EHS Specialist-2

Onterris; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris is seeking an Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist based in Durham, NC with occasional travel to other labs in the region. The role supports the EHS Director, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives safety programs across locations.

Responsibilities include incident reporting, JHA reviews, training, and coordination of safety initiatives. Four days on-site with one remote day, four-day workweek structure in a labs environment.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of related safety or lab operations experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in safety, engineering, or related field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to interface with cross-functional teams at all levels.
• Strong problem solving, analytical and quality-focused mindset.
• Detail-oriented with good time management.

Responsibilities

• Support compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Assist with implementing corporate safety initiatives.
• Oversee local hazardous waste programs at designated locations.
• Travel up to 25% to other sites as needed.
• Handle incident reporting, investigations and corrective actions.
• Act as primary safety contact at locations and escalate to EHS Director.

Skills

Safety experience

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication skills

Problem solving

Time management

Independent worker

Detail-oriented

Regulatory knowledge

Valid driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in safety or engineering

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose,responsibilityand real-world impact.

“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected,interwovenand international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams,consultantsand professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.

When you join us,you’renot just forging acareer,you’rejoining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smartersolutionsand lasting impact.

Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

The Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Specialist will be responsible for supporting the EHS Director with ensuring onsite local, state and federal regulatory compliance, along with implementation of divisional and corporate EHS policies, programs and initiatives. The EHS Specialist will directly report to the Divisional EHS Director.

This role operates within a structured, quality-driven environment where expectations are clearly defined and accountability is essential. The pace of work is faster than average, requiring strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. Success in this role depends on delivering accurate, high-quality results through analytical problem solving while working within established processes, systems, and compliance standards.

The compensation range for this role is $70,000 - $80,000 USD commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location. This position will be based in our Durham, NC, Richmond, VA or Wilmington, NC labs, four (4)days a week on-site, with one (1) day remote.

This role requires a thorough, methodical, and accurate approach. To thrive in this role, you will also be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:

• Assists with the implementation of corporate and divisional safety initiatives and other projects, as needed.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Oversees and manages local hazardous waste programs, for designated location(s)
• Travels periodically to other designated location(s), as required (up to 25%)
• Responsible for proper incident reporting, managing communications, conducting investigations, and ensuring corrective actions are properly executed as necessary.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for safety-related issues within the designated location(s), and escalates issues to the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) as appropriate.
• Creates, manages, and reviews laboratory job hazard analyses (JHA).
• Appraises and implements new safety regulations as they relate to the Company’s operations.
• Assists with the evaluation, implementation and/or training of processes including, but not limited to, safety audits, on-site training, industrial hygiene evaluations, to ensure compliance.
• Coordinates and leads periodic health and safety meetings with local leadership.
• Attend meetings and participates in required committees.
• Ensures workplace safety program compliance for facility, including tool handling, chemical storage and hazardous waste.
• Performs other responsibilities as may be required, and as directed by the Divisional EHS Director
• Requires regular overnight travel to designated locations, up to approximately 25% of the time, including multi‑day trips as business needs require.
• Makes quick decisions independently within a defined scope of responsibility, based on accepted quality standards, policies, and procedures.
• Applies specialized technical expertise and ingenuity to solve EHS problems while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and quality.
• Carefully analyzes and tests new ideas, concepts, and regulatory changes before recommending adoption to ensure organizational compliance and quality.

Your Expertise and Skills

These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. We value professionals who demonstrate integrity, precision, and a self-disciplined approach to achieving results.

• 1 - 3 years of related work experience in safety and/ or similar laboratory operations role
• Bachelor’s degree in safety, Engineering, or related field
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products and/or PC products
• Ability to interface with cross-functional teams and all levels of personnel/management.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to apply technical, expertise-based problem solving with a focus on accuracy and quality.
• Solid organization and time management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently, managing multiple responsibilities (i.e., self-starter, self-motivated)
• Detail-oriented and methodical work style with a commitment to maintaining established standards of quality and accuracy
• Thorough understanding of rules, regulations, and compliance frameworks with a careful, disciplined approach to applying them
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment managing multiple simultaneous projects without sacrificing quality
• Ability to lift items up to 25 +/- lbs.
• Valid driver’s license
• Possess or have the ability to qualify for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and/or Associate Hazardous Materials Manager (AHMM) (preferred)
• RCRA, DOT and/or IATA certification(s) (preferred)

What You’ll Like About This Role

• A professional work environment that values technical expertise and high-quality output
• Clear tasks, duties, and expectations
• A culture of accountability where your diligence and precision are recognized and valued
• The opportunity to deliver high-quality products and services that directly impact workplace safety
• A defined scope of authority with the autonomy to make decisions within established standards and policies

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.