EHS Specialist - Temporary Contract

EHS Specialist – Temporary Contract

Established manufacturing organization seeks an EHS Specialist for a 6-month contract, ideally with manufacturing safety experience.

An EHS Specialist supports compliance, safety culture, environmental stewardship, and operational risk control.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safety programs that comply with federal, state, and local laws (OSHA, EPA, DOT, etc.).
• Create procedures for safe equipment operation, hazardous material handling, and emergency preparedness.
• Recommend and update policies as regulations or plant needs change.

Inspections, Audits & Compliance Monitoring

• Conduct routine plant inspections, internal audits, and regulatory compliance checks (air, water, waste, chemical storage).
• Ensure adherence to OSHA safety rules, GMP, SQF, and corporate safety policies. Job descriptions consistently emphasize PPE compliance, hazard communication and safe work behaviors.
• Monitor removal of physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Maintain compliance with environmental permits and regulatory requirements (e.g., RCRA, Title V, EPA).

Training & Employee Education

• Provide training on safety policies, PPE, chemical handling, emergency response, and environmental compliance.
• Educate employees on safe work practices and regulatory expectations.
• Coach employees and supervisors to reinforce safe behaviors and continuous safety improvement.

Incident Investigation & Corrective Actions

• Investigate incidents, near‑misses, injuries, spills, or deviations to determine root causes.
• Recommend corrective and preventative actions and ensure closure.
• Maintain documentation of incidents and prepare reports required by regulatory agencies.

Environmental Compliance & Monitoring

• Oversee the environmental programs (air emissions, wastewater, waste management, recycling).
• Conduct environmental compliance audits (waste disposal facilities, hazardous / non‑hazardous waste processes).
• Prepare and submit environmental reports (EPA, state agencies) and manage permits.
• Support continuous improvement of waste management and environmental systems.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Mitigation

• Perform Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and ergonomic assessments to identify risks.
• Recommend mitigation actions, engineering controls, or procedural changes.
• Ensure safe handling and storage of chemicals used in flavor production (solvents, reaction ingredients, extracts).

Documentation, Reporting & Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate compliance records (training logs, inspections, incident reports, regulatory submissions).
• Track safety metrics, KPIs, and improvement trends.
• Keep EHS calendars updated to meet regulatory deadlines.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support fire safety, spill response, evacuation planning, and emergency drills.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate corrective measures.

Collaboration & Regulatory Interface

• Serve as the liaison between the plant and regulatory agencies (OSHA, EPA, state environmental departments).
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D to ensure EHS integration across operations.
• Participate in corporate audits, ORM (Operational Risk Management) initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.

Safety and Compliance (Employee & Food Safety)

• Adhere to company safety policies, including the use of required, company‑supplied PPE (ex, lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, toe‑cap safety shoes, respirators, etc.), hazard communication, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Participate in safety training, audits, and emergency preparedness drills.
• Act in a safe manner, inclusive of compliance with all OSHA standards. Employees are empowered to stop or refuse work if it cannot be performed safely.
• Maintain a safe and organized work environment, report and/or address unsafe conditions immediately.
• Support ongoing compliance with FDA, USDA, EPA, DOT, Organic, HACCP, DEA, FSMA, and all other local, state, and Federal regulations.
• Support ongoing compliance with SQF, Kosher, Halal, and all other relevant food production rules and requirements.
• Uphold Food Defense and Food Safety processes and procedures.
• Support company Quality Systems Policy, including document control, product traceability, crisis management, allergen management, and ongoing training.

Salary

$30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Education, Training, and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of EHS leadership roles preferred – food manufacturing industry experience a plus.
• Must be skilled at facilitation and training in large, small, and individual settings. Strong presentation skills required.
• Knowledge of OSHA (federal and IL state) regulations required.
• Experience with GMP, HACCP, and SQF is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and computer skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail in a timely manner.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• The ability to adjust to work a necessary schedule to meet job requirements, including flexibility to periodically support 2nd and 3rd shift to provide training and information to off‑shift employees.

Physical Requirements

• Walking long distances across production floors, warehouses, and outdoor areas.
• Standing for extended periods while observing work practices or training employees.
• Climbing stairs, ladders, or mezzanines to inspect platforms, verification systems, or equipment.
• Accessing confined or elevated spaces during environmental or safety walkthroughs.
• Carrying testing equipment, sampling kits, safety gear, or documentation materials up to 50 lbs.
• Handling spill kits or emergency supplies while responding to incidents.
• Bend, kneel, or crouch to inspect lower‑level machinery or storage areas.
• Reach overhead or into tight spaces.
• Use hands for writing reports, operating / monitoring instruments, and handling chemical safety equipment.
• Required PPE may include safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, respirators, and hearing protection.
• EHS Specialist must be able to wear PPE for extended periods while auditing or responding to incidents.
• Hot or cold production areas.
• Strong odor environments are typical of flavor manufacturing.
• Occasional outdoor work (waste areas, loading docks, chemical storage, etc.).
• Assisting with containment of spills (non‑hazardous duties in support roles).
• Performing rapid assessments in physically demanding or time‑sensitive situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requirements

• Must be able to wear PPE, including a full‑faced respirator.
• Constantly able to maintain regular, punctual attendance. Flexibility in schedule may be required depending on business needs and manufacturing requirements. Constantly able to view a computer screen.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.

Competency

• Interpersonal
• Management
• Technical / Professional
• Context
• Leadership