Safety Specialist

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Transparency. As a Safety Specialist you will be responsible for providing on-site observation of activities and reporting at the Vulcan Elements R&D facility in Durham, NC. You will ensure health and safety compliance with applicable regulations and existing company standards. This is a full-time, day shift position that will either remain at the Durham R&D facility or transfer to the Benson facility once the Benson facility is operational. Responsibilities Review manufacturing and test procedures and work with the team to draft the job hazard assessments that shape how work gets done. Run risk-based inspections and see corrective actions through to real closure. Own the daily tailgate program: set the rhythm, make the content matter to that day's work, and build supervisors' ability to run it independently Build and run the safety observation and suggestion program — the channel that turns floor-level instinct into trend data leadership acts on. Lead self-assessments and safety checks across the floor, including the paperwork behind them, evaluating risk and trends to address gaps and establish best in class safety performance. Monitor safety equipment inventories to ensure supplies such as PPE are readily available for employees. Provide supplemental environmental compliance support as required by Environmental department Co-develop OSHA-aligned safety policies with the EHS leader, built for the speed and variability of R&D pilot work, and pressure-test them with the team until they hold up on the floor. Own the KPIs that prove safety is working — tailgate completion, observation closure, self-assessment trends, corrective action aging — and use them to drive where attention goes next. Watch how new processes and equipment shift the risk picture, and keep documentation audit-ready as a matter of course. Facilitate root cause analysis on safety incidents and higher potential near-misses and bring that same rigor to RCAs led by others. Partner with R&D and process engineering during scale-up so safety gets designed in before new work ever reaches the floor. Lead by influence — build the kind of trust with supervisors and area owners that makes them want to own tailgates, self-assessments, and corrective actions themselves. Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education and/or experience. 4-6 years of job specific experience. Working knowledge of OSHA standards, JHA development, and incident investigation methodology. Comfort operating with real authority and autonomy. Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust and credibility. Completed OSHA 30-hour training Desired Skills Bilingual First aid/CPR/AED certified Work Environment and Demands Must have a valid driver’s license Must be able to perform activities including climbing ladders and scaffolds, lifting (up to 35 lbs), walking, balancing, and stooping. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr