Position Summary
The Senior Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist provides technical leadership and hands-on support for environmental compliance, occupational health, industrial hygiene, and workplace safety programs within a manufacturing environment. This role has a strong focus on identifying and controlling environmental and employee health risks while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
The position partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Human Resources, and other business functions to translate EHS requirements into practical solutions. The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with a collaborative, approachable style and the ability to influence positive EHS practices across the organization.
Essential Responsibilities
Environmental Compliance
· Support environmental compliance programs related to air emissions, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous and non-hazardous waste, chemical management, and other applicable environmental requirements.
· Coordinate environmental permitting, regulatory reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance documentation.
· Support hazardous material and waste management activities, including proper handling, storage, labeling, documentation, and disposal practices.
· Conduct and support environmental inspections, compliance reviews, and internal or external audits.
· Monitor regulatory developments and assist with implementing changes needed to maintain compliance.
· Support environmental management systems and initiatives that improve environmental performance and reduce organizational risk.
Occupational Health & Industrial Hygiene
· Support industrial hygiene programs and occupational exposure assessments for chemical, physical, and environmental hazards.
· Coordinate or conduct exposure monitoring and sampling activities and evaluate results to determine appropriate controls.
· Support programs related to respiratory protection, hearing conservation, ergonomics, chemical exposure, personal protective equipment, and other occupational health risks.
· Evaluate workplace processes and conditions to identify potential employee health hazards and recommend engineering, administrative, or work-practice controls.
· Maintain accurate records associated with exposure monitoring, occupational health programs, and required compliance activities.
Safety & Risk Management
· Participate in incident, injury, illness, and near-miss investigations and support root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
· Conduct workplace risk assessments and inspections and partner with site leaders to address identified hazards.
· Support injury prevention, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work activities as appropriate.
· Develop and deliver EHS training and awareness programs for employees and leaders.
· Track EHS metrics and trends and use data to identify opportunities for proactive risk reduction and continuous improvement.
· Provide technical guidance during emergency response planning and EHS-related events.
Business Partnership & Continuous Improvement
· Serve as a technical EHS resource and trusted partner to employees, site leadership, and cross-functional teams.
· Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Human Resources, and other functions to integrate environmental, health, and safety considerations into business activities and projects.
· Provide practical, solutions-oriented recommendations that balance regulatory requirements, employee protection, and operational needs.
· Support regulatory inspections and communicate professionally with governmental agencies, consultants, vendors, and other external partners.
· Identify opportunities to improve EHS systems, processes, training, and overall program effectiveness.
· Demonstrate adaptability, sound judgment, accountability, and a collaborative approach when working through complex EHS challenges.
· Mentor and provide technical guidance to other EHS team members as needed.
Education & Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering, EHS, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
· 5+ years of progressive EHS experience in a manufacturing, chemical, industrial, or similarly regulated environment.
· Demonstrated experience in environmental compliance, occupational health, industrial hygiene, or a combination of these areas.
· Experience with environmental permitting, regulatory reporting, compliance audits, inspections, or agency interactions.
· Experience conducting or supporting exposure assessments, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action programs.
Preferred Qualifications
· Hands-on experience with air, water, wastewater, waste, hazardous materials, or chemical compliance programs.
· Experience with industrial hygiene sampling, exposure monitoring, respiratory protection, hearing conservation, or ergonomics.
· Experience with ISO 14001 or another environmental management system.
· Professional certification or progress toward certification such as Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or a comparable credential.
· Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
· Strong working knowledge of applicable environmental, occupational health, and workplace safety regulations.
· Ability to interpret technical and regulatory requirements and translate them into practical workplace solutions.
· Strong analytical, investigative, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build credibility and productive working relationships at all organizational levels.
· Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
· Collaborative and solutions-focused approach with the ability to influence change without relying solely on authority.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing business needs, and exercise sound independent judgment.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with EHS management, compliance, or reporting systems.
Key Measures of Success
· Timely and accurate completion of environmental and EHS compliance requirements.
· Effective identification and reduction of environmental and occupational health risks.
· Quality and sustainability of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
· Strong partnership with site leadership and cross-functional teams.
· Accurate EHS data, documentation, reporting, and regulatory records.
· Demonstrated contribution to a proactive, collaborative, and accountable EHS culture.
Physical & Work Environment
· Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.
· Ability to walk manufacturing areas, stand for extended periods, and occasionally bend, crouch, or lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
· Ability to work safely in environments that may include elevated noise levels, chemicals, machinery, and required personal protective equipment.
· Ability to travel between operating locations and occasionally to external locations based on business needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, skills, experience, and business needs in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 5 years working in a manufacturing environment as a safety professional?
Location:
- Waukegan, IL 60085 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Waukegan, IL 60085 (Required)
Work Location: In person
