EHS Compliance & Risk Advisor, Data Center Operations

Nscale

1d•$140,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The DC Operations EHS Compliance & Risk Advisor owns the regulatory compliance and risk management backbone of the data center EHS program. This role serves as the SME for environmental and safety regulatory requirements, audit management, and enterprise risk identification, ensuring the organization stays ahead of regulatory obligations across jurisdictions, while serving as a trusted compliance partner to Operations, Engineering, and Construction. The ideal candidate brings deep auditing and compliance expertise, works comfortably and independently across Ops, construction, and engineering teams, and can translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in EHS regulatory compliance, risk management, and auditing, ideally within data center, industrial, or other high-hazard operations.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and related U.S. environmental/safety regulatory frameworks; experience communicating with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (federal, state, and local) for notifications and permit conformance.
Proven experience designing and managing audit programs and driving corrective action to closure.
Demonstrated risk management experience — identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational and regulatory risk.
Hands-on experience with an EHS management system such as VelocityEHS or a similar platform (e.g., Intelex, Cority) for audit tracking, incident management, and compliance recordkeeping.
Ability to work independently and effectively across Ops, construction, and engineering stakeholders, often without direct authority.
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Safety Management, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

Hyperscale, colocation, or mission-critical data center experience strongly preferred; experience across a geographically distributed, multi-site U.S. data center portfolio a plus.
Experience with ISO management system standards (e.g., ISO 45001, ISO 14001) — including candidates whose ISO experience comes from international roles — a plus, even though this role supports U.S. operations only.
Certifications such as CSP, CHMM, CIH, or NEBOSH.
Experience supporting compliance programs across multiple U.S. states/jurisdictions.
Familiarity with EHS/GRC compliance platforms (e.g., VelocityEHS)

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary SME on EHS regulatory compliance (federal OSHA, EPA, and applicable state/local environmental and safety regulations across U.S. operating sites), including coordination with regulatory agencies during inspections, notifications, and permit compliance activities.
Design, lead, and manage the internal and third-party EHS audit program, including audit scheduling, execution, findings management, and corrective/preventive action tracking to closure.
Execute and manage the site's EHS compliance calendar and monitor program KPIs, escalating gaps or emerging risk to the EHS Program Leader.
Identify, assess, and document EHS and operational risks; develop risk profiles and mitigation strategies in partnership with site and program leadership.
Maintain and continuously improve hazardous waste documentation, and compliance records. This includes permits, licenses, SPCC/SWPPP plans, environmental reporting, and recordkeeping systems, etc.
Monitor regulatory changes across relevant U.S. federal, state, and local jurisdictions, and translate new requirements into updated policies, procedures, and site guidance.
Coordinate with Legal when regulatory inspections, enforcement actions, or reportable events occur.
Partner directly and independently with Ops, construction, and engineering teams to embed compliance requirements into daily operations and project workflows, from construction oversight through operational/facility-ready turnover and manage external environmental or regulatory consultants, as required.
Develop and maintain EHS policies, standards, and procedures that strengthen controls and reduce organizational risk.
Compile, analyze, and report compliance and risk metrics, audit results, and trends to the EHS Program Leader and other stakeholders.
Support incident investigations from a compliance and regulatory-exposure standpoint, ensuring timely and accurate regulatory reporting where required.
Lead or support EHS compliance training and awareness programs across the site/portfolio.