Environmental Health Safety Specialist

Specialized Recruiting Group - Dubuque, IA; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Specialized Recruiting Group partners with a growing manufacturing organization to hire an experienced EHS Specialist. The role focuses on hands-on environmental and safety leadership across multiple locations, serving as the primary technical resource for compliance, risk management, and sustainability initiatives.

You will develop and implement company-wide EHS programs, lead audits, manage permits, and drive a culture of safety and environmental responsibility in collaboration with operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field applicable to EHS.
• 3–5 years of EHS experience in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Experience with hazardous materials, wastewater treatment, air emissions or chemical management.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations (RCRA, CAA, CWA, EPCRA, SPCC).
• Proficiency with OSHA safety standards and industrial hygiene concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement environmental programs to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage environmental permits, sampling, and reporting requirements.
• Lead environmental audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
• Develop safety programs, conduct JHAs and risk assessments.
• Coordinate training on hazardous waste handling, spill prevention, and emergency response.
• Support capital projects by integrating EHS requirements into designs.
• Track safety metrics and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Environmental regulations

Incident investigations

Regulatory reporting

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Safety Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering

Tools

EHS management systems

Job description

Specialized Recruiting Group is partnering with a growing manufacturing organization to identify an experienced EHS Specialist to join their team. This is a key opportunity for an environmental and safety professional who enjoys being hands-on, working closely with operations, and having a direct impact on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing locations.

The EHS Engineer will serve as the company's primary technical resource for environmental compliance, workplace safety, risk management, and sustainability initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, this person will develop and implement company-wide EHS programs, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce risk, and help build a strong culture of safety and environmental responsibility.

What You'll Do

• Develop, implement, and maintain environmental programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage environmental permits, including air, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous waste, and chemical storage requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports including Tier II, TRI, RCRA Biennial, NPDES, and air emissions inventories.
• Coordinate environmental sampling, monitoring, and testing for air, water, and waste streams.
• Maintain accurate environmental records, manifests, and documentation for audits and inspections.
• Serve as the primary contact with regulatory agencies during inspections and audits.
• Oversee hazardous waste management, including labeling, storage, transportation, and disposal in accordance with RCRA and DOT requirements.
• Provide technical support for wastewater treatment operations and environmental monitoring programs.
• Conduct environmental audits and inspections, identify compliance gaps, and drive corrective actions.
• Lead environmental incident investigations and ensure corrective and preventive actions are completed.
• Support capital projects and process improvements by incorporating EHS requirements into equipment, facility, and process designs.
• Develop and track environmental metrics and identify opportunities to reduce waste, energy use, and overall environmental impact.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and industry best practices and recommend updates to policies and procedures.

Health & Safety

• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide safety programs and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and other applicable health and safety regulations.
• Conduct safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments across company locations.
• Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Process Hazard Assessments.
• Lead employee training on topics such as hazardous waste handling, spill prevention, emergency response, and workplace safety.
• Develop and maintain emergency response and business continuity plans.
• Partner with operations teams to identify and reduce EHS risks associated with new and modified processes.
• Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis.
• Track safety metrics, including incidents, near misses, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate industrial hygiene monitoring, including noise, air quality, and chemical exposure assessments.
• Manage contractor safety programs and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and support to site safety coordinators and plant leadership teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Safety Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years of EHS experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience in manufacturing environments involving hazardous materials, wastewater treatment, air emissions, or chemical management.
• Experience in metal finishing, plating, coating, anodizing, or similar industrial processes is highly preferred.
• Experience with wastewater treatment systems and environmental permitting is preferred.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations including RCRA, CAA, CWA, EPCRA, and SPCC.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials management, and chemical safety.
• Strong environmental sampling, reporting, and permitting knowledge.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to work effectively with plant leadership, employees, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and training skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and EHS management systems.

Certifications

• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification required or ability to obtain.
• HAZWOPER 40-Hour Certification preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO 14001 preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CHMM, REM, or CSP are highly desirable.

This position is hands-on and will regularly work in both office and manufacturing environments. The role may involve exposure to noise, heat, chemicals, and industrial processes. The ability to wear required PPE and safely walk, stand, climb, and conduct facility inspections is required. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required.