Position Summary
The EH&S specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive environmental, health, and safety programs across metal plating operations. This position ensures full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations while protecting employees, customers, and the environment from risks associated with chemical handling, wastewater treatment, air emissions, and production activities. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in industrial or manufacturing EH&S, a strong working knowledge of plating chemistry and regulatory frameworks, and the ability to drive a proactive safety culture.
Policy & Program Development
- Establish and enforce EH&S policies and procedures tailored to metal plating operations, including chemical handling, tank operations, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste management, and air emissions.
- Ensure alignment with OSHA, EPA, state, and local regulatory requirements across all operational areas.
- Develop, review, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for high-risk activities including cyanide handling, chromate processing, and acid/caustic operations.
Risk Assessment & Hazard Control
- Conduct routine risk assessments of plating lines, chemical storage areas, wastewater treatment systems, and maintenance activities to identify potential safety, health, and environmental hazards.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce exposure risks and prevent incidents.
- Perform regular EH&S inspections and audits of production areas and wastewater systems to verify ongoing compliance.
Chemical Safety & Compliance
- Oversee safe handling, storage, labeling, and disposal of plating chemicals including acids, caustics, cyanides, chromates, and other regulated substances.
- Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical inventories, and ensure compliance with Hazard Communication (HazCom) standards.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for chemical exposure limits, PPE requirements, and emergency response protocols.
Employee Training & Competency Development
- Design and deliver EH&S training programs covering OSHA standards, chemical safety, emergency response, and job-specific hazards for all production and maintenance personnel.
- Maintain accurate training records and ensure all employees complete required initial and annual refresher training.
- Develop competency assessments and on-the-job verification procedures to ensure training effectiveness.
Wastewater & Environmental Compliance
- Manage environmental compliance related to wastewater treatment, discharge permits (NPDES/pretreatment), sludge handling, air permitting, and waste minimization.
- Monitor treatment processes, maintain environmental records, and support regulatory reporting and agency inspections.
- Identify and implement opportunities to reduce environmental impact and improve treatment system efficiency.
Incident Investigation & Reporting
- Lead investigations for all workplace incidents, near-misses, and environmental events — identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
- Maintain OSHA 300 logs and all required incident reporting documentation; submit regulatory notifications within required timeframes.
- Track incident trends and present findings and corrective actions to management.
Employee Engagement & Safety Culture
- Promote a strong safety culture by encouraging employee participation, hazard reporting, and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with production and maintenance teams to integrate EH&S practices into daily operations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during inspections and audits and maintain accurate EH&S records including training logs, inspection reports, permits, and compliance documentation.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Develop, maintain, and regularly test emergency response plans for chemical spills, fires, medical emergencies, and environmental releases.
- Conduct drills and tabletop exercises to ensure employees are prepared to respond effectively to emergency situations.
- Coordinate with local emergency responders, regulatory agencies, and corporate risk management as needed.
Continuous Improvement & Best Practices
- Continuously evaluate EH&S programs and plating operations to improve safety performance, reduce environmental impact, and align with industry best practices and regulatory changes.
- Benchmark against industry standards and participate in professional networks (e.g., AIHA, ASSE, NASF) to stay current on emerging regulations and technologies.
- Prepare and present EH&S performance metrics and program updates to leadership on a regular basis.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Occupational Health & Safety, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field required.
- Associate's degree with significant directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
Experience
- 3–5 years of progressive EH&S experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment, with preference for metal finishing, electroplating, or chemical processing industries.
- Demonstrated experience managing OSHA compliance programs, environmental permits, and hazardous waste programs.
- Hands-on experience with wastewater treatment systems and discharge permit compliance strongly preferred.
- Experience conducting incident investigations using structured root cause analysis methodologies
- Prior experience interfacing with regulatory agencies (OSHA, EPA, state environmental agencies) during inspections or audits.
Knowledge & Technical Skills
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA standards including 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and applicable EPA regulations (RCRA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act).
- Familiarity with plating chemistry and associated hazards — including cyanide, hexavalent chromium, acids, and caustics.
- Proficiency in SDS management, chemical inventory tracking, and HazCom compliance.
- Ability to interpret environmental permits, compliance schedules, and regulatory correspondence.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with EH&S management software or electronic recordkeeping systems is a plus.
Certifications (Preferred)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Associate Safety Professional (ASP) — preferred.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification.
- HAZWOPER 40-Hour certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire).
- Environmental certifications such as Registered Environmental Manager (REM) or similar are a plus.
Core Competencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to deliver effective training to diverse employee populations.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in recordkeeping and regulatory reporting.
- Self-directed and organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence and build relationships across production, maintenance, and management teams.
- Sound judgment and ability to make decisions in time-sensitive or emergency situations.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
