EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) Advisor - Permit Issuer

Job Title

EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) Advisor - Permit Issuer

Job Description Summary

This role holds primary ownership and accountability for the organisation’s Permit to Work (PTW) system across high‑risk activities. You will ensure the PTW framework is robust, compliant, consistently applied, and embedded across operations, while acting as a trusted EHS advisor to internal teams, contractors, clients, and regulators throughout New Zealand.

Job Description

Location: Open to Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Wellington or Tauranga

Key Responsibilities

Permit to Work System Ownership (Primary Accountability)

• Act as the owner and custodian of the Permit to Work framework for all high‑risk activities across the business

• Review existing permit processes, documentation, and practices to identify gaps, duplication, and inconsistencies

• Lead the development, review, and standardisation of Permit to Work procedures, forms, guidance materials, and supporting documentation

• Ensure all Permit to Work processes align with:

  • New Zealand health, safety, and environmental legislation

  • Client standards and contractual obligations

  • Organisational EHS policies and ISO‑aligned management systems

• Issue Permits to Work for high‑risk activities across designated key accounts

• Provide technical advice and decision‑making support on permit conditions, control measures, and authorisation requirements

• Monitor permit quality, compliance, and effectiveness through audits, reviews, and field verification activities

Training, Roll‑out, and Capability Building

• Design and deliver Permit to Work training for operational staff, contractors, and Permit Issuers, covering:

  • PTW requirements, roles, and responsibilities

  • Authorisation processes and high‑risk work controls

• Lead the organisation‑wide roll‑out of updated PTW processes, ensuring consistent understanding and application

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and technical support to internal Permit Issuers

• Develop supporting tools, checklists, and guidance materials to strengthen permit quality and risk‑based decision‑making

• Conduct ongoing reviews of approved PTW training requirements and issuer competency for internal permit authorities

EHS Advisory and Program Support

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of EHS policies, procedures, and programs, with a focus on high‑risk activities including:

  • Working at Height

  • Hot Work

  • Hazardous Substances

  • Confined Spaces

  • Contractor management and permit‑controlled work

• Conduct inspections, audits, and spot checks to verify EHS and permit compliance

• Support operational teams to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls

Incident and Assurance Activities

• Support the triage and investigation of EHS incidents, near misses, and permit‑related events

• Participate in incident investigations using ICAM or equivalent methodologies

• Track corrective actions and support their implementation to reduce the risk of recurrence

• Maintain accurate, audit‑ready records for permits, training, inspections, and incidents

Regulatory and Client Engagement

• Maintain current and in‑depth knowledge of New Zealand EHS legislation relevant to high‑risk work and permit systems

• Support regulatory inspections, external audits, and client assurance activities

• Represent the organisation professionally in all matters relating to Permit to Work systems and high‑risk safety controls

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum Certificate (Level 4) in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related discipline

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an EHS role within New Zealand, ideally in facilities management, trades, infrastructure, or high‑risk operational environments

• Demonstrated experience managing, issuing, reviewing, or improving Permit to Work systems

• Experience implementing EHS or PTW improvements across multiple sites or business units

• ICAM (or equivalent) incident investigation experience

• Auditor or Lead Auditor training aligned to ISO‑based management systems

• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand EHS legislation and regulatory expectations

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and EHS management systems

What’s in It for You

• Ownership of a critical, high‑impact safety system across the organisation

• Opportunity to shape and mature the Permit to Work framework at a strategic level

• Exposure to complex, high‑risk operations and major client environments

• Strong support for professional development, training, and certification

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We have a vision of the future where people simply belong. That’s why we support and celebrate inclusive causes—not just on days of recognition, but every day. We embrace diversity across race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and veteran status.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”