Position Summary
Foothills Rare Earths, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rare Earths Americas, Inc., is seeking a Safety & Environmental Specialist to lead, support, and continuously improve our safety and environmental programs as we expand rare earth exploration operations across Georgia.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys spending time in the field, working alongside crews, solving problems, and building practical systems. Our exploration programs include drilling operations on private lands, field sampling, vehicle travel, and work in warehouse and office facilities. As our operations continue to grow, we are looking for someone who will take ownership of safety and environmental stewardship while helping develop programs that fit a growing exploration company.
Success in this role requires someone who is approachable, respected by field teams, and committed to building a culture where people choose to work safely because they understand the purpose behind it.
This position reports directly to the Director of Exploration and works closely with exploration managers, drilling contractors, landowners, consultants, and company leadership.
What You'll Do
Field Safety Leadership
- Serve as the primary safety resource for exploration drilling and field operations.
- Conduct routine visits to active drill sites across the Georgia project footprint.
- Work alongside employees and contractors to identify hazards and develop practical solutions.
· Define emergency response plans specific to each active field site.
- Verify that safe work practices are being followed while maintaining a collaborative, coaching-based approach.
- Participate in daily and weekly planning meetings to identify upcoming risks.
- Lead contractor safety coordination and orientation.
- Lead incident investigations, near-miss reviews, and corrective action follow-up.
- Promote continuous improvement through observations and field engagement.
· Manage the facility and vehicle safety program across our operations.
Environmental Stewardship
The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to establish and lead the environmental stewardship program for a rapidly growing mineral exploration company. Working alongside operations, exploration, and leadership teams, this individual will help build environmental systems, standards, and best practices from the ground up while shaping the company’s long-term approach to responsible exploration. As the organization grows, the role will expand in responsibility and influence, with opportunities to develop new programs, support future project development, and become a key leader in maintaining the company’s commitment to environmental excellence and its license to operate as we transition from exploration to engineering and, ultimately, operations.
· Establish an environmental stewardship vision that supports environmentally responsible exploration on private lands.
- Define the environmental standards required to maintain our license to operate.
- Monitor erosion and sediment controls, spill prevention, housekeeping, and site restoration.
- Partner with consultants and regulatory agencies to understand and lead environmental permitting through multiple anticipated project phases.
- Help maintain positive relationships with the community through responsible environmental practices and clear communication.
Safety and Environmental Program Development
- Continue developing and improving Foothills' Safety and Environmental Management System.
· Understand and support a work culture aligned with principled expectations for safe work and environmentally responsible operations.
- Maintain and update company safety policies, procedures, and field standards.
- Track corrective actions to completion.
- Assist in preparing for future regulatory growth as the company evolves from exploration toward potential mining operations.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will help create a culture where:
- Employees actively identify hazards before incidents occur.
· Supervisors manage safety within their teams.
- Contractors understand Foothills' expectations.
- Policies are practical and followed because they make sense.
- Safety professionals are viewed as trusted partners.
- Every employee feels comfortable raising concerns and suggesting improvements.
Qualifications
Required
· High school diploma or equivalent, with 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in construction, field operations, mining, exploration, utilities, heavy industry, environmental consulting, or similar outdoor operations.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
- Ability to pass standard drug and alcohol pre-employment screening.
- Ability to travel throughout Georgia to active field locations.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain.
Preferred
- Associates or Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental science, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, Geology, Natural Resources, Construction Management, or a related field; or 3-5 years equivalent relevant experience.
· Emergency services or first-responder experience.
- OSHA 30-Hour certification.
- First Aid/CPR certification.
- Experience supporting drilling, construction, utilities, environmental consulting, mining, aggregates, or exploration.
- Experience developing safety programs.
- Experience conducting incident investigations.
- Familiarity with contractor safety management.
- Knowledge of environmental compliance and erosion control practices.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent walking over uneven terrain.
- Ability to climb in and out of pickup trucks and drilling equipment.
· Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, and dusty environments.
- Travel to remote field locations throughout Georgia.
Why Join Rare Earths Americas?
Rare Earths Americas, Inc. (NYSE: REA), through its Foothills Rare Earths subsidiary, is helping develop domestic sources of critical minerals essential to advanced manufacturing, defense technologies, electric vehicles, robotics, and permanent magnets.
As an early-stage exploration company, every employee has the opportunity to build programs that will shape the future of the organization. This position offers the rare opportunity to establish and grow a safety and environmental program from the ground up while working closely with leadership and field teams.
If you enjoy being in the field, building relationships, solving problems, and creating practical systems that help people go home safely every day, we'd like to hear from you.
Our Safety Philosophy
Our Safety & Environmental Specialist is expected to be a coach, educator, and trusted partner who helps teams succeed safely while maintaining and strengthening a stop-work authority culture. We believe accountability and respect go hand in hand. The best safety programs are built through collaboration, open communication, and leadership by example.
Rare Earths Americas, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Rare Earths Americas, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview, please contact our Human Resources department at 706‑846‑5063.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check, which may include a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review. A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are strictly required for certain positions. Rare Earths Americas, Inc. complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state laws when conducting these checks.
We are a drug-free workplace. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. Final appointment to the position is contingent upon a negative drug test result.
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job posting creates an employment contract, implied or otherwise; employment with Rare Earths Americas, Inc. remains strictly at-will.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have emergency services or first-responder experience
- Do you have working knowledge of OSHA regulations?
- Do you have experience developing safety programs?
- Do you have knowledge of environmental compliance and erosion control practices?
License/Certification:
- OSHA 30-Hour certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
