EHS Manager, Pre-Operations

Invenergy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Invenergy is seeking an EHS Manager, Pre-Operations to lead environmental, health, and safety programs for wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects through development and construction phases. This role partners with Development, Construction, Engineering, and Operations to ensure safe, compliant execution.

The position requires guiding project teams, conducting risk assessments, coordinating training, and supporting permitting and environmental compliance across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five or more years of progressive EHS experience supporting utility‑scale energy, power generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of safety practices, contractor management, incident investigation, and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Invenergy EHS policies, standards, management systems, and project-specific plans across wind, solar, and BESS projects.
• Identify EHS risks early in the project lifecycle and incorporate effective controls.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness drills and response arrangements.
• Interpret and support compliance with federal, state, and local EHS laws and permits, including OSHA and environmental requirements.
• Provide site leadership and ensure project turnover to operations with proper records and training.

Skills

EHS management

Leadership

Contractor management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in safety/environmental/engineering or related

Job description

Job Description EHS Manager, Pre-Operations

Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future. This position will be open for application for at least 3 calendar days from the posting date. This position will remain open for application based on business need, which may be before or after the 3-day posting window.

Position Overview

The EHS Manager, Pre-Operations is responsible for implementing and overseeing Invenergy’s environmental, health, and safety programs for new wind, solar, and battery energy storage system (BESS). Work will include projects throughout development, pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and transition to operations. This role serves as the primary EHS partner to the Renewable Operations New Site Startup group and partner with Development, Construction, Engineering, Project Management, Operations Support, contractors, and site leadership to ensure projects are planned and executed safely, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable requirements. The EHS Manager will establish project-specific EHS expectations, provide site leadership, support permitting and environmental compliance, promote a proactive culture focused on hazard recognition, serious injury and fatality prevention, learning, continuous improvement, and verify contractor performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Invenergy EHS policies, standards, management systems, and project-specific plans across assigned wind, solar, and BESS projects.
• Partner with Development and project teams during site selection, due diligence, design, procurement, contracting, and constructability reviews to identify EHS risks and incorporate effective controls early in the project lifecycle.
• Develop, review, and implement project EHS plans and compliance activities associated with emergency response plans, SPCC Plans, waste handling, wildlife and habitat commitments, permit conditions, risk registers, and other required documentation.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness drills and response arrangements with project teams, contractors, local responders, and other stakeholders.
• Interpret and support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local EHS laws, regulations, permits, and commitments, including OSHA and environmental requirements.
• Ensure the safe handoff of completed projects to Operations, EHS regional specialist/manager including turnover of records, open-action tracking, training, and operational readiness review.
• Coordinate required EHS orientation, training, toolbox talks, and competency verification for project personnel and contractors.
• Conduct and document field inspections, audits, observations, and management reviews; track findings and verify timely, effective closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Support contractor EHS expectations during prequalification, bid evaluation, contracting, mobilization, and execution; support monitoring of contractor performance and hold contractors accountable for corrective action.
• Facilitate hazard assessments and reviews for high-risk work, including electrical work, energy isolation, energized systems, excavation, lifting and rigging, work at height, heavy equipment, traffic control, confined spaces, hot work, commissioning, and simultaneous operations.
• Provide visible field leadership and coaching to employees and contractors, reinforcing stop-work responsibility, good-catch reporting, and serious injury and fatality prevention.

Additional Responsibilities

• Create and implement policies, procedures, and work instructions in preparation of new site startup operations.
• Work with regional EHS Specialists/Manager to provide EHS safety training for new site employees, site manager, including Invenergy EHS expectations, regulatory compliance requirements, reporting, LOTO, training, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Lead or support investigations of incidents, near misses, environmental events, and significant hazards; ensure root causes, lessons learned, and corrective actions are documented and communicated.
• Ensure timely, accurate EHS reporting, regulatory recordkeeping, performance metrics, and project documentation within Invenergy systems.
• Provide regular EHS performance updates, trends, risks, and recommendations to project and functional leadership.
• Perform other EHS-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five or more years of progressive EHS experience supporting utility‑scale energy, power generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Working knowledge of industry and construction safety practices, contractor management, incident investigation, and environmental compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to influence project leaders, field personnel, contractors, and to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and report‑writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic EHS reporting or management systems.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting utility‑scale wind, solar, and/or BESS projects through development, construction, commissioning, and operational turnover.
• Professional certification such as CSP, ASP, CHST, CIH, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of electrical safety, commissioning, energy storage hazards, fire protection, and emergency response considerations applicable to renewable energy projects.
• Experience with environmental permitting, agency inspections, EHS compliance, OSHA safety standards, spill prevention, and construction environmental management.
• Experience developing EHS requirements for operating facilities, and evaluating contractor EHS performance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and relationship‑management skills.

Work Environment and Travel

Frequent travel to project sites across the United States, anticipated at up to 50%, with occasional travel on short notice.

Ability to work at active construction sites in variable weather and terrain and around heavy equipment, electrical systems, and other construction hazards.

Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and perform site walks that may involve climbing ladders or stairs, walking uneven surfaces, and accessing elevated or remote work areas.

Flexibility to work extended or nonstandard hours when required by project activities, incidents, commissioning, or emergency response.

Base Pay

$88,000.00 – $103,000.00 USD annual base salary.

Annual Bonus

10% – 40% annual bonus.

The base pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for the position. Invenergy considers a number of factors when determining base pay offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education and skills.

In addition to base pay, the total annual compensation package may also include eligibility to participate in our bonus program(s) which are designed to reward individual and company performance. Your recruiter can share more about bonus eligibility for this position during the hiring process.

Invenergy offers a variety of other benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, profit sharing, paid time off, etc.

Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future.