EHS Specialist (Remote - California & Texas)

About NovaSource

NovaSource Power Services is the service partner for renewables asset owners ready to fuel smart growth. As an O&M-focused company with 20 years of operating experience, NovaSource has the global reach and strategic capabilities to achieve our clients’ renewables goals around the world. 

Our turn-key services optimize each step of our clients’ project lifecycles — from commissioning to decommissioning and everything in between. Our approach delivers creates success for our clients, stability for our teams, and enables us to build a world-class culture of excellence. And that’s how we empower a renewable world.

Job Summary:

This position is an extension of the Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) function and is responsible for implementing and maintaining compliance of health and safety issues at NovaSource Power Services (NSPS) Utility Power Plant Field sites across a designated region. You will be part of the team regional HSE Specialists maintaining compliance and implementing HSE programs. A significant part of this role will be providing competent technical HSE advice and direction across all functions and operational leadership and field technicians and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver on key HSE performance metrics. 

This role includes travel (40% - 60%) to NovaSource Power Services operating sites in North America. 

Major Roles/Responsibilities:

• Provide technical advice, direction and training to region site personnel on health and safety initiatives. This includes providing practical demonstration of procedures and providing coaching/mentoring during training sessions.
• Evaluate site HSE conditions, assess risks and develop appropriate corrective action plans.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with site operations personnel, site leadership and with regulatory agencies. 
• Assist site personnel with the creation of emergency plans, and execution of periodic emergency drills. Building collaborative relationships with local emergency personnel. 
• Support incident investigations, develop corrective actions and report/communicate lessons learned.
• Monitor compliance tracking programs and record keeping systems to assure compliance. Example systems include incident reporting and management system, motor vehicle record system, fleet management camera system, environmental record keeping, etc
• Supports or prepares external reporting for authorities or internal stakeholders.
• Track site progress against HSE metrics and goals.
• Provide guidance and ensure compliance to various state/federal requirements regarding managing various types of waste streams common to operating solar generation sites. This will include tracking and reporting hazardous materials, inventories, spill mitigation and reporting requirements to state and federal agencies.
• Perform HSE audits on sites to ensure compliance with customer contract requirements and all NSPS HSE programs and procedures. Assist in the development of improvements and updates to the HSE Audit program.
• Assist Area Managers in reviewing safety plans for major work. This includes reviewing subcontractor programs and subcontractor training levels to ensure applicable HSE standards are met, reviewing, and commenting on major job plans, and providing feedback to Area Managers as major work plans are executed.
• In partnership with the NSPS Learning & Development, help to provide training on items such as Electrical Safety & HV/MV Switching, Powered Industrial Trucks, Hazard Recognition and Control, Aerial Lifts, Fall Protection & Rescue, Rigging & Hoisting, Ergonomics, etc. Aid sites in monitoring their training via NSPS University and in performing training functions at their site. 
• Provide support and assistance to operating sites to help them prepare for regulatory inspections. Assist site personnel and inspectors with these inspections when needed.
• Work as business partner to Regional Director to understand QHSE training needs and management of customer expectations related to safety performance.
• Prepare for and participate in customer business reviews, as required. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HSE related field, Occupational Health, or similar.
• 3 years of experience in HSE in an industrial manufacturing or industrial power-related environment
• Includes 1 year of wind and/or solar industry experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Driving is an essential function of the job and applicants must have a valid driver’s license at the time of application with an acceptable driving record. Employees must maintain a valid license and acceptable driving record and may be subject to periodic DMV checks of their license

Eligibility Requirements:

• Priority will be given to candidates who live within the NSPS operating site region 
• Willing to provide coverage in other areas of the HSE team when needed.
• Willing to work weekends and on short notice when needed and the ability to work in adverse weather conditions.

The ideal candidate possesses the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Working knowledge of EPA, OSHA and other applicable HSE standards.
• Experience reading, comprehending, and implementing OSHA and other regulatory standards pertaining to HSE.
• Ability to interpret and apply a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, schematic, or schedule form.
• Demonstrated initiative in proactively identifying future potential safety risks and suggesting or implementing appropriate countermeasures. Experience conducting root cause safety investigations.
• Ability to negotiate successfully with regulatory agencies.
• Comprehensive interpersonal, speaking and writing skills to lead and influence personnel, to present technical information and proposed courses of action to members of management, and to effectively conduct regular training courses.
• Solar experience and technical qualifications (knowledge of multiple inverter OEM’s).
• Electrical Safety Qualified Worker or other high voltage qualifications.
• Advanced computer skills utilizing the MS Office Suite (especially WORD, PowerPoint SharePoint, and Excel)
• Recognized Professional Certifications such as CSP, ASP, CHST, etc.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Ability to provide excellent project delivery and customer service, quality on project deliverables, and organizational skills.

Office Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. Ability to work from platforms, ladders, and heights about 20 feet. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. NovaSource is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.           

US: Diversity Statement – Equal Employment Opportunity

It is NovaSource’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees. NovaSource disapproves of, and will not tolerate, unlawful discrimination against any applicant or employee because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, age, religion, disability, family care status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal laws.