Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for EHS Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the champion of our safety culture and the guardian of our environmental stewardship. You will apply your engineering and regulatory expertise to identify risks, implement controls, and ensure our operations comply with all local, state, and federal regulations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with a passion for creating a safe and sustainable workplace, capable of influencing change and engaging employees at all levels. This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated EHS professional to make a significant impact on our organization's success and the well-being of our people.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Safety Coordinator or Specialist
Environmental Technician
Junior Process or Industrial Engineer with a safety focus

Advancement To:

Senior EHS Engineer or EHS Manager
Corporate Director of Health & Safety
Regional or Global EHS Lead

Lateral Moves:

Process Improvement or Continuous Improvement Engineer
Facilities or Operations Manager
Quality Assurance Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs and policies to ensure full compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT).
Conduct thorough incident investigations, lead root cause analysis (RCA) efforts, and develop and track corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to mitigate recurrence.
Lead and document detailed risk assessments, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and process hazard analyses (PHAs) for new and existing equipment, processes, and facilities.
Design, coordinate, and deliver engaging and effective EHS training programs for all employees, covering topics such as Hazard Communication, Lockout/Tagout, Emergency Response, and PPE.
Champion a proactive, world-class safety culture by leading safety committees, promoting employee involvement, and implementing behavioral-based safety (BBS) programs.
Manage all aspects of environmental compliance, including air permits, wastewater discharge permits (NPDES), storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), and hazardous waste (RCRA) management.
Serve as the primary technical liaison with regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and inquiries, ensuring professional and timely communication.
Oversee the site’s industrial hygiene program, including coordinating exposure monitoring for chemical, physical, and biological hazards (e.g., noise, air quality) and interpreting results.
Manage the facility’s emergency preparedness and response programs, including developing plans, conducting drills, maintaining equipment, and training response teams.
Perform ergonomic evaluations of workstations and manufacturing tasks, recommending and implementing engineering and administrative controls to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks.
Maintain meticulous EHS records and documentation, analyze performance metrics (e.g., TRIR, LTIR), and prepare insightful reports for senior leadership to drive strategic decisions.
Review capital projects, new equipment installations, and process modifications from an EHS perspective to ensure safety and compliance are integrated from the design phase.
Manage the contractor safety program, including pre-qualification, orientation, and on-site monitoring to ensure adherence to company EHS standards.
Drive sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing the company's environmental footprint, such as waste minimization, recycling programs, energy conservation, and water reduction projects.
Administer the site's personal protective equipment (PPE) program, including selection, fit-testing, training, and ensuring availability and proper use.
Stay abreast of emerging EHS regulations, industry trends, and best practices to ensure the organization's programs remain current and effective.
Lead the implementation and maintenance of EHS management systems, such as ISO 14001 (Environmental) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety).
Provide expert EHS guidance and support to cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, engineering, and R&D, on a daily basis.
Manage the chemical management program, including maintaining the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library, conducting chemical risk assessments, and ensuring proper labeling and storage.
Develop, manage, and execute the annual EHS budget, forecasting needs for training, consulting, monitoring, and capital improvements.
Oversee the facility's fire prevention and protection systems, ensuring regular inspections, testing, and maintenance are completed in accordance with NFPA standards.
Collaborate with Human Resources on workers' compensation claims management and the development of effective return-to-work programs for injured employees.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify safety trends.
Contribute to the organization's corporate EHS strategy and long-term roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate operational needs into actionable EHS requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for EHS project management and implementation.
Mentor junior EHS professionals and safety committee members to build organizational capability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA, DOT, NFPA).
Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis: Proficiency in methodologies like 5-Whys, Fishbone, and FMEA to identify fundamental causes of incidents.
EHS Management Systems: Experience implementing and auditing management systems like ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
Risk Assessment: Skilled in conducting Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and other risk evaluation techniques.
Industrial Hygiene: Understanding of IH principles, including monitoring for noise, air contaminants, and chemical exposures.
Environmental Permitting & Reporting: Experience managing air permits, wastewater (NPDES), and hazardous waste (RCRA) compliance and reporting.
Ergonomics: Ability to conduct ergonomic assessments and recommend effective controls in both industrial and office settings.
Emergency Response Planning: Expertise in developing and executing emergency action plans and coordinating drills.
Training Development & Delivery: Proven ability to create and present compelling and effective safety training content.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in using software (e.g., Excel, EHS management platforms) to track metrics, analyze trends, and report on performance.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documents, including policies, procedures, and investigation reports.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Influence: Ability to drive a safety culture and gain buy-in from all levels of the organization without direct authority.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions.
Collaboration: A team-player mentality with a proven ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and management.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all aspects of work, from regulatory filings to incident documentation.
Project Management: Organized and able to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced, changing industrial environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an accredited university or college.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) degree in a relevant field.
Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health & Safety
Environmental Science or Engineering
Chemical, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering
Safety Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of progressive experience in an Environmental, Health, and Safety role, preferably within a manufacturing, industrial, or R&D setting.

Preferred:

Direct experience managing EHS programs in a VPP Star site or a facility with mature ISO 14001/45001 systems.
Proven track record of reducing incident rates and driving tangible improvements in safety culture and environmental performance.