Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist

Role: Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist


Location: Alexandria, VA

Position Summary:


The Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist will be responsible for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving Environmental, Health & Safety programs within a high-volume food manufacturing environment.


This position will conduct workplace inspections and risk assessments, support regulatory compliance, investigate incidents, deliver employee training, monitor corrective actions, and promote a strong safety culture throughout the facility.


The Specialist will work closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and Site Leadership to identify hazards, implement effective controls, reduce workplace incidents, and drive continuous improvement.


The ideal candidate will have hands-on EHS experience in food manufacturing, food processing, cold storage, warehousing, or industrial production, along with strong knowledge of OSHA requirements and practical experience implementing safety programs on the production floor.

Key Responsibilities:


EHS Program Management

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve EHS policies, procedures, programs, and training materials.
• Support new-hire safety orientation and annual/refresher safety training.
• Monitor regulatory developments and communicate relevant OSHA, EPA, state, and local requirements to site leadership.
• Evaluate workplace hazards and recommend appropriate engineering, administrative, and PPE controls.
• Track EHS performance metrics, trends, and KPIs.
• Prepare EHS reports and presentations for management review.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready EHS documentation.

Safety Inspections, Audits & Risk Management

• Conduct routine safety inspections, audits, and workplace risk assessments.
• Inspect production areas, sanitation areas, maintenance shops, warehouses, coolers, freezers, loading docks, and chemical storage areas.
• Evaluate hazards associated with machinery, automated equipment, material handling, sanitation chemicals, thermal processes, refrigerated environments, and production activities.
• Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and recommend corrective actions.
• Track corrective and preventive actions through verified closure.
• Partner with operational leaders to ensure safety controls remain effective and sustainable.

Incident Investigation & Injury Prevention

• Lead or support investigations of workplace injuries, illnesses, near misses, and other incidents.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and identify contributing factors.
• Develop corrective and preventive action plans and monitor completion.
• Identify recurring incident trends and recommend proactive prevention strategies.
• Maintain OSHA injury and illness records, including OSHA 300 logs and related documentation.
• Support workers' compensation-related safety activities as required.
• Communicate incident findings and prevention recommendations to management and employees.

Regulatory Compliance

• Support compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, fire code, workers' compensation, state, local, and company requirements.
• Maintain records and documentation required for internal and external audits.
• Support regulatory inspections and respond to requests for EHS documentation.
• Maintain records related to:
  • Safety inspections and audits
  • Employee training
  • Workplace incidents
  • Environmental activities
  • Permits
  • Chemical inventories
  • Corrective actions
  • Regulatory compliance
• Assist with maintaining compliance with applicable environmental permits and reporting requirements.

Safety Training & Employee Development

• Deliver safety training to employees, supervisors, contractors, and other personnel.
• Develop and update training materials based on operational and regulatory requirements.
• Provide training and coaching on topics including:
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Hazard Communication / HazCom
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Machine Guarding
  • Forklift and Pedestrian Safety
  • Chemical Handling
  • Emergency Response
  • Ergonomics
  • Slip, Trip & Fall Prevention
  • Confined Space Awareness
  • General Workplace Safety
• Coach supervisors and frontline leaders on hazard recognition, safe work practices, and safety accountability.
• Promote employee engagement and participation in safety initiatives.

Environmental Compliance

• Support environmental compliance programs and initiatives at the facility.
• Assist with waste management and waste reduction programs.
• Coordinate and monitor wastewater-related activities.
• Support spill prevention and response programs.
• Assist with air and water permit requirements and related documentation.
• Support chemical storage and hazardous-material management programs.
• Maintain environmental records and assist with regulatory reporting.
• Participate in sustainability and environmental improvement initiatives.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support site emergency preparedness and response programs.
• Maintain and update emergency response procedures and evacuation plans.
• Coordinate and participate in emergency drills.
• Support spill response procedures and preparedness.
• Assist with ammonia/refrigeration-related emergency response coordination, where applicable.
• Support first-aid and emergency response activities.
• Participate in incident response outside normal business hours when required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, QA, HR, and Site Leadership to identify and resolve safety concerns.
• Build strong working relationships with frontline employees and supervisors.
• Promote accountability for safe work practices throughout the facility.
• Participate in continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Provide practical EHS guidance to management and operational teams.
• Support initiatives designed to improve employee safety and reduce environmental impact.