Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Location: Syracuse, NY, with field coverage across Canal Sections 1 and 2, including Waterford and Fort Edward, NY
Work Arrangement: Hybrid—minimum 3 days onsite per week, with frequent field travel; may require fully onsite work based on operational needs
Duration: 12-month contract
Anticipated Start Date: Immediate
Experience Level: Level 1 (1–5 years)
Pay Rate: $40.00/hr on W2

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday
• 7.5-hour workday with a 30-minute unpaid lunch
• Paid only for hours worked; no paid vacation or sick leave
• No work is permitted during company and Canal holidays

Position Overview

The EHS Specialist will provide direct, field-based Environmental, Health and Safety support to Canal operations and maintenance teams across Sections 1 and 2 in upstate New York.

This hands-on role requires frequent presence at canal structures, maintenance facilities, and active job sites. The specialist will work closely with supervisors and employees to implement EHS programs, identify workplace hazards, support higher-risk activities, and translate safety requirements into practical, work-ready solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Field EHS Support and Program Implementation

• Provide daily EHS support to Canal operations and maintenance teams.
• Assist with implementing EHS programs, procedures, and safe-work practices.
• Conduct field observations, job-site visits, and informal safety audits.
• Support pre-job planning, job briefings, hazard identification, and risk mitigation.
• Identify hazards and partner with field personnel to implement practical corrective measures.

Operational Safety Integration

• Integrate EHS requirements into routine operations and maintenance activities.
• Provide real-time safety guidance during active fieldwork.
• Support the planning and execution of higher-risk activities, including:
• • Confined and enclosed-space work
  • Lockout/tagout procedures
  • Fall-protection activities
  • Maintenance work
  • Work performed over water
• Reinforce safe workplace behaviors and organizational safety expectations.

Incident Management

• Support incident reporting, investigations, and follow-up activities.
• Assist in identifying incident root causes and contributing factors.
• Track corrective actions through completion.
• Encourage reporting of near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions.

Regulatory Compliance

• Support compliance with applicable OSHA, PESH, and internal safety requirements.
• Assist with inspections, audits, and related follow-up actions.
• Maintain required site-level EHS records and documentation.

Administrative and Program Support

• Maintain EHS records, reports, forms, and program documentation.
• Support the distribution and accessibility of procedures and safety guidance.
• Track safety metrics, corrective actions, and program activities.
• Coordinate with EHS leadership regarding field implementation needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• One to three years of experience supporting or implementing EHS programs in an industrial, construction, utility, infrastructure, or field-based environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA- or PESH-based workplace safety principles.
• Strong ability to work independently in active field environments.
• Practical hazard-recognition and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate safety requirements into clear and actionable work practices.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with operations and maintenance personnel.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic outdoor work environments.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in utilities, public infrastructure, construction, or heavy-industrial environments.
• Experience supporting confined-space entry, lockout/tagout, fall protection, or other higher-risk work.
• Experience assisting with incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action tracking.
• Familiarity with EHS reporting or work-management systems.

Engagement Requirements

• Fully remote work is not available.
• The hybrid schedule requires at least three days onsite per week and may be changed to fully onsite based on business needs.
• Remote-work privileges may be revoked at any time.
• A company laptop will not be provided. A company desktop and dedicated workstation will be available for remote access from the worker’s personal equipment on virtual days.
• Candidates must have appropriate personal equipment and a reliable internet connection for virtual work.
• Foreign-national status and all visa details must be disclosed at the time of submission.
• A Benefits Waiver and Ethics Disclosure will be required during onboarding.
• Candidates must be able to travel frequently to canal structures, maintenance facilities, and active job sites in the assigned territory.