Operations, Brisbane - 0428 500 608

Salary: $139,817 - $154,862 p.a. + 11.5% super

Apply here: Seek.com.au/Office-of-the-National-Rail-Safety-Regulator

Applications close: Sunday, 19 January 2025 (10pm)

NOTE:

You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
Applications are sought from direct candidates only. No agencies please.
Application closing dates are at the discretion of ONRSR and may change without notice.