EHS Manager

Company Overview

Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world's transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people's quality of life while protecting the environment. This goal will be accomplished through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) that can be deployed with robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation to accommodate the expansion of variable renewables.

Job Summary


As an Environment Health and Safety (EHS) Manager your primary emphasis will be to lead a diverse team in an operational setting promoting a culture of safety, sustainability and environmental responsibility. You will be responsible for developing and implementing industrial safety, laboratory safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental programs, managing regulatory compliance and fostering a safe and environmentally conscious work environment.


You will manage a cross functional EHS team in a growing environment covering several phases, such as research and development, manufacturing, construction, and operations. You and your team are responsible for the overall health and safety of the facility.


A successful candidate will need to be highly collaborative, have a lean business mindset, be able to find pioneering ways to achieve complex objectives, adaptable to a fast moving environment, be able to prioritize objectives, and align with the company's goals and risk tolerance.


Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse team of EHS professionals, while providing mentorship and growth opportunities.
• Develop, implement and maintain environmental, health and safety programs to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, laboratory, construction, and research staff to ensure proper identification and mitigation of hazards to ensure work gets done safely.
• Drive the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) process to improve the overall safety of operations.
• Strategize and implement plans to reduce incident rates and improve EHS performance.
• Implement emergency response plans for incidents and ensure employees are trained accordingly.
• Develops, reviews and conducts EHS-related training, including safety orientation, as part of the new hire orientation meetings.
• Promote a culture of environmental responsibility and encourage sustainable practices throughout the organization.
• Stay current with all environmental, health and safety regulations, inspections and standards and ensure the organization's adherence to all applicable laws.
• Prepare, maintain and submit regulatory reports, permits and documentation as required.
• Conduct workplace inspections and audits to monitor compliance and to identify areas for improvement.
• Oversee hazardous material program including inventory, disposal, recycling, and handling.
• Partner and manage relationships with vendors to assist with the environment, health and safety of the facility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, management and external agencies to ensure alignment with safety goals.
• Ensure that EHS is providing opportunities for direct and honest communication including leading safety committee meetings, toolbox talks, lunch and learns, safety moments, etc.
• Maintains regular engagement with employees and operational areas to understand workflow and operational processes, identify emerging risks and support EHS solutions.
• Investigate all incidents and accidents, determining root causes and implementing corrective and preventive measures.
• Maintain incident records and report findings to upper management and regulatory authorities as required through the First Report of Incident process.
• Collect, analyze and report data related to safety performance.
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement based on data analysis.
• Drive results through the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) process, while leveraging partnerships with key contributors.
• Be a first responder and part of Emergency Response Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety, or a related field.
• 5+ years of management of EHS programs focusing on safety management, regulatory compliance, risk management, and program development.
• 5+ years of direct management experience.
• Must have expertise in a discipline within EHS, certification is preferred.
• Proven track record in working with others to accomplish objectives.
• Proven track record of developing a strong safety culture and reducing recordable incident rates.
• Professional certification relevant to EHS, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CHI), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or another relevant credential is preferred but not required.
• Experience supporting EHS activities across multiple operating environments, such as research and development, laboratories, manufacturing, construction, and facility operations is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• In-depth understanding of local, state and federal EH&S regulations applicable to the industry.
• Knowledge of recognized hazard-identification, risk-assessment and control methodologies, including Job Hazard Analysis and the hierarchy of controls.
• Knowledge of incident-investigation and root-cause-analysis principles and corrective-action practices.
• Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve EHS programs, procedures and management systems.
• Ability to assess complex or changing work processes and recommend practical, risk-based EHS controls.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and communicate their operational implications to employees and management.
• Ability to analyze EHS data and performance metrics, identify trends and develop appropriate improvement strategies.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop EHS professionals and establish clear priorities and accountability.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across operational, technical, research, maintenance, construction, and management functions.
• Ability to influence decisions and promote safe work practices without relying solely on direct authority.
• Ability to communicate technical EHS information clearly through written procedures, reports, presentations, training, and employee engagement.
• Ability to manage multiple EHS priorities in a dynamic R&D and operational environment, while applying sound judgment to risk-based decisions.
• Ability to lead or support emergency preparedness and response activities within the scope of assigned training and responsibilities.
• Ability to engage employees at all organizational levels and encourage reporting, participation and continuous improvement in EHS programs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Capability to conduct thorough incident investigations and risk assessments.
• Strong knowledge of EHS regulations, codes and standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.
• Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges and issues.

Physical Demands

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts, etc..
• Setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding, ladders).
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 35 pounds in all directions.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Low temperatures.
• High temperatures.
• Outdoor environment or elements, such as precipitation and wind.
• Noisy environments.
• Small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions.
• Elevated heights.

Safety and PPE

• Manipulating, cleaning and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, etc..
• Handling of Beryllium (Be) containing material.

Travel

• Some travel may be required, up to 10%.

Certification

• Professional certification relevant to EHS, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CHI), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or another relevant credential is preferred but not required.

Additional Requirements

• Seldom requires working weekends.
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility.
• Seldom requires non-standard work-week hours.
• Seldom requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines.

• Onsite: #LI-Onsite

About our Benefits

We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Kairos Power participates in E-Verify.

Candidates only, no recruiters or agencies please.

Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy's general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply.