Environmental, Healthy & Safety Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Title

Environmental, Healthy & Safety Specialist

Department

Facilities

Reports to

Director Of Facilities 

 

 

SEE YOUR CAREER THROUGH A NEW LENS WITH RPO!

RPO is a global leader in precision optics, optical components, and optical assemblies. We specialize in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Systems Integration, Lens Assembly, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, and Thin Film Coating. As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs. See below one of many career opportunities to join the RPO team!

 

Position Overview:

The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for supporting and maintaining environmental, health, and safety programs within our precision manufacturing environment. This role partners closely with operations, facilities, and human resources to promote a safe workplace, maintain regulatory compliance, and support day-to-day EHS activities across the organization. The position plays an active role on the manufacturing floor, supporting safety initiatives, conducting audits and assessments, coordinating employee training, and assisting with industrial hygiene and compliance-related activities. The EHS Specialist will help identify risks, implement corrective actions, and support continuous improvement efforts related to workplace safety and environmental compliance. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, consistent follow-through, and the ability to work effectively with employees across both production and office environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation and maintenance of environmental, health, and safety programs across manufacturing and facility operations.
• Partner with department leadership, human resources, and process owners to identify workplace risks, support compliance initiatives, and address EHS-related concerns.
• Conduct routine facility inspections, safety audits, and compliance assessments to support adherence with OSHA, EPA, NYSDEC, and applicable local regulations.
• Coordinate and support industrial hygiene activities, including exposure monitoring, sampling, and related documentation.
• Track, maintain, and follow up on corrective actions, safety concerns, and EHS-related action items to support timely resolution and continuous improvement.
• Maintain OSHA 300 logs and support required internal and external regulatory reporting activities.
• Coordinate EHS-related training activities, maintain training records, and support employee awareness initiatives across the organization.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of EHS procedures, programs, and documentation.
• Support emergency preparedness activities and serve as a point of coordination with external agencies and emergency responders, as needed.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through regular interaction with employees and consistent presence within manufacturing and operational areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in environmental health & safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting EHS programs within a manufacturing, industrial, or regulated production environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and general workplace safety practices; familiarity with EPA, NYSDEC, or other environmental compliance requirements is beneficial.
• Experience conducting safety audits, inspections, incident follow-up, training coordination, or compliance-related documentation within an operational environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and follow through on corrective actions and compliance activities.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply technical procedures, safety documentation, SDS information, and regulatory guidance.
• Comfortable working directly with employees, supervisors, and cross-functional teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Experience supporting industrial hygiene sampling, environmental monitoring, or regulated manufacturing environments is a plus.
• OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, or related EHS certifications are beneficial but not required.

 

Core Competencies:

• Results-Oriented:  Motivated, hard-working and ready to level-up.
• Curious:  You never stop learning and have an insatiable desire to gain new skills and knowledge.
• Process Oriented: Well organized, demonstrating attention to detail.
• Analytical:  Possess a  “If there’s a problem, I’ll find a solution” attitude.
• Accountable:  Demanding the highest quality from yourself and team members.
• Detail-Oriented: Have excellent time management and organizational skills.
• A Team Player: Reliable, collaborative, flexible with a positive ‘get things done’ attitude.

 

Additional Requirements: 

Pursuant to ITAR, EAR, and other export compliance laws and regulations, applicants for this position must be U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. law, i.e., U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders), persons granted refugee status or asylum status in the United States, or temporary residents granted amnesty.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package linked to your experience and performance.
• 401(k) with company match and Tuition Reimbursement opportunities.
• Health, dental, vision, HSA, & life insurance.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and 11 paid company holidays.

Environment & Physical Demands:

• Works in a manufacturing and office environment supporting precision manufacturing operations, with regular time spent on the production floor conducting audits, inspections, training, and compliance activities.
• Frequent interaction with manufacturing personnel, production equipment, chemicals, and operational processes in support of environmental, health, and safety initiatives.
• Requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, and moving throughout manufacturing and facility areas, with occasional sitting for documentation, reporting, and administrative responsibilities.
• May involve exposure to manufacturing conditions including moving mechanical equipment, airborne particles, noise, oils, solvents, adhesives, cleaning agents, and other industrial materials commonly associated with precision manufacturing environments.
• Requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, frocks, or other site-specific protective equipment as required by designated work areas.
• Requires sufficient visual acuity and attention to detail to conduct inspections, review safety documentation, identify workplace hazards, and support compliance activities.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or movement of materials, supplies, or safety equipment, typically up to 50 pounds.
• May require schedule flexibility to support training activities, incident response, audits, regulatory activities, or production-related needs.
• Ability to respond appropriately to workplace incidents or emergency situations as required within the scope of the role.

 

Disclaimer:

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

 

Rochester Precision Optics is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people.

EOE/AA/Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

 

This position is scheduled for Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM. The role works closely with manufacturing operations and production personnel, requiring consistent on-site presence during core production hours. Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support training activities, incident response, audits, or operational priorities.