Safety Programs

Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist (EHS) | Manufacturing | Hazleton, PA

Senior EH&S Specialist

📍 Hazleton, Pennsylvania | Onsite | Monday–Friday

Lead Safety. Drive Compliance. Shape Culture.

An established manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Senior Environmental, Health & Safety Specialist to take ownership of site-wide EHS performance at a large-scale 24/7 production facility in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership position and make an immediate impact. As the site's senior EHS professional prepares for retirement, the organization is looking for a proven leader who can maintain a strong safety culture while driving the next phase of continuous improvement across both safety and environmental programs.

You'll serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, partnering closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and corporate EHS leadership to support the organization's commitment to a world-class safety culture and operational excellence.

If you're energized by being on the plant floor, building relationships with employees, leading meaningful change, and creating safer, more efficient operations, we'd love to speak with you.

The Opportunity

This role carries a strong emphasis on Health & Safety leadership, while also maintaining responsibility for critical environmental compliance programs.

The successful candidate will become the site's primary EHS resource, helping drive safety performance, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, incident prevention, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

This position reports directly to the Plant Manager while working closely with Corporate Safety and Environmental leadership teams.

What You'll Be Doing

Health & Safety Leadership

  • Lead site-wide safety initiatives and promote a proactive safety culture

  • Serve as the facility's primary OSHA compliance resource

  • Conduct incident, injury, near-miss, property damage, and environmental investigations

  • Perform root cause analysis utilizing methodologies such as RCCA and 5-Whys

  • Develop and implement corrective and preventative actions

  • Conduct risk assessments, hazard evaluations, audits, and safety inspections

  • Drive continuous improvement of safety systems, processes, and performance metrics

  • Coordinate and lead Safety Committee activities

  • Develop and execute site safety action plans

  • Facilitate EHS training programs for employees at all levels

  • Support workers' compensation case management activities

  • Maintain OSHA recordkeeping and compliance documentation

  • Support site projects by evaluating safety impacts and recommending mitigation strategies

Environmental Compliance & Sustainability

  • Support compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations

  • Assist with management of the facility's Title V environmental obligations

  • Oversee stormwater compliance programs and environmental monitoring activities

  • Ensure proper management and disposal of solid, universal, and hazardous waste streams

  • Drive waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives

  • Support environmental permitting activities and regulatory reporting

  • Assist with air quality compliance and permit management

  • Ensure wastewater and discharge activities remain compliant with operating permits

  • Maintain environmental records and compliance documentation

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

  • Partner with operations teams to identify opportunities for safety and process improvements

  • Support Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and cost reduction initiatives

  • Drive accountability and follow-through on EHS action items

  • Prepare for and support corporate audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews

  • Monitor, analyze, and communicate EHS performance metrics

  • Build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization

What Success Looks Like

The successful individual will be:

  • A visible and trusted presence throughout the facility

  • Highly organized and capable of managing multiple initiatives simultaneously

  • Comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution

  • Passionate about continuous improvement and employee engagement

  • Skilled at influencing change and driving accountability

  • Able to build strong relationships with both hourly and salaried employees

Facility Overview

  • Approximately 85 hourly employees

  • 24/7 manufacturing operation

  • Non-union facility

  • Production operations running 12-hour shifts

  • Warehouse operations running 8-hour shifts

  • One direct report (EHS Technician)

  • Active partnership with Corporate Safety and Environmental leadership

The facility has demonstrated strong recent safety performance, recording zero recordable incidents year-to-date, and is committed to continuing that momentum through strong leadership and employee engagement.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Engineering, or a related discipline

  • Minimum of 7 years of EHS experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment

  • Prior formal safety training such as OSHA 30-Hour or equivalent

  • Strong working knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations

  • Experience leading investigations and performing root cause analysis

  • Excellent communication, presentation, training, and organizational skills

  • Strong Microsoft Office proficiency

  • Ability to work independently and effectively influence stakeholders across the organization

Additionally, Candidates Should Meet One or More of the Following:

  • Served as the lead EHS professional for a manufacturing facility for at least three years

  • Recognized subject matter expert in an EHS discipline such as machine safeguarding, fall protection, process safety, or similar areas

  • Hold a professional EHS certification including:

    • CSP

    • CIH

    • OHST

    • SMS

    • CHMM

    • CEM

    • Or equivalent credentials

Preferred Experience

  • Title V environmental compliance

  • Stormwater management programs

  • Waste management and environmental permitting

  • Corporate audit preparation and regulatory inspections

  • Manufacturing environments with significant safety and compliance requirements

  • Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement programs

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular presence within an active manufacturing environment and the ability to:

  • Walk extensively throughout the facility

  • Climb ladders and stairs

  • Enter confined spaces when required

  • Work in varying temperatures and production environments

  • Wear respiratory protection if necessary

  • Participate in emergency response activities as needed

  • Be available for occasional after-hours support and emergency response situations

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $96,000 – $132,000

  • Comprehensive Benefits Package

  • Relocation Assistance Available for Exceptional Candidates

  • Interview Travel Reimbursed

  • Long-term career growth opportunities within a stable and growing manufacturing organization

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced EHS professional who wants to take ownership of a mature safety program, influence plant leadership, mentor others, and leave a lasting impact on a facility that genuinely values safety, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement.

If you're looking for a role where your expertise will be visible, appreciated, and empowered to make a difference, we'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you.