Area HSE Specialist
About The Position
The Area HSE Specialist provides technical safety and environmental expertise for renewable energy construction projects, including solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The role supports safe work practices, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection throughout construction, partnering with project managers, field leadership, subcontractors, and corporate safety teams to implement safety programs, provide field oversight, and manage risk. The specialist provides on-site safety leadership, conducts inspections and hazard assessments, verifies safe work around electrical systems and high-voltage equipment, and supports safety programs, briefings, emergency planning, and incident response. The role also oversees subcontractor safety performance and environmental compliance, delivers training, maintains records and permits, investigates incidents, analyzes root causes, and supports corrective actions and continuous improvement. The position requires local travel of approximately 40%, including some overnight travel, and availability for rapid response to emergencies. Work takes place in industrial, manufacturing, and construction environments, including active outdoor job sites.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Safety Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction safety, including at least 3 years leading electrical safety programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA, NEC, EPA, and NFPA safety regulations and compliance requirements.
- Strong understanding of electrical hazards, energized work controls, arc flash protection, and lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices.
- Experience conducting incident investigations and root-cause analyses.
- Ability to influence teams and communicate effectively with field personnel, subcontractors, and leadership.
- Experience working with EHS management systems such as Enablon, Cority, Intelex, or similar platforms.
- Ability to maintain clear documentation, regulatory records, and safety metrics.
- Willingness to travel locally approximately 40%, including some overnight travel.
- Availability to provide rapid response to emergency situations.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; climb stairs and ladders; work at heights; enter confined spaces; and navigate uneven surfaces, compacted soil, scaffolding access points, and active work areas with moving equipment or materials.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25–40 pounds occasionally.
- Visual and auditory acuity.
- Ability to work with occasional exposure to heat, cold, dust, fumes, chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
- Preferred certification: Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP).
- Preferred certification: Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP).
- Preferred certification: Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or Associate Safety & Health Manager (ASHM).
- Preferred certification: Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST).
Responsibilities
- Provide on-site safety leadership and oversight.
- Conduct daily site safety inspections, hazard assessments, and risk control reviews for solar and battery storage installations.
- Verify safe practices around energized electrical work, DC/AC systems, inverters, switchgear, and high-voltage equipment.
- Ensure implementation of safety programs covering LOTO, arc flash protection, fall protection, confined space entry, trenching and excavation, and hot work.
- Lead daily safety briefings, toolbox talks, and site safety huddles.
- Support emergency response planning, drills, and incident response activities.
- Oversee subcontractor onboarding, safety orientation, and competency verification.
- Review and approve subcontractor safety plans, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and lift plans.
- Monitor subcontractor compliance with contract safety requirements, permitting, and PPE standards.
- Escalate safety concerns and coordinate corrective actions with project leadership.
- Implement environmental management programs for stormwater protection (SWPPP), erosion control, hazardous and universal waste management, and spill prevention (SPCC).
- Support environmental compliance related to battery and lithium-ion energy storage systems.
- Conduct environmental inspections and maintain regulatory documentation.
- Coordinate recycling, waste characterization, and disposal documentation.
- Deliver site-specific safety orientations to employees and subcontractors.
- Provide training on electrical safety, LOTO, fall protection, equipment operation, emergency response, and hazard communication.
- Maintain training records and ensure certifications remain current.
- Prepare site safety plans, environmental documentation, permits, and inspection records.
- Support project teams during constructability reviews to integrate safety and environmental requirements.
- Investigate near misses, injuries, electrical events, environmental spills, and property damage.
- Conduct root cause analyses and ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
- Track safety metrics and contribute to safety reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.
Benefits
- Medical insurance with a generous company subsidy and HRA.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 5% of salary deferrals.
- Profit sharing.
- Retirement benefit.
- Company-provided life and disability insurance.
- Liberal paid time off, including PTO and paid holidays.
- Parental leave.
- Volunteer time off.
- Tuition assistance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Company-subsidized wellness program.
- Assistance, tools, and resources for success.
- Collaborative, engaging, and respectful workplace.
- Fulfilling career opportunities and skills development.
- Values-based working environment.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
