Environmental Health & Safety Specialist IV

Job details: Title: EHS Safety Specialist Location: Thomasville NC (Remote or Hybrid) Duration: 12 months (Possibility of extensions) Payrate: $40 - $46 per hour 5 sites and 1 DC that need to be audited and Remote work when not auditing - all in USA Job Description: The EHS Safety Specialist is responsible for evaluating and verifying compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations, corporate policies, and industry standards across multiple industrial sites, with a primary focus on chemical manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities. This role conducts systematic audits, identifies gaps, assesses risk, and drives corrective and preventive actions to ensure safe, compliant, and sustainable operations. Key Responsibilities Auditing & Compliance Plan, lead, and execute EHS audits and inspections across multiple industrial sites with chemical operations Evaluate compliance with: o Local, provincial/state, federal, and international EHS regulations o Internal EHS policies and global EHS management systems (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001) Assess site conformance related to: o Chemical handling, storage, labeling, and transportation o Process safety management (PSM) o Hazardous materials and waste management o Emergency response and spill prevention o Occupational health and industrial hygiene controls Chemical & Process Safety Review and assess: o Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical inventories o Risk assessments and job safety analyses (JSAs) o Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), HAZOPs, and change management (MOC) Verify controls for exposure prevention, ventilation, PPE, and engineering safeguards Evaluate contractor and supplier EHS compliance related to chemical risks Reporting & Corrective Actions Document audit findings clearly, objectively, and defensibly Assign risk ratings and prioritize findings based on severity and regulatory impact Work with site leadership to develop corrective and preventive action plans (CAPAs) Track closure of audit findings and verify effectiveness of corrective actions Advisory & Continuous Improvement Provide technical EHS guidance and best practice recommendations Identify systemic issues and trends across sites and recommend improvements Support internal EHS programs, training initiatives, and site readiness for regulatory inspections Participate in incident investigations and root cause analyses as required Stakeholder & Regulatory Interaction Collaborate with plant leadership, EHS managers, engineering, and operations teams Support interactions with regulatory authorities and third party auditors Contribute to corporate EHS performance metrics and reporting Education Bachelor’s degree in: Environmental Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health or a related technical discipline Experience 5+ years of EHS experience in chemical, industrial, manufacturing, or process environments Proven experience conducting EHS audits across multiple sites Hands on knowledge of chemical safety and industrial operations Technical Knowledge Strong understanding of: o Chemical safety regulations and standards o Industrial hygiene principles o Process safety management o Hazardous waste and environmental compliance Familiarity with ISO based EHS management systems Skills Strong audit planning, interviewing, and documentation skills Ability to interpret regulations and apply them in practical industrial settings Excellent written and verbal communication skills Comfortable challenging non compliance while maintaining collaborative relationships Strong analytical and risk assessment capabilities Travel: Willingness to travel 30-60% to industrial and chemical sites Preferred Qualifications Professional certifications such as: o CSP (Certified Safety Professional) o CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) o CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager) o ISO 14001 / 45001 Lead Auditor Experience in global or multinational audit programs Experience with regulatory inspections and enforcement actions Key Competencies Attention to detail and objectivity