Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Senior EHS Specialist , Environmental Health & Safety serves as the onsite EHS lead for Nucleus RadioPharma's Rochester manufacturing facility. This role independently develops, implements, and maintains site EHS programs that protect employees, contractors, visitors, the environment, and business continuity. The Senior EHS Specialist provides hands-on technical leadership across occupational safety, industrial hygiene, chemical management, environmental compliance, emergency preparedness, pest control, security (badge control and access), and incident prevention in a highly regulated radiopharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The position also partners with and supports the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) on defined radiation safety activities. This is a site program leadership role that may initially have no direct reports.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY:

• Serve as the accountable onsite EHS lead and primary technical resource for Rochester operations, laboratories, engineering, facilities, warehouse, and support areas.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve site EHS policies, procedures, risk assessments, and programs in alignment with corporate standards and applicable federal, Minnesota, and local requirements.
• Lead compliance with applicable MNOSHA and OSHA requirements, including Minnesota's A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) program, hazard communication, PPE, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, emergency action planning, ergonomics, and occupational injury and illness recordkeeping.
• Own the site industrial hygiene program, including exposure risk assessments, sampling strategies, air and noise monitoring, interpretation of results, control recommendations, and coordination of qualified external resources when specialized testing is required.
• Lead chemical safety and chemical hygiene activities, including chemical review and approval, hazard assessments, safety data sheets, labeling, storage compatibility, exposure controls, spill response, and employee training.
• Manage hazardous and regulated waste programs, including waste characterization, accumulation areas, inspections, manifests, vendor coordination, training, and required records under applicable EPA, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and local requirements.
• Conduct routine inspections and formal EHS audits; document findings, assign corrective actions, verify timely closure, and evaluate effectiveness. Is a strong partner to our Quality Assurance Team, 
• Lead investigations of injuries, illnesses, near misses, spills, releases, and other EHS events using structured root cause analysis; develop and track corrective and preventive actions in coordination with Quality and site leadership. Tracks all site EHS Metrics. 
• Maintain required EHS permits, plans, records, metrics, reports, and regulatory submissions; monitor changes in regulations and assess their impact on site operations.
• Develop and deliver role-based EHS training and lead emergency preparedness, drills, spill response readiness, evacuation, first aid/AED coordination, and engagement with local responders.
• Review equipment, facility changes, capital projects, new processes, contractors, and change controls for EHS risk; participate in design reviews, commissioning, startup, permit-to-work practices, and operational readiness.
• Serve as the site contact for EHS regulatory inspections and inquiries in coordination with corporate leadership and Legal, and ensure prompt, accurate follow-up.
• Build a proactive safety culture through visible coaching, employee engagement, trend analysis, and integration of EHS into daily decisions; coordinate occupational health, ergonomics, return-to-work, and workers' compensation activities with Human Resources.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES - RADIATION SAFETY:

• Support the RSO and authorized radiation safety personnel in day-to-day execution of the radiation protection program, consistent with the radioactive materials license and applicable requirements.
• As trained and authorized, assist with radiation and contamination surveys, personnel dosimetry administration, radioactive material receipt and inventory controls, radiological incident response, and radioactive waste coordination.
• Maintain clear separation of accountability: this position does not replace the RSO or independently exercise duties reserved to the RSO unless formally qualified, authorized, and documented by Nucleus.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline required. An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered.
• 6-8 years of progressive EHS experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, medical device, advanced manufacturing, or another highly regulated environment, including independent ownership of site-level programs.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of applicable 29 CFR occupational safety requirements, 40 CFR environmental requirements, Minnesota OSHA requirements, NFPA standards, ANSI guidance, and NIOSH industrial hygiene principles.
• Hands-on experience conducting hazard and exposure assessments and managing chemical safety, industrial hygiene, hazardous waste, emergency preparedness, inspections, incident investigations, corrective actions, and regulatory records.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and laboratory operations required; experience in pharmaceutical or radiopharmaceutical manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or progress toward an applicable certification preferred. Relevant HAZWOPER, DOT, RCRA, OSHA 30-hour, First Aid/CPR/AED, or incident command training is also preferred.
• Radiation safety or radiation detection experience is preferred but not required; the successful candidate must be able to complete assigned radiation safety training.
• Strong communication and judgment, with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical expectations, influence without direct authority, manage competing priorities, and drive actions to completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with electronic EHS, training, CAPA, or compliance management systems preferred.

PHYSICAL & WORK REQUIREMENTS: 

• Regular onsite presence in manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, utility, and office environments, with use of required personal protective equipment. 
• Ability to participate in emergency response and occasionally work outside normal business hours, including weekends, as operational needs require. 
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; climb stairs and ladders; bend, stoop, crouch, or kneel; lift or move up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation; and travel up to 10%. 

This job description summarizes the typical functions of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, or duties. Nucleus RadioPharma reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment; employment remains at will. 

Nucleus RadioPharma is an equal opportunity employer and believes everyone deserves respect, dignity, and equality. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.