Emergency Response Specialist

Koch; Wever (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Koch Fertilizer in Wever, Iowa seeks an Emergency Response Specialist to lead site emergency preparedness and response programs, partnering with Operations, Maintenance and EHS teams to advance safety, regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

You will direct the Emergency Response Team, manage incident response activities, develop training and drills, maintain fire protection systems and gas detection equipment, and coordinate with local responders to strengthen readiness and life

Qualifications

• Three+ years in health, safety & environmental programs or emergency response.
• Experience with safety regulations and compliance in industrial settings.
• Ability to obtain membership on the Emergency Response Team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site Emergency Response Team and related fire/HazMat/technical rescue programs.
• Coordinate with internal and external responders for timely incidents.
• Develop and evaluate ERT training and drills.
• Maintain fire protection systems, gas detection, and emergency comms readiness.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, and HSE to implement safety initiatives.
• Support incident investigations and root cause analysis.

Skills

HSE programs

Emergency response procedures

Industrial safety

Regulatory compliance

Outdoor work readiness

Education

B.S. in Environmental Health & Safety

Emergency Management/Fire Safety degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Your Job

Koch Fertilizer is seeking an Emergency Response Specialist to support our Wever, Iowa facility. In this role, you will provide leadership for site emergency preparedness and response programs while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) teams to advance safety performance, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This position offers the opportunity to lead critical emergency response capabilities while helping protect people, assets, and the environment.

Our Team

The Emergency Response Specialist is a key member of the site EHS organization and serves as the primary resource for emergency response, fire protection systems, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and life safety programs. This role works closely with plant leadership, operations personnel, contractors, and community emergency response organizations.

What You Will Do

• Lead and support the site Emergency Response Team (ERT), including Fire Brigade, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Technical Rescue, and Hazardous Materials response programs.
• Manage emergency incident response activities and coordinate with internal stakeholders and external emergency response agencies to ensure effective and timely response.
• Develop, facilitate, and evaluate ERT training programs, including fire, technical rescue, hazardous materials, medical response, and emergency preparedness drills.
• Develop and maintain emergency response strategies, pre-plans, confined space rescue plans, and site-specific response procedures to ensure readiness for potential emergencies.
• Serve as the site subject matter expert for fire and life safety programs, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, confined space entry, excavation safety, and related regulatory requirements.
• Manage the inspection, testing, maintenance, and readiness of fire protection systems, emergency response equipment, monitoring equipment, gas detection devices, and emergency communication systems.
• Support injury response and incident investigations, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to strengthen safety performance and reduce future risk.
• Build and maintain relationships with local emergency management agencies, fire departments, and community response organizations through meetings, training, and coordinated preparedness activities.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and HSE teams to implement safety initiatives and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry requirements.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Three (3) or more years of experience supporting health, safety and environmental programs, emergency response, military operations, industrial safety, or a related field.
• Experience working with safety regulations, emergency response procedures, or compliance requirements within an industrial environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain membership on the Emergency Response Team, including fire, hazardous materials, and technical rescue response capabilities.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physical duties including climbing ladders, wearing required personal protective equipment, lifting up to 50 pounds, wearing a respirator, and entering confined spaces when required.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Previous experience in fertilizer, chemical, refining, manufacturing, or other process industry operations.
• A college degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Emergency Management, Fire Safety, or a related technical field.
• Experience leading emergency response teams, fire brigades, hazardous materials response programs, or technical rescue operations.
• Knowledge of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards.
• Experience supporting fire protection systems, emergency communication systems, and gas detection equipment.
• Experience implementing safety improvements, developing key performance indicators (KPIs), and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience using SAP or similar maintenance and work management systems.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch Ag & Energy Solutions company, Koch Fertilizer delivers a full line of fertilizers designed to boost crop performance and help growers reach their yields. Our team also brings logistical expertise and a wide range of invaluable services, from delivered freight and logistics capabilities to online shipment tracking.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most.

Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).