WorkSafeBC’s
Occupational Health & Safety Engineering department plays an important role
in keeping B.C.’s workplaces safe. Our multidisciplinary team provides
technical perspectives and expertise to WorkSafeBC staff who investigate
workplace incidents, inspect workplaces, enforce our regulations, and develop
new regulations. We also have an important role in “radio frequency
coordination” – assigning the radio frequencies and wattages used in tower
crane operations and forestry yarding operations. Radio frequency coordination
helps prevent radio interference, allowing workers to have clearer, more-reliable
communication while performing high-risk work.
We
are looking for a student with a passion for wireless communication technology.
The main project for this co-op term comprises identifying different forms of
wireless communication, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and
recommending whether new forms of wireless communication should be used in B.C.
workplaces.
This is a four-month
full-time position starting in January 2027.
Working at WorkSafeBC
We
serve the workers and employers across B.C., and we do that best when we're
together. It's how we collaborate, learn from one another, and develop our
people.
This
role is currently designated as having a hybrid work arrangement and is based
in our Richmond, BC office.
This is
a unionized role and is subject to the provisions of the Collective Agreement
between the Workers’ Compensation Board of BC and the Compensation Employees’
Union.
How you’ll make a difference
In this role,
you will engage in a real-life project that directly supports our mission to
prevent workplace injury, illness, and death in British Columbia. You will
partner with a senior engineer to exercise fundamental skills project
management, technical research and evaluation, and communication. If time and
opportunity permit, additional tasks and projects may be assigned.
In this role,
you will evaluate newer wireless communication technology to determine how it
may contribute to worker safety in tower crane and yarding operations. Newer
technologies could help prevent communication interference in ways as good as
or better than what WorkSafeBC currently requires.
This evaluation may include:
- Developing assessment
criteria (e.g., the technology’s ability to be used in remote locations, system
cost, ability to prevent interference, reliability, anticipated effect on
worker safety)
- Identifying
the general types of applicable technology (e.g., radio, cellular, satellite)
and the specific systems available.
- Providing an
evaluation of the different systems available for use in the workplace
- Determining
what role WorkSafeBC would have in coordinating the use of the recommended
systems
We're looking for someone who can:
- Work
independently with minimal supervision while also understanding their role
within the team
- Independently
learn about new topics and explain technical concepts to a nontechnical
audience.
- Self-organize
and schedule own work
-
Adapt
as project deliverables are added, removed, and changed
- Work
within a diverse team
- Communicate effectively, both in
writing and verbally
Learn more: Hear from past co-op students on what it’s like to work here.
Your background and experience
- This position is best suited
for a 3rd or 4th year student, enrolled in an undergrad
or graduate level program in wireless communication or electrical engineering.
However, 1st and 2nd year students with relevant
experience are encouraged to apply.
- Previous internship/coop/academic
experience or specialization in any of the following would be an asset: radio
technology, cellular technology, satellite technology
- Strong experience
utilizing Microsoft Office Suite
Important to know
Before we can finalize any offer of employment, you must:
- Confirm you’re legally entitled to work in Canada
- Confirm you’re a registered student at a post-secondary institution and is participating in a work integrated learning program
- Consent to a criminal record check and successfully meet the criminal record check clearance
Who are we?
At WorkSafeBC, we promote safe and healthy workplaces across British Columbia. We partner with workers and employers to save lives and prevent injury, disease, and disability. When work-related injuries and diseases occur, we provide compensation and support injured workers in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We’re honoured to serve the 2.49 million workers and 263,000 registered employers in our province.
What’s it like to work at WorkSafeBC?
It’s challenging, stimulating, and rewarding. Our positions offer diversity and opportunities for professional growth. Every day, the work we do impacts people and changes lives. What we do is important, and so are the people we do it for.
Our ability to make a difference relies on building a team with a rich variety of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences that reflects the diversity of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive work culture where everyone can contribute as their best, authentic self.
Our Benefits
As a member of our team, you'll have access to services and benefits that help you get the most out of work - and life. Along with a competitive salary, your total compensation package includes:
- 4% in lieu of benefits
- 4% in lieu of vacation
Salary:
- Undergrad level: $24.45/hour
- Graduate level: $30.79/hour
Learn more: Discover who we are.
Want to apply?
- Applications are welcomed immediately, however must be received no later than 4:30 pm PST on the closing date.
- A cover letter, resume and transcript are required
- In your cover letter, state why you would like this role and how you have the qualifications.
- Submit all documents in one file (either Word or PDF files).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. If you require an accommodation in the assessment process, please email Recruitment Testing Accommodation (SM) when you submit your application.