EHS Manager, Pre-Operations

Invenergy • Chicago, IL

9d • $88,000 - $103,000

About The Position

The EHS Manager, Pre-Operations implements and oversees Invenergy’s environmental, health, and safety programs for new wind, solar, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. The work spans development, pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and transition to operations. The role is the primary EHS partner to the Renewable Operations New Site Startup group and collaborates with Development, Construction, Engineering, Project Management, Operations Support, contractors, and site leadership to ensure projects are planned and executed safely, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable requirements.

The position establishes project-specific EHS expectations, provides site leadership, supports permitting and environmental compliance, promotes hazard recognition, serious injury and fatality prevention, learning, and continuous improvement, and verifies contractor performance. It also prepares new sites for startup operations and supports a safe handoff of completed projects to Operations.

Frequent travel to project sites across the United States is anticipated, up to 50%, with occasional short-notice travel. The role involves working at active construction sites in variable weather and terrain and around heavy equipment, electrical systems, and other construction hazards. Required PPE must be worn. Site walks may involve climbing ladders or stairs, walking uneven surfaces, and accessing elevated or remote work areas. Extended or nonstandard hours may be required for project activities, incidents, commissioning, or emergency response.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five or more years of progressive EHS experience supporting utility-scale energy, power generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Working knowledge of industry and construction safety practices, contractor management, incident investigation, and environmental compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to influence project leaders, field personnel, and contractors, and to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic EHS reporting or management systems.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Ability to work at active construction sites in variable weather and terrain and around heavy equipment, electrical systems, and other construction hazards.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and perform site walks that may involve climbing ladders or stairs, walking uneven surfaces, and accessing elevated or remote work areas.
• Flexibility to work extended or nonstandard hours when required by project activities, incidents, commissioning, or emergency response.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting utility-scale wind, solar, and/or BESS projects through development, construction, commissioning, and operational turnover.
• Professional certification such as CSP, ASP, CHST, CIH, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of electrical safety, commissioning, energy storage hazards, fire protection, and emergency response considerations applicable to renewable energy projects.
• Experience with environmental permitting, agency inspections, EHS compliance, OSHA safety standards, spill prevention, and construction environmental management.
• Experience developing EHS requirements for operating facilities and evaluating contractor EHS performance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Invenergy EHS policies, standards, management systems, and project-specific plans across assigned wind, solar, and BESS projects.
• Partner with Development and project teams during site selection, due diligence, design, procurement, contracting, and constructability reviews to identify EHS risks and incorporate controls early in the project lifecycle.
• Develop, review, and implement project EHS plans and compliance activities, including emergency response plans, SPCC Plans, waste handling, wildlife and habitat commitments, permit conditions, risk registers, and other required documentation.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness drills and response arrangements with project teams, contractors, local responders, and other stakeholders.
• Interpret and support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local EHS laws, regulations, permits, and commitments, including OSHA and environmental requirements.
• Ensure safe handoff of completed projects to Operations and regional EHS specialists or managers, including records turnover, open-action tracking, training, and operational readiness review.
• Coordinate required EHS orientation, training, toolbox talks, and competency verification for project personnel and contractors.
• Conduct and document field inspections, audits, observations, and management reviews; track findings and verify timely, effective closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Support contractor EHS expectations during prequalification, bid evaluation, contracting, mobilization, and execution; monitor contractor performance and hold contractors accountable for corrective action.
• Facilitate hazard assessments and reviews for high-risk work, including electrical work, energy isolation, energized systems, excavation, lifting and rigging, work at height, heavy equipment, traffic control, confined spaces, hot work, commissioning, and simultaneous operations.
• Provide visible field leadership and coaching to employees and contractors, reinforcing stop-work responsibility, good-catch reporting, and serious injury and fatality prevention.
• Create and implement policies, procedures, and work instructions in preparation for new site startup operations.
• Work with regional EHS specialists or managers to provide EHS safety training for new site employees and site managers, including Invenergy EHS expectations, regulatory compliance requirements, reporting, LOTO, training, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Lead or support investigations of incidents, near misses, environmental events, and significant hazards; document and communicate root causes, lessons learned, and corrective actions.
• Ensure timely, accurate EHS reporting, regulatory recordkeeping, performance metrics, and project documentation within Invenergy systems.
• Provide regular EHS performance updates, trends, risks, and recommendations to project and functional leadership.
• Perform other EHS-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Profit sharing
• Paid time off
• Eligibility to participate in bonus programs designed to reward individual and company performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level