HSE Advisor – Field Operations

Ponder-Environmental-Services,-Inc.-3; Benicia (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Life, short-term & long-term DI

Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Pay

Job summary

Ponder Environmental Services is seeking an experienced HSE Advisor to support environmental and field operations. This hands-on role involves coaching crews, conducting safety audits, and supporting incident investigations in active industrial environments.

The position requires 2+ years field safety experience, a current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, and strong knowledge of Cal/OSHA, OSHA, DOT, and EPA requirements. Travel to project sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of field safety experience in refining, pipeline, chemical, environmental services, or similar environments.
• Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification with annual 8-hour refresher.
• Valid California driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, Federal OSHA, DOT, and EPA requirements.
• Experience with confined space entry, air monitoring, respiratory protection, hazmat, and PPE.
• Ability to coach employees and address unsafe conditions in the field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work with field crews, supervisors, customers, and management.
• Ability to conduct safety training and communicate technical information clearly.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Ability to pass respirator medical evaluation and fit test; participate in HAZWOPER medical surveillance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong safety presence at active jobsites (refineries, terminals, pipelines, industrial facilities).
• Partner with Project Managers, Supervisors, and field crews to identify hazards and implement safe practices.
• Review JHAs/JSAs, permits, PPE requirements, and site-specific safety plans.
• Conduct field safety audits and observations.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority when unsafe conditions are identified.
• Support emergency spill and hazmat response as field Safety Officer.
• Conduct atmospheric monitoring for hazards (LEL, O2, H2S, CO, VOCs, benzene).
• Audit confined space entry and rescue operations (permits, LOTO, ventilation, air monitoring).
• Assist with tank cleaning, degassing, vapor control, vacuum truck, hydroblasting operations.
• Support DOT and fleet safety compliance (driver qualification, vehicle inspections, hazmat transport, drug/alcohol).
• Lead or assist with incident/near-miss investigations and corrective actions.
• Deliver safety training and new-hire orientation (HAZWOPER, PPE, respiratory protection, Hazard Communication, fall protection).
• Maintain and inspect safety equipment and gas monitors.

Skills

Field safety

HAZWOPER 40h

Cal/OSHA knowledge

Communication

Incident investigations

Safety training

Documentation

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

HSE Advisor – Field Operations

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1035

Salary Range: $38.00 To $46.00 Hourly

About the Company

Ponder Environmental Services offers a full range of standard and on-call emergency environmental services to oil and gas exploration and production, pipeline terminals, refineries, manufacturers, processors and public entities throughout Northern and Central California. Our services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Bakersfield include storage tank cleaning, vacuum truck services, roll-off services, robotic manway cannons, temporary storage tanks, spill response, hazmat cleaning and packing, degassing and vapor control, confined space rescue services and installation of temporary and permanent fencing.

About the Job

Ponder Environmental Services is seeking an experienced HSE Advisor to support our environmental and industrial field operations. This is a hands-on, field-based safety position for someone who is comfortable working alongside crews in active industrial environments and helping ensure work is performed safely and in compliance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Our operations include emergency spill response, hazardous materials cleanup, confined space entry and rescue, storage tank cleaning and degassing, vacuum truck and hydroblasting services, hazardous waste transportation, and remediation.

The HSE Advisor will regularly visit project sites, coach employees and supervisors, conduct safety audits, support training and incident investigations, and serve as a safety resource during emergency response operations.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain a strong safety presence at active jobsites, including refineries, terminals, pipelines, and industrial facilities.
• Partner with Project Managers, Supervisors, and field crews to identify hazards and implement safe work practices.
• Review JHAs/JSAs, permits, PPE requirements, and site-specific safety plans.
• Conduct field safety audits, inspections, and behavior-based safety observations.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority when unsafe or immediately dangerous conditions are identified.
• Support emergency spill and hazardous materials response as a field Safety Officer.
• Conduct and document atmospheric monitoring for hazards such as LEL, oxygen, H2S, CO, VOCs, and benzene.
• Audit confined space entry and rescue operations, including permits, LOTO, ventilation, air monitoring, rescue planning, and equipment.
• Support safe tank cleaning, degassing, vapor control, vacuum truck, and hydroblasting operations.
• Assist with DOT and fleet safety compliance, including driver qualification, vehicle inspections, hazardous materials transportation, and drug and alcohol program requirements.
• Lead or assist with incident and near-miss investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Deliver safety training and new-hire orientation on topics such as HAZWOPER, PPE, respiratory protection, Hazard Communication, fall protection, heat illness prevention, and confined space.
• Maintain and inspect safety equipment, gas monitors, fall protection equipment, respiratory protection equipment, and PPE.
• Serve as a safety point of contact for customers and participate in customer safety meetings.
• Support company safety programs, documentation, recordkeeping, and contractor prequalification requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 2 years of field safety experience within refining, pipeline, chemical, environmental services, industrial cleaning, or a similar industrial environment.
• Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification with annual 8-hour refresher.
• Valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, Federal OSHA, DOT, and EPA requirements applicable to industrial and environmental field operations.
• Experience with confined space entry, air monitoring, respiratory protection, hazardous materials, and PPE.
• Ability to confidently coach employees and address unsafe conditions in the field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with field crews, supervisors, customers, and management.
• Ability to conduct safety training and communicate technical information in a clear, practical way.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to pass a respirator medical evaluation and fit test and participate in required HAZWOPER medical surveillance.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional experience or certifications in the following areas are a plus:

• CHST, STS, OHST, ASP/CSP track, or similar safety credential.
• 8-hour HAZWOPER Supervisor certification.
• HAZWOPER, CPR/First Aid/AED, or confined space trainer credentials.
• Root cause analysis experience, including TapRooT® or similar methods.
• Experience with ISNetworld, Avetta, or Veriforce.
• Experience supporting refinery, terminal, pipeline, environmental response, tank cleaning, or industrial services operations.

Schedule & Travel

This position supports active field operations and is not a traditional desk-based safety role. Candidates should be comfortable working in industrial environments and responding to changing operational needs.

• Participation in a 24/7 emergency response on-call rotation is required.
• Nights, weekends, and holidays may be required during emergency response activities.
• Travel to project and customer locations is required.
• Overnight and out-of-town travel may be required depending on active projects and operational needs.

What Ponder Offers

Compensation & Benefits:
We value our employees and offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• Hourly Rate Range:$38.00 - $46.00
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Life, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Pay

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ponder Environmental Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Aff…