State EHS Lead

Position Summary

The State EHS Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for the overall development, implementation, and management of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs across the state for all phases of wind energy asset lifecycle, including development, large-scale construction, commissioning, and long-term operations & maintenance (O&M). This role requires expert-level knowledge of local, state, and federal EHS regulations and a proven ability to lead culture change, mitigate complex risks, and ensure regulatory compliance in a high-hazard industrial environment. The successful candidate will serve as the primary EHS liaison with state regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities

EHS Program Management & Leadership (35%)

• Strategic Oversight: Design, implement, and continuously improve state-specific EHS management systems and procedures tailored to the unique risks of wind farm construction (heavy lifting, rigging, civil works) and O&M (working at heights, confined space, high-voltage systems).
• Cultural Leadership: Drive a proactive safety culture across all contractor and employee teams, leading by example and promoting continuous safety improvement and best practices.
• Team Coordination: Manage and mentor a team of site-level EHS professionals and coordinate EHS activities across multiple operational sites and active construction projects within the state.

Operational and Construction Safety (40%)

• Risk Assessment: Conduct and oversee comprehensive hazard analysis, job safety analysis (JSA), and risk assessments for complex operations, including turbine assembly, blade repair, preventative maintenance, and emergency response planning.
• Compliance Audits: Lead regular, in-depth EHS inspections and audits of all project sites and facilities to identify non-compliance issues and high-risk areas. Track corrective actions through closure.
• Incident Management: Lead and direct high-potential incident investigations, utilizing root cause analysis (RCA) techniques to determine causal factors and implement effective preventative measures. Responsible for mandatory regulatory reporting (OSHA, etc.).
• Specialized Programs: Ensure compliance and competency in specialized safety programs, including LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), fall protection and rescue plans, electrical safety (NFPA 70E), and mobile equipment operations.

Environmental Compliance (15%)

• Permitting & Reporting: Manage all state and local environmental permits (e.g., stormwater, waste management, air emissions) for construction and O&M facilities, ensuring timely reporting and renewal.
• Wildlife & Habitat: Oversee compliance with state-level wildlife protection and mitigation plans relevant to wind farm operations, including avian and bat mortality monitoring protocols.
• Waste Management: Implement robust waste management and spill prevention control and countermeasures (SPCC) plans across all state assets.

Regulatory and Training Liaison (10%)

• Act as the primary point of contact for state-level EHS regulatory agencies, managing all site visits, inspections, and inquiries.
• Develop and deliver advanced EHS training curriculum for site managers and technicians on new regulations, technology, and specialized wind industry risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10-15 years of progressive experience in EHS management, with a minimum of 5 years specifically in the utility-scale renewable energy (wind) sector covering both construction and operations.
• Expert-level knowledge of relevant state and federal EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA, ANSI, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience managing EHS for projects involving heavy lifting, working at heights, and high-voltage electrical systems.
• Proven success in leading and mentoring EHS teams and managing compliance across multiple, geographically dispersed sites.

Preferred Certifications (Highly Desirable)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent professional certification (e.g., CIH, CSHM).
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction and General Industry certification.
• Advanced training in Root Cause Analysis (e.g., TapRooT, FMEA).
• Specialized certification in fall protection or high-angle rescue.