Objective:

Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area requires a knowledgeable individual to complete hazard assessments for our volunteer roles as our Risk Assessment Project volunteer!

Helping Hands has over 220 volunteers that interact with hundreds of community members each week. We have a wide variety of volunteer roles that aim to bring the community together with simple tasks one could do for a neighbour. Volunteers generously give of their time to help with rides to medical appointments, mentorship, snow removal, lawn care, handyman services, companionship, moving assistance, downsizing, essential errands, food rescue, Free Food Shed maintenance and so much more! Each volunteer role needs to be assessed to make sure it is safe for volunteers to do.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Research how the risk assessments will be done for one, two, or three volunteer roles using volunteer job descriptions, documents, and staff interviews, and following guidelines from Occupational Health and Safety.
2. Plan the steps that will be taken to complete the risk assessment for each volunteer role following guidelines from Occupational Health and Safety.
3. Communicate the plan to staff
4. Conduct the risk assessments following guidelines from Occupational Health and Safety.
5. Communicate any potential liability risks and advise how to mitigate them.
6. Compile the data following guidelines from Occupational Health and Safety.
7. Use the data to create volunteer-friendly Hazard Assessment documents in the standard style that is already used by Helping Hands.

A bonus project could be to assess all the hazard assessments currently used by Helping Hands and communicate any recommended changes.

Desired Profile

We are looking for someone who is:

1. Interested in supporting community impact and social good
2. Able to translate risk/safety requirements into clear guidelines/forms
3. Comfortable working independently with clear direction and timelines
4. Own computer with internet capability, and phone

Technical skills

1. Training in risk management
2. Knows how to do a risk assessment in line with Occupational Health and Safety standards.

What You Will Gain

1. A meaningful project with real-world implementation
2. Experience working with a nonprofit organization and community-based program
3. Opportunity to contribute to volunteer roles that support vulnerable populations
4. Reference letter upon successful completion of the project