Safety Specialist

Vulcan Elements; Benson (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Elements, a Durham, NC-based manufacturer of American rare-earth magnets, is hiring a Safety Specialist to lead the site safety program, ensure OSHA compliance, and promote a strong safety culture. This is a full-time, day shift position at our R&D facility.

You will drive OH&S programs, perform risk assessments, conduct monthly equipment checks, and collaborate with R&D and operations to design safety into scale-up processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education and/or experience.
• 4+ years of job specific experience.
• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, JHAs, and incident investigation methodology.
• Comfort operating with real authority and autonomy.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust and credibility.
• Completed OSHA 30-hour training

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of the site’s safety program in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.
• Drive critical OH&S programs such as incident reporting and investigation, control of hazardous energy, PPE, hot work, fire prevention, etc. to reduce risks and company costs.
• Own the weekly tailgate program. Set the rhythm with applicable content and build supervisors' ability to run it independently
• Build and run the safety observation and suggestion program — the channel that turns floor-level instinct into trend data leadership acts on.
• Lead self‑assessments and safety checks across the floor, including the paperwork behind them, evaluating risk and trends to address gaps and establish best in class safety performance.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering and operations teams regarding safety requirements, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Perform monthly checks of equipment including but not limited to emergency exit signs, fire extinguisher and eyewash inspections, and ladder inspections.
• Monitor safety equipment inventories to ensure supplies such as PPE are readily available for employees.
• Provide supplemental environmental compliance support as required by the Environmental department including but not limited to hazardous waste audits and shipping.

Skills

OSHA standards

Incident investigation

JHAs

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education and/or experience

Job description

Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Transparency.

As a Safety Specialist you will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of the organization’s safety program. This role will participate in cross-functional efforts identify and control hazards, reduce operational risk, and promote a strong safety culture. This role will be based at the Vulcan Elements R&D facility in Durham, NC. You will ensure health and safety compliance with applicable regulations and existing company standards. This is a full‑time, day shift position.

Responsibilities

Field Leadership

• Assist in the development and implementation of the site’s safety program in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.
• Drive critical OH&S programs such as incident reporting and investigation, control of hazardous energy, PPE, hot work, fire prevention, etc. to reduce risks and company costs.
• Own the weekly tailgate program. Set the rhythm with applicable content and build supervisors' ability to run it independently
• Build and run the safety observation and suggestion program — the channel that turns floor-level instinct into trend data leadership acts on.
• Lead self‑assessments and safety checks across the floor, including the paperwork behind them, evaluating risk and trends to address gaps and establish best in class safety performance.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering and operations teams regarding safety requirements, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Perform monthly checks of equipment including but not limited to emergency exit signs, fire extinguisher and eyewash inspections, and ladder inspections.
• Monitor safety equipment inventories to ensure supplies such as PPE are readily available for employees.
• Provide supplemental environmental compliance support as required by the Environmental department including but not limited to hazardous waste audits and shipping.

Program, Policy & Performance

Own the KPIs that prove safety is working — tailgate completion, observation closure, self‑assessment trends, corrective action aging — and use them to drive where attention goes next.

• Watch how new processes and equipment shift the risk picture, and keep documentation audit-ready as a matter of course.

Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Facilitate root cause analysis on safety incidents and higher potential near‑misses and bring that same rigor to RCAs led by others.
• Partner with R&D and process engineering during scale‑up so safety gets designed in before new work ever reaches the floor.
• Lead by influence — build the kind of trust with supervisors and area owners that makes them want to own tailgates, self‑assessments, and corrective actions themselves.

Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education and/or experience.
• 4+ years of job specific experience.
• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, JHAs, and incident investigation methodology.
• Comfort operating with real authority and autonomy.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust and credibility.
• Completed OSHA 30‑hour training

Preferred Qualifications

• First aid/CPR/AED certified

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Must be able to perform activities including climbing ladders and scaffolds, lifting (up to 35 lbs), walking, balancing, and stooping.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

This position requires access to information and technology that is subject to US Export Control. Vulcan Elements will use this information to determine if you are eligible to receive this information under US Law.

As set forth in Vulcan Elements’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.