ES&H Program Leader — Environmental Compliance & Safety

American Electric Power; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 137,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a senior ES&H leader to drive the strategy, governance, and technical execution across environmental, safety, and health programs. The role requires coordinating compliance with OSHA, environmental rules, and permitting while guiding leadership and business units on risk and performance improvements.

The position emphasizes audits, regulatory reporting, and proactive prevention initiatives to strengthen safety, environmental stewardship, and workforce

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physical or biological science, engineering, or related subjects.
• Eight or more years of related environmental, safety and health experience. Experience working with and interpreting Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and permitting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee environmental, safety, and health (ESH) programs, compliance initiatives, management systems, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop, implement, and communicate policies, procedures, standards, and program enhancements to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, MSHA, and environmental requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance to leadership and business units on environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, safety performance, and operational risk management.
• Direct environmental and safety audits, inspections, investigations, assessments, and corrective action programs to identify hazards, strengthen controls, and improve performance.
• Anticipate, evaluate, and mitigate environmental, safety, and health risks by analyzing trends, assessing program effectiveness, and recommending solutions.
• Coordinate environmental compliance activities, permitting efforts, regulatory reporting, and interactions with governmental agencies, consultants, industry groups, NGOs, and other external stakeholders.
• Lead the development and implementation of proactive prevention initiatives, hazard control strategies, and continuous improvement processes that advance operational excellence and workforce safety.
• Monitor organizational conformance to ESH standards and hold teams accountable for compliance, performance, and corrective actions.
• Manage environmental resources, budgets, personnel, and staff development activities, including performance management, talent development, succession planning, and workforce capability building.
• Chair or oversee safety committees, leading indicator programs, event analysis processes, and other performance-monitoring initiatives.
• Support business planning and project development by evaluating regulatory impacts, advising on facility modifications, and ensuring environmental and safety considerations are integrated into operations.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with industry associations, professional organizations, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders to advance company objectives and represent the organization on ESH matters.
• Make and support decisions that impact business operations, regulatory compliance, employee safety, environmental stewardship, and long-term strategic objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Environmental permitting

Policy development

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical or biological science, engineering, or related subjects

Job description

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a senior ES&H leader to drive the strategy, governance, and technical execution across environmental, safety, and health programs. The role requires coordinating compliance with OSHA, environmental rules, and permitting while guiding leadership and business units on risk and performance improvements.

The position emphasizes audits, regulatory reporting, and proactive prevention initiatives to strengthen safety, environmental stewardship, and workforce