Senior Specialist, Safety & Environment

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

2d•$106,200 - $167,200•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced environmental compliance senior specialist with technical expertise and deep knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations pertaining to the pharmaceutical industry. The successful candidate will provide guidance and overall support to site operations to ensure that daily activities are performed in accordance with environmental regulations and company standards. As a key member of the site’s Global Safety & Environment (GSE) team, you will help shape the site’s EHS culture, drive compliance, and embed EHS excellence across all operations. The role also involves supporting EHS planning and execution and requires effective influencing skills to help drive EHS performance within a complex organization. Reporting to the Associate Director / environmental compliance lead for the West Point Site, the S&E Senior Specialist will provide technical and regulatory guidance to GSE business partners and site operations and assist with the integration of environmental compliance programs and company standards into daily activities. As a member of the site’s Global Safety & Environment (GSE) team, you will provide program subject matter expertise for facility EHS technical needs and for regulatory permitting across air, water, wastewater, and/or waste media. The role includes compliance assurance, facility‑level risk assessment and control implementation, and hands‑on support during routine operations, site development projects, and regulatory agency engagements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related technical field
5+ years of professional EHS experience in chemical, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
Experience implementing EHS programs, including change management for operational or site initiatives
Ability to support multiple projects and effectively partner with internal business units
Experience implementing management systems and ensuring compliance
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and their relation to environmental and safety regulations
Understanding of applicable environmental regulatory requirements (EPA, PADEP, MCCD, DRBC)
Experience in risk assessment, mitigation and implementation of appropriate controls
Experience implementing sustainable EHS operational procedures and training programs
EHS Compliance
EHS Program Management
Environmental Regulatory Compliance
Incident Investigations
Interpersonal Relationships
Self Motivation
Training and Development
Adaptability
Compliance Reporting
EHS Auditing
EHS Compliance
EHS Program Management
Environmental Regulatory Compliance
Environmental Science
Interpersonal Relationships
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Analysis
Risk Assessments
Self Motivation
Training and Development

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CHMM)
2–3+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing
Proven track record supporting utilities and facility systems (boilers, cooling towers, HVAC, steam, emergency power, compressed air) during design, commissioning, and operations
Experience leading regulatory agency interactions, inspections, permit applications/renewals, emissions inventories, and corrective action implementation
Program/management system implementation skills (MOC, EHS management systems, risk assessment) and demonstrated ability to train and influence cross‑functional teams

Responsibilities

Support environmental media permitting, compliance, and reporting for the site
Manage water and wastewater permits (e.g. NPDES/stormwater for industrial activities, NPDES/stormwater for construction activities, industrial wastewater pretreatment) and related compliance reporting
Waste stream characterizations and evaluations against PNECs
Routine reviews, updates, and management of spill contingency and emergency response plans (SPCC, PPC, SPR, SWPPP, Slug Discharge, Hazardous Waste, etc…)
Manage groundwater withdrawal and public water supply system permits, monitoring plans, and compliance reporting
Site remediation program monitoring and compliance reporting (RCRA Corrective Action)
Develop and deliver training on environmental permit requirements, spill prevention/emergency response, stormwater best management practices, and related safety topics
Develop and maintain permit applications, permit renewals, permit modifications, permit condition tracking, compliance monitoring and timely regulatory submittments
Lead site environmental regulatory program implementation and participate in agency interactions, including preparing responses to inspection findings, technical reports, and corrective action plans; participate in agency meetings and site visits as needed
Provide comprehensive EHS support to facilities, operations, maintenance, and engineering for utility and site infrastructure systems (e.g. boilers, cooling towers, HVAC systems, steam and condensate systems, wastewater and stormwater conveyance systems, waste storage facilities, etc.) and related monitoring/control systems
Support design reviews, commissioning, and start‑up activities for capital projects and process changes to ensure environmental and safety requirements are incorporated (including permitting implications) using Management of Change (MOC) processes
Advise hazard assessments, process safety support, and technical reviews associated with facility, utilities and equipment that affect safety and environmental compliance and worker safety
Advise contractor compliance and environmental controls during construction and maintenance activities; participate in contractor prequalification and work package reviews
Provide day‑to‑day EHS support to site business units: safety inspections, audits, incident investigations, corrective action tracking, and implementation of engineering or administrative controls
Maintain environmental data and compliance documentation in site EHS management systems; prepare internal and external reports and metrics
Support emergency response planning and execution for environmental incidents, spills, or releases and coordinate with local emergency responders and regulatory agencies as necessary