Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Summary

The Senior EHS Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert responsible for advanced execution, coordination, and continuous improvement of Environmental, Health, and Safety programs. This role provides technical leadership and functional oversight of EHS activities, leads complex investigations and compliance initiatives, and mentors EHS Specialists, while stopping short of formal supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Compliance

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of EHS programs to ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, ISO 14001, and applicable federal and state environmental regulations.

• Serve as a technical lead for ISO 14001 EMS activities, audits, and corrective actions.

• Maintain and oversee OSHA and environmental recordkeeping requirements, ensuring accuracy and audit readiness.

• Evaluate, recommend, and support implementation of pollution prevention and control techniques.

Risk Management & Incident Response

• Lead complex accident and incident investigations; perform root cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.

• Analyze injury, illness, and incident trends; develop and recommend proactive risk-reduction strategies.

• Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, radiation, fire, or smoke; prepare detailed reports and formal recommendations.

Inspections & Field Execution

• Conduct advanced safety and environmental inspections, including high-risk operations and repeat findings.

• Identify unsafe conditions and oversee corrective action follow-up, including removal of defective equipment.

• Support development and tracking of department safety work orders and corrective action systems.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance and coaching to EHS Specialists.

• Act as a lead resource on assigned programs, shifts, or facilities.

• Support onboarding, training, and professional development of EHS staff.

• Serve as interim lead in the absence of the EHS Specialist Supervisor, as assigned.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare and present EHS reports, metrics, and recommendations to management.

• Translate technical and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for plant leadership and employees.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and HR to integrate EHS into business processes.

Other Duties

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of progressively responsible EHS experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Advanced experience leading EHS programs, investigations, audits, or compliance initiatives.

• Degrees above the minimum education requirement may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, and environmental compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to lead investigations and conduct root cause analysis.

• Strong analytical, documentation, and reporting skills.

• Ability to influence without authority and mentor less-experienced professionals.

• Effective communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Working knowledge of radiation safety standards and emergency response protocols.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma: Required

• Associate Degree: Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree: Strongly Preferred / Typically Required

• Certifications (Preferred): CSP, ASP, CIH, CHMM, or equivalent

Physical Requirements

• Considerable physical activity; may include lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds.

• Frequent exposure to industrial environments requiring strict adherence to safety precautions.

• Exposure to temperature extremes, dust, fumes, noise, and other manufacturing conditions.