HSE Specialist, NA

Recurrent Energy Power Services (Canada) Inc; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Recurrent Energy Power Services is seeking an HSE Specialist in Kitchener, Ontario. The role focuses on executing safety standards across projects, maintaining OHS programs, and driving continuous improvement within the Energy Group.

The successful candidate will have strong communication, risk assessment skills, and knowledge of OHS regulations. Travel within North America may be required, with flexible hours as needed.

Qualifications

• OHS experience in construction or related field.
• College diploma or university degree in OHS or related field from an accredited program.
• Knowledge of lithium-ion batteries and high voltage electrical safety preferred.
• CSP or CMIOSH designations are assets.
• Experience with ISNetWorld (US staff applicability).
• OSHA 30-hour training or regional equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor OHS programs, risk registers, and management system components.
• Ensure job sites comply with safety regulations and personnel are trained.
• Perform risk assessments and JHA/JSA for site activities.
• Oversee contractor safety, insurance, licenses, and compliance.
• Prepare safety reports and track corrective actions.
• Support ESG/HSE questionnaires for RFPs and ESG updates.
• Travel within the assigned region as needed.

Skills

OHS knowledge

Safety leadership

Communication skills

Risk assessment

ISNetWorld knowledge

Education

OHS college/university degree

Tools

ISNetWorld

MS Office

Job description

At Recurrent Energy, our mission is to power the world with solar energy and create a better and cleaner Earth for future generations. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., we are a leading global developer, owner, operator, and asset manager of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. Through Recurrent Energy Power Services, we provide operations, maintenance, monitoring, engineering, and asset management services that support renewable energy facilities across North America. With a proven track record spanning six continents, Recurrent Energy brings together experts across every stage of the renewable energy lifecycle, from project origination, development, financing, and construction to operations, maintenance, and long-term asset management. Our work is helping shape a cleaner, more resilient energy future worldwide. Backed by the innovation, strength, and global reach of Canadian Solar, we are helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future while creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Guided by our values of Trust, Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, and Inclusiveness, we are building a cleaner world for generations to come. If you're passionate about renewable energy and driven to make a difference, join Recurrent Energy to power the world with clean energy and create a better, cleaner future for generations to come.

Position Title

HSE Specialist

Reports To

Health & Safety Manager, Americas

Location

Kitchener or elsewhere in Ontario.

Position Summary

The HSE Specialist is an integral part of the Global Energy team and must possess a positive, proactive and team focused approach to daily work. Ensures that safety standards are executed on Recurrent Energy Projects. The successful candidate will take ownership to ensure that safety standards are executed not only on Recurrent Energy site(s) but within the Energy Group and any other Recurrent Energy entity we support.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide expertise, support and assistance on the development, implementation and monitoring of the management system and project specific Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) programs, plans, risk registers, and management system components including policies, procedures, work instructions.
• Confirms job sites comply with all current safety regulations and ensures that all employees are aware of safety requirements, prepared to follow safety procedures, and have relevant training, certifications, and licenses to perform the work where applicable.
• Complete risk assessments and job hazard assessments in support of site activities
• Complete compliance monitoring on OHS related project activities against Recurrent Energy and contractor specific programs, plans and procedural requirements through formal and informal oversight inspection and auditing.
• Work with legal department to ensure all sub-contracts are sufficiently obligating the contractor for their insurance obligations depending on regional jurisdiction requirements. Including collecting contractor licenses, insurance certificates etc.
• Ensure project insurances, corporate general liability, professional liability, workers compensation and other insurances policies are implemented effectively and adequately.
• Complete in-field observations to identify and follow up on non-compliance, areas for improvement and other such gaps related applicable laws, regulations, contract commitments and Recurrent Energy’s internal corporate requirements.
• Complete contractor OHS program and plan reviews as part of tender and contractor selection processes specific to project needs and requirements.
• Proactivity recognize and encourage positive workplace OHS practices, and compliance to program and legislative requirements by project delivery personnel and contractors.
• Collaboratively interact with colleagues and project team members, site superintendents, supervisors, contractors, and other parties involved in project activities to help identify solutions to OHS compliance and program gaps.
• Prepare detailed reports and follow up on recommended corrective actions associated with completed compliance & oversight reports, incident reports, observations, and root-cause.
• Document/record safety data pertaining to project oversight activity including entering/transcribing oversights information through various internal Recurrent Energy’s information management systems according to established procedures.
• Support overall OHS program improvement initiatives.
• Support the update of the Company’s ESG report to include the storage product line.
• Activate and maintain subscriptions to other ESG portals such as EcoVadis as required by specific Clients.
• Maintain organization’s ISNetWorld subscription and meet Client requirements on the platform by updating sections of the HSE plan as needed.
• (U.S. Only) Be responsible for fire prevention, hazardous waste management, resource conservation, or other safety related activities depending on location.
• Work with any member of the Recurrent Energy team to complete ESG and HSE questionnaires for RFPs in accordance with the Company’s Sustainability and HSE plans.
• Keep up to date on latest ESG trends in the energy Storage industry.
• Ability to travel extensively within assigned region for extended periods of time to include weekends and overnight.
• Ability to work flexible hours (evenings, weekends) as required.

Requirements

• At least 3-5 years of OHS experience in an equivalent role within construction project, industrial processing, or other civil or environmental remediation experience.
• College diploma or university degree within an OHS or related field from an accredited Canadian, US or international program.
• Specific knowledge / technical expertise on lithium- Ion battery, high voltage electrical equipment including ARC flash and construction safety preferred.
• CSP OR CMIOSH designations an asset.
• Working knowledge and experience of ISNetWorld (Applicable to US staff only).
• Technical & practical OHS knowledge, on various topics such as hoisting & rigging, ground disturbance, fall protection, excavation and trenching, heavy equipment operation, emergency & hazardous material release response, electrical safety, confined space.
• Detailed practical knowledge of US State, Federal, Canadian provincial and federal or your respective local regional requirements.
• OHS legislative requirements, compliance frameworks, standards, and industry best practices.
• Exceptional communication skills well developed listening skills, and ability to interpret business and/or client needs as part of OHS compliance oversight effort.
• High attention to detail and ability to tailor communications to mixed audiences.
• Outstanding relationship management, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional ability to solve problems through soft and hard analytical skills.
• Experience completing OHS risk registers, hazard assessments, JHA/JSA, SWMS, Method Statements etc. and developing or working with behavior-based safety programs.
• Working knowledge of root-cause analysis principals and tools such as Apparent Cause Analysis (ACA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and other safety analytical tools.
• Ability to maintain and grow safety knowledge including industry best practices and pending changes in legislation.
• Knowledge and experience with ISO 9001, 45001 & 14001 preferred.
• Safety knowledge in Working at Heights, Fall Protection, Fire Protection Electrical Safety and WHMIS.
• Knowledge and practical experience in accident investigation.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Computer literate in Windows applications; Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Presentation skills are an asset.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Team attitude with a willingness to learn.
• Ability to be covered by company auto insurance plan (e.g., Good Driving Record – No DUIs or suspensions within the last 5 years and no more than two traffic violations (with less than 3 points in a violation) in the last three years.
• Experience with California OSHA requirements in US Market.
• OSHA 30-hour training required or regional equivalent.
• OSHA 510 preferred or regional equivalent.

Recurrent Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Recurrent Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and is one of the world's largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development, ownership, and O&M platforms. Recurrent Energy is focused on bringing low-cost clean energy and meaningful economic development to communities across the globe.