Lead Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Program Specialist
About The Position
The Lead EHS Program Specialist integrates and advances the company’s corporate EHS strategy. The role focuses on scaling, sustaining, and improving long-term strategic initiatives across the organization, building relationships with stakeholders, establishing sustainable systems, and enabling consistent execution. The position partners with the Global EHS team, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Human Resources, and other business leaders. The specialist leads implementation of enterprise-wide EHS strategies, including Hazard Management, Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) prevention, and Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) frameworks. The work spans concept design, piloting, full integration, and continuous improvement. The role also coordinates implementation and configuration of enterprise EHS software, digitizes localized or paper-based processes, supports user adoption, and develops and maintains enterprise EHS policies, training, and standard operating procedures. As a change agent, the specialist builds stakeholder support, communicates the rationale for initiatives, addresses operational barriers, and uses feedback from EHS and operations teams to refine rollout strategies. The role is typically not responsible for routine site inspections or daily compliance audits, leading incident investigations, or standard EHS training, program, or policy development. The position requires travel throughout the United States and internationally, with anticipated travel up to 50% and occasional potential to exceed that during major implementations or peak project phases. Work includes office deskwork and visits to railroad environments, where conditions may vary and include uneven surfaces, ballast, and railroad equipment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, engineering, business administration, or another relevant field.
- At least 5 years of related environmental, health, and safety experience.
- At least 3 years of EHS experience in multi-site or field operations.
- Strong track record of systems implementations or project management.
- Experience authoring, updating, and maintaining corporate-wide EHS policies, technical standards, and standard operating procedures.
- Strong technical knowledge of safety regulations and standards, such as OSHA, EPA, FRA, NFPA, and ANSI.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and compliance tracking systems.
- Excellent project management, organizational, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with various departments.
- Valid driver’s license and passport, with ability to travel in the United States and internationally as required.
- Successful completion of required background and employment verification, including eVerifile/eRailSafe checks as required for railroad operations.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license; an MVR check is conducted upon hire and annually thereafter.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination; components may include HPE, audiogram, respiratory fit test and clearance, chest X-ray, TB QuantiFERON, and pulmonary function testing.
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug and alcohol testing; safety-sensitive employees are also subject to applicable random, reasonable-suspicion, and post-incident testing.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in EHS or Business Administration.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
- Project Management Professional (PMP).
Responsibilities
- Lead enterprise-wide implementation of EHS strategies, including Hazard Management, SIF prevention, and HOP frameworks, from concept and pilot through integration and continuous improvement.
- Partner with stakeholders to embed EHS initiatives in standard operating procedures.
- Develop project charters, timelines, and resource plans; track milestones and hold stakeholders accountable for timely, within-budget execution.
- Coordinate implementation and configuration of enterprise EHS software.
- Map paper-based or localized safety processes and convert them into streamlined, automated digital workflows.
- Design and deliver targeted training to support adoption of technology and systems by frontline workers and site leaders.
- Author and maintain enterprise EHS strategic policies, training, and SOPs for consistent multi-site execution, proactive risk mitigation, and operational alignment.
- Build stakeholder buy-in by communicating the rationale for initiatives and addressing operational friction.
- Establish feedback mechanisms with EHS and operational teams and adjust rollout strategies to account for real-world constraints.
Benefits
- Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
- Wellness programs.
- Basic life and AD&D insurance and voluntary life insurance.
- Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match of 150% up to the first 6% contributed.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and behavioral health support.
- Leaves of absence.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Payroll charity contributions.
- Adoption assistance.
- Optional legal, critical illness, and hospitalization plans.
- Certain positions may be eligible for an annual bonus and paid time off.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
