Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

PerkinElmer; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PerkinElmer is seeking an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist to provide dedicated EHS support at the customer site in Richmond, VA. You will act as the primary EHS liaison, identify risks, and ensure compliance with PerkinElmer programs and customer requirements across laboratory operations.

The role covers safety, chemical hygiene, waste management and incident investigation, with emphasis on training, audits, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, chemistry, biology, engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of EHS experience in a laboratory or regulated environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA and EPA requirements applicable to laboratories.
• Able to work onsite in customer laboratories and wear required PPE.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary onsite EHS representative; coach employees and promote hazard reporting.
• Ensure OSHA, EPA, state, PerkinElmer and customer compliance; conduct audits and close actions.
• Manage Chemical Hygiene Plans, Hazard Communication, SDS review and storage.
• Oversee hazardous waste compliance, monitoring results, and safety controls.
• Coordinate EHS orientation, trainings and safety meetings with stakeholders.

Skills

OSHA standards

Hazard assessment

Coaching staff

Stop-work authority

Documentation

Training delivery

Ergonomics awareness

BSL-2 awareness

Education

BA/BS in safety or related field

Job description

Job Title

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Location

Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA

Job Description

The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist provide dedicated EHS support for PerkinElmer employees at the customer’s Center of Research and Technology. Serve as the primary customer EHS liaison, proactively identify and mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with PerkinElmer programs, applicable regulations and customer requirements.

Job Responsibilities

Safety and Compliance

• Serve as the primary onsite EHS representative; coach employees, promote hazard reporting and exercise stop-work authority when imminent danger exists.
• Ensure OSHA, EPA, state, PerkinElmer and customer compliance; maintain documentation, manage self-inspections, conduct audits and walkthroughs, and close corrective actions.

Laboratory Chemical and Biosafety Support

• Chemical Hygiene Plans and Hazard Communication, including SDS review, labeling, chemical storage, compatibility, inventories and ventilation assessments.
• Assess corrosives, flammables, compressed gases and cryogens, including handling, storage, transport, cylinders, regulators, dewars and oxygen deficiency hazards.
• Support BSL-2 operations, biological risk assessments, containment, signage and biological waste management; ensure applicable biosafety compliance.

Waste and Occupational Health

• Oversee hazardous waste compliance, inspections, characterization, labeling, satellite accumulation, storage and disposal; reinforce customer waste segregation requirements.
• Evaluate chemical, biological, physical and ergonomic exposures; partner with Industrial Hygiene to review monitoring results, identify monitoring needs and recommend controls.
• Conduct PPE assessments and verify selection, use and maintenance; support respiratory protection, hearing conservation and medical surveillance.
• Assess workstations, repetitive tasks and manual handling of chemicals, waste and gas cylinders; recommend engineering and administrative controls.

Equipment Risk and Incident Management

• Assess laboratory and automation equipment for guarding, emergency stops, interlocks and pinch points; coordinate corrective actions with customer and operations leadership.
• Conduct JHAs and laboratory risk assessments; apply the hierarchy of controls and support Management of Change.
• Investigate injuries, near misses, property damage and environmental incidents; conduct root cause analyses, track corrective and preventive actions, and analyze trends.

Training

• Customer Partnership and Operational Support Coordinate EHS orientation and laboratory training; assist customer training assignments and completion, deliver toolbox talks and promote continuous improvement.
• Participate in customer safety meetings, inspections and audits; partner with laboratory and operational leadership to resolve concerns and align EHS requirements.
• Improve workflows, sampling, chemical handling and ergonomics; review equipment, analytical methods and process changes before implementation and support safe transitions.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Critical Skills

• OSHA general industry and laboratory standards, EPA RCRA and applicable state regulations.
• Laboratory safety fundamentals: chemical hygiene, hazard communication, ventilation, compressed gases, cryogens and BSL-2.
• Risk assessment, JHA, inspection and root cause analysis.
• Sound hazard judgment, including when to stop work and when to elevate.
• Coaching and influencing scientific staff and customer stakeholders.
• Clear training delivery and concise documentation.
• Self directed across multiple priorities with limited supervision.

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS in safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, chemistry, biology, engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 3+ years of EHS experience in a laboratory or similar regulated environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA and EPA requirements applicable to laboratories.
• Able to work onsite in customer laboratories and wear required PPE.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years supporting analytical or research laboratories.
• ASP, CSP, CHMM or CIH, or active progress toward certification.
• Experience supporting a customer EHS organization in an embedded or contractor model.
• BSL-2, Chemical Hygiene Plan and RCRA generator experience.
• Exposure monitoring, fume hood evaluation and ergonomic assessment experience.

Working Environment

Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory. Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high. Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function. Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position. Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste. Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals. May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

Compensation

The annualcompensation range for this full-time position is $75,000 to $90,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Equal Opportunity Employment

PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

About PerkinElmer

Are you ready to help improve the lives of millions of people and create a healthier world? When you work at PerkinElmer, that’s exactly what you’ll do. From our dedicated scientists and world‑class operations employees to our innovative R&D professionals and committed sales and service groups, we’re a unique team of 5,000+ global colleagues who come to work every day knowing we’re making a difference. Through innovation, collaboration, and believing in our mission, we strive to create an inspiring and inclusive culture for our employees, so that they can be their best and, together, create a better tomorrow.