Sr. Director Environmental Health & Safety

Company Description

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Job Description

Position Purpose: 

The Senior Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Director, reporting to the Vice President of EH&S for Contract Operations, is responsible for the overall management and oversight of the Environmental, Health, Safety and DOT program within the Western region (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming).

This role supports the Vice President of EHS of Contract Operations and the President of the Western region by helping to establish standardized EH&S/DOT strategy and policy and providing consultation on related matters across the region.

Key Responsibilities and Focus Areas:

• Strategy and Implementation: Support the development and implementation of the Western region's EH&S and DOT strategy, interfacing with executive leadership and peers to strategically execute initiatives at the regional and project levels.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Serve as the regional contact, under limited direction, for evaluating, coordinating development, and implementing EH&S risk programs. This includes identifying and directing processes and systems for continuous improvement and compliance with all regulatory requirements, permits, rules, and contract obligations. Advise leadership on safe work methods, practices, and the elimination of hazardous conditions and environmental hazards.

• Incident Investigation: Investigate incidents, including near-miss events, to identify and reduce root causes at the project and regional level. Manage necessary internal and external regulatory reporting.

• Field Presence and Training: The role requires significant field presence, providing oversight, operational support, and direction for all EH&S and DOT programs. Work with the border EH&S leadership team to improve program effectiveness, coach operational safety leaders, and provide training to develop staff knowledge and field execution of safe work and environmental practices.

The Senior Director of EH&S is responsible for comprehensive regional leadership, strategy, and execution of all EH&S and DOT programs. This includes championing the safety culture through training and coaching, mentoring Site Safety Coordinators, and upholding ethical conduct.

Key duties involve:

• Forecasting, strategizing, and designing EH&S, DOT, and security programs for regional implementation and continuous improvement.

• Establishing annual EH&S priorities with leadership.

• Reviewing, approving, and implementing updated EH&S/DOT standards as a member of the Leadership Team.

• Leading the regional EH&S employee training program by developing resources and coaching site trainers.

• Supporting corporate standards, management systems, and safety culture assessments.

• Monitoring efficiency initiatives and new EH&S-related technology.

• Conducting risk assessments, developing risk reduction plans, and ensuring compliance with EH&S/DOT regulations.

• Managing incident investigations to implement effective corrective actions.

• Coordinating industrial hygiene support.

• Monitoring and maintaining EH&S data, reviewing permits, and presenting reports.

• Implementing leading indicator programs, behavioral-based safety, and other strategies to promote proactive safe behaviors.

• Serving as the primary contact for Crisis Management planning and training.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety or Environmental Sciences.

• Alternate degree in related sciences such as Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics may be considered with demonstrated technical competence and progressive experience in large utility management and operations.

• Master’s Degree in EH& S related field is a plus.

• Minimum of 10-years of hands-on experience in EH&S function preferably in a utility environment with minimum of 5 years in leadership or supervisory capacity with a decentralized workforce.

• Strong management experience with leading a decentralized, technical workforce.

• Experienced in Google Suite environment (preferred).

• Experience with successful implementation of EH&S/DOT Management systems.

• Experience with implementing change and documenting results.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent nationally recognized professional certification (preferred).

• Must hold a valid driver license with a satisfactory driving record to maintain minimum company required insurance coverage.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Demonstrated experience in inspiring and leading safety culture within a large matrix organization.

• Strong coaching, presentation and teaching skills.

• Strong communication (oral and written), interpersonal skills and problem solving abilities.

• Strong aptitude for strategy development and execution.

• Ability to balance changing and potentially conflicting priorities.

• Ability to self-organize, prioritize, and drive own work schedule.

• Ability to work individually, in a team and interact with all levels of employees within the Region.

• Maintain thorough and specialized knowledge of health and safety (OSHA), security (DHS) and environmental (EPA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and corresponding state requirements.

• Willing and able to work with field staff evaluating, coaching, and supporting safety and environmental compliance.

• Willing and able to travel with little advanced notification.

• Must be available outside of normal business hours to periodically respond to & assist with EH&S/DOT related emergencies.

• Proficient knowledge of Google programs including Sheets, Docs, Gmail, and Slides.Strategic mindset 

• Ability to build trusting relationships with all levels of an organization

Work Environment:

• This role operates in a dual environment, involving both a standard office setting and various field locations. Travel, including by air and vehicle, is required.

• Must be able to wear protective clothing and must be able to work internally in the physical plants and externally on the facility grounds.

• The employee will be periodically required to wear personal protective equipment and clothing where appropriate because of their work around potential hazards. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, safety eyewear, footwear, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, and specialized clothing where applicable.

• Must be able to work in extremes of hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions.

• While the position will be based out of a fixed location with flexibility of remote work in accordance with company policy, business travel ranging between 30-60% may be required on short notice.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to tolerate confined spaces, tolerate heights, lift and carry materials up and down stairs with the capacity of lifting 30 pounds.

Additional Information

Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.