Sr. Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist

Overview:The Sr. Environmental, Health, and Safety (ESH) Specialist serves as a strategic partner for leading all ESH and Security related topics within the new greenfield manufacturing plant.  The ESH role ensures the implementation and continuous improvement of all site programs for Environmental, Health, Safety and Security compliance. This position collaborates with corporate / regional / divisional environmental protection and Health and Safety for conformance to internal standards. This includes, but it not limited to the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of the activities, standards, rules, procedures and projects on safety, security, industrial hygiene, fire protection and environment areas. The role is an advisor to all employees from first line supervisors to executive leadership, with an intense focus on building the New Braunfels plant culture, partnerships, proactive problem solving, and excellent communication to deliver high quality customer service to all internal customers. 

Legal and Other Requirements:Play a leading role in the permitting processes with the authorities for facilities which require permits.Check and ensure compliance with legal and internal regulations and advise how these requirements can be integrated within standard business operations.Develop and implement ESH related processes in new plant locations or ensure ongoing programs, at a minimum, meet the expectations of legal requirements.Review legal regulations and evaluate their possible impact on the plant.Modify site systems to incorporate changes as necessary.Serve as a subject matter expert in requirements related to the location for the management team. Provide technical assistance to other team members as needed.Hazard Prevention and Control:Conduct occupational safety checks before the start of operation of equipment and machines.Utilize Risk Assessment methods to generate safety analyses and concepts as well as emergency preparedness plans.Coordinate and control the generation of analysis of accidents and evaluate them for root cause detection and corrective action effectiveness.Perform audits to ensure conformance to location programs.Ensure communication to employees regarding any hazards and controls to mitigate the hazards are completed.Ensure coordination with on-site contractors is completed.Waste Management:Define and control the procedures related to solid waste (separation, collecting, checking, classification, baling and selling/disposal) assuring the correct external disposal and legal requirements are accomplished.Develop and maintain a system to ensure compliance to Hazardous Waste and Department of Transportation regulations.Maintain any permits associated with waste management.Security: Lead the efforts to develop and implement physical security requirements at facility to include leading on-site security team through partnership with security vendor.Identify, analyze, and take action regarding all security related incidents. Human Relations and Communications:Lead the efforts to develop and implement health and safety program awareness programs. The focus should be to direct all employees with the goal to avoid accidents and occupational sickness, environmental contamination, and fires.Assist in the development of concepts, procedures and work instructions for occupational safety, environmental protection, and security.Regularly evaluate and implement improvement actions to improve programs.Advise site leaders in questions related to environmental protection, occupational safety, and security.Management Systems Support:Define, control, and ensure the application of the Safety, Health, and Environment management system elements at the location. This includes, but is not limited to, issuing policies and procedures according to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.Assist with the implementation of all Continental required systems and tracking mechanisms, reporting tools, and measures to sustain the Environmental, Safety and Health Management Systems.Finance Support:Participate in the evaluation of annual budget process and needed investments for EHS and Security area and define / propose the annual investment plan related to the area, for materials, machinery, and industrial installations.Suggest and support the planning and implementation of environmental, safety and fire protection investments and improvements for the site.Fire Protection and Health Services:Provide support to internal and external resources for fire prevention through training, trials, and resources.Utilize audits and evaluations to guarantee an immediate and adequate response in case of occupational accident / incident, industrial incidents, and fires.Participate in the site Emergency Management and Unified Command system to ensure swift, effective response in an effort to resume normal operations as safety and quickly as practicable.Ensure site health and medical services are adequate to meet the site needs as well as focus on proactive programs for site employees.Participate in site efforts in the event of an emergency/crisis situation.Monitoring and Measuring:Actively participate in on-site monitoring programs related to environment, safety, industrial hygiene, and occupational health programs.This should include emissions, effluents, noise, lighting, thermal contort, dust, gas, chemical exposures, and other site aspects.Review and evaluate the conformance to permits and standards.Evaluate the results against expected standards and define actions and investments for improvements as necessary.Participate in scheduled internal and external audits related to compliance and management system standards.Participate as an auditor for other locations as scheduled. Assist with the coordination of both internal and external audits.