Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Sharps Medical Waste Services•Opelousas, LA

About The Position

The Senior Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Specialist leads EH&S programs across a multi-site network, partnering with Operations, Fleet, Human Resources, and site leadership to strengthen workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship. The role owns complex audits, incident investigations, compliance monitoring, employee training, and continuous improvement initiatives. It also mentors junior EH&S staff and serves as an organizational subject-matter expert, operating with substantial independence and sound judgment. The position reports to the EH&S leadership team. The Specialist oversees regulatory compliance and environmental programs, develops risk-mitigation and corrective action strategies, maintains EH&S records and reporting, and advises facility leaders and employees. The role includes travel to company locations for audits, investigations, training, inspections, and operational support, with approximately 40–50% travel including overnight trips. Work may take place in industrial and outdoor environments and requires wearing personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5–7+ years of progressive EH&S experience in manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, regulated medical waste, pharmaceutical, or industrial operations, including experience supporting multiple sites.
Demonstrated experience leading safety inspections, compliance audits, and incident investigations, and designing corrective action programs.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and environmental compliance regulations; hands-on experience with hazardous or regulated medical waste programs is required.
Advanced knowledge of occupational safety principles, industrial hygiene, hazard recognition, risk assessment, and environmental compliance, with the ability to apply this knowledge across varied site conditions.
Proven ability to mentor and influence others and lead cross-functional projects with minimal oversight.
Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines independently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and EH&S management systems.
Ability to build strong working relationships with employees and leaders across multiple locations and represent EH&S before customers and regulators.
Ability to travel approximately 40–50%, including overnight travel, and perform work in industrial and outdoor environments while wearing required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification such as CSP, ASP, OSHA 30-Hour General Industry, DOT Hazardous Materials Training, or HAZWOPER is strongly preferred; CSP or an equivalent advanced credential is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead compliance efforts with OSHA, EPA, DOT, DEA, CDC, and state environmental regulations, including oversight of permits, records, and documentation across multiple sites.
Design and lead facility safety inspections, operational observations, compliance audits, and hazard assessments; own risk-mitigation strategies and resulting corrective action plans.
Lead investigations of workplace injuries, vehicle accidents, near misses, environmental incidents, and property damage; conduct root cause analysis and track corrective actions to completion.
Own environmental compliance programs involving regulated medical waste, hazardous waste, stormwater, wastewater, air emissions, spill prevention, and pollution prevention.
Develop and deliver employee safety training, including Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazard Communication, DOT Hazmat, PPE, and Emergency Response, and build curricula for other required regulatory programs.
Maintain and improve EH&S databases, training records, inspection reports, and incident documentation; prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance reports to leadership.
Analyze EH&S performance metrics and trends across sites and recommend and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
Advise facility leadership and employees on EH&S matters and lead emergency response planning, fleet safety initiatives, and transportation compliance efforts.
Mentor and guide junior EH&S team members, supporting their development and consistent practices across sites.
Lead preparation for and participation in customer audits, regulatory inspections, facility startups, operational changes, and special projects.
Travel to company locations to lead audits, investigations, training, inspections, and operational support.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting of workplace injuries to insurance carriers and third parties.
Perform additional duties as required.