Engagement Specialist (Central & South) at WorkSafe New Zealand, All Office Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Help businesses improve workplace health and safety capability
• Deliver impactful engagement across diverse industries and communities
• Newly created roles within WorkSafe Operations
• One Central Region vacancy (would consider Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Napier, Gisborne, Rotorua or Tauranga location)
• One Southern Region vacancy (Christchurch location)
• Permanent positions, expected appointment base salary range: $112,754 - $124,480

About Us

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana , nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

 WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary workplace health and safety regulator. Our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. We live by our values:

• Whakakotahi – we are united in a strong purpose
• Kōrero mai – we engage meaningfully
• Tiakina mai – we are entrusted with a duty of care

About your team / Ko te tīma

The Inspectorate works directly with businesses, workers, industry groups and communities to improve health and safety outcomes across New Zealand. Alongside regulatory activity, the team plays a critical role in helping businesses build their understanding, capability and confidence to manage risks effectively.

About the role / Ō te tūranga

This is an exciting opportunity to join WorkSafe in a newly established role focused on building health and safety capability through targeted education and engagement. As part of WorkSafe's Operations Group, you'll help strengthen our connection with businesses, workers and communities, supporting better understanding of work health and safety risks, responsibilities and good practice.

Working across your region, you'll engage directly with businesses, workers, industry groups, iwi, community organisations and other audiences through workshops, presentations and other engagement activities designed to increase capability and encourage safer ways of working. You'll translate complex health and safety information into practical, accessible messages that support understanding and positive behaviour change 

You'll work closely with inspectors, Area Managers and the newly established Stakeholder Management function to ensure engagement activities are aligned, coordinated and targeted to the audiences where they can have the greatest impact. Together, you'll help strengthen WorkSafe's presence in communities, support intervention priorities, and provide valuable frontline insights into emerging risks, trends and capability needs across your region. 

Travel is a key part of this role, with opportunities to work across the region and around Aotearoa, connecting with communities, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen engagement and relationships.

We have two vacancies, one in the Southern region (Christchurch location) and one in the Central region (Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Napier, Gisborne, Rotorua, Tauranga location).

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi

• Deliver workshops and presentations to businesses and industry groups
• Promote understanding of WorkSafe expectations and good practice
• Adapt engagement approaches for diverse audiences and communities
• Provide practical health and safety education and guidance
• Identify insights from engagement activities and share learnings
• Support delivery of regional and national engagement programmes
• Travel across the region and Aotearoa to connect and engage
• Travel regularly across the region and Aotearoa to connect, engage, and build strong relationships

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu

• Strong workplace health and safety knowledge and practical expertise
• Experience delivering education, engagement or training programmes
• Ability to communicate complex information in a clear and engaging way
• Experience building credibility across diverse industries and audiences
• A culturally responsive approach to engaging with communities
• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in health and safety, engagement, education or a related field

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

Salary range / Awhe utu

The expected appointment base salary is $112,754 - $124,480 (KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contributions are additional). From 1 April 2026 our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Free life insurance for the duration of your employment
• Health insurance & eyecare discounts
• $400 home workstation contribution
• 5 weeks annual leave
• 15 days sick leave
• A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make – your mahi matters
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities (Rainbow, Pacific, Women's and Tū Rangatira Māori Network as well as Enabled Network and our Multi – Ethnic Network.)

How to apply / Me pēhea te tono

Click Apply, complete the application form, and upload your CV and cover letter.

AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.
 
Learn more about working with us: Careers | WorkSafe.

WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. We believe different perspectives strengthen our mahi and help create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
 
If you encounter accessibility barriers in completing the application or require adjustments or support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you, contact careers@worksafe.govt.nz for a confidential kōrero.

This vacancy has been established as part of changes to WorkSafe's organisational structure after a review of WorkSafe's operating model identified opportunities to improve role clarity, ways of working and organisational effectiveness. As part of these changes, WorkSafe has established a number of new roles to ensure we are well placed to meet expectations now and in the future. Kaimahi whose roles were affected by the structure change will be given preference for all vacancies and will be considered in the first instance.

Applications close: 11.59pm, Sunday 13 September 2026