Sr. Director Environmental Health & Safety

About Veolia North America

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water, and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has approximately 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. Please visit our website www.veolianorthamerica.com.

Pay Rate: $165-175,000+ depending on EHS and industry experience

BENEFITS

Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.  Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement. 

Position Purpose: 

The Senior Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) is a critical leadership role responsible for championing and overseeing all aspects of H&S for our Regulated Operations ("Utilities"). You will lead and inspire a culture of continuous improvement, with a strong emphasis on prevention, employee engagement, and achieving zero-incident injury goals. This role is instrumental in developing, implementing, and continuously improving processes and systems that ensure Health & Safety of employees and facilities. As a key member of the Utility team, you will collaborate closely with Operations and support function leaders to integrate EHS as a foundational pillar of our success.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive EHS strategy and roadmap for Utility Operations, aligning with corporate objectives and driving measurable improvements in key performance indicators.
• Develop and maintain the appropriate KPIs, Dashboards, and reports to monitor EHS programs.
• Champion a culture of safety excellence by fostering employee engagement, providing visible leadership, and promoting a proactive approach to hazard identification and risk mitigation.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve EHS policies and procedures across Utility Operations, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal (EPA, OSHA, DHS) and state regulations.
• Oversee the development and delivery of engaging and effective EHS training programs that meet regulatory requirements and equip employees at all levels with the knowledge and skills to work safely.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of EHS professionals, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to maximize their contributions.
• Oversee EHS systems, including audits, policy management, and data analysis, to identify trends, track performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate effectively with senior leadership, including Region Presidents, to integrate EHS into business operations and secure buy-in for key initiatives.
• Manage the Utility EHS budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support program goals and objectives.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to proactively identify and address potential risks and opportunities.
• Lead the development, refinement, and execution of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Program, including Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and crisis management planning, training, drills/exercises, and post-event critiques to ensure preparedness at all levels.
• In coordination with HR, oversee Injury Management and Workers Compensation.

Education/Experience/Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree in EHS related field a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in safety management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, demonstrating a proven track record of:
  • Significantly reducing incident rates through proactive safety programs and initiatives.
  • Fostering a positive safety culture characterized by high levels of employee engagement and ownership.
  • Successfully implementing and managing EH&S Management Systems.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire, and influence others at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with diverse audiences, including frontline workers, senior management, and regulatory agencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop and implement strategic solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety (OSHA) and security (DHS) regulations, and corresponding state requirements.
• Experience with safety training program development and delivery.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and other relevant software application.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training:

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent or ability and willingness to obtain these certification(s).

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to wear protective clothing and must be able to work internally in the physical plants and externally on the facility grounds:
  • The employee will be periodically required to wear personal protective equipment and clothing where appropriate because of their work around potential hazards such as loud noise, airborne particles, vibration and hazardous materials. This protective equipment includes, but is not limited to, safety eyewear, footwear, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, and specialized clothing where applicable.
• Must be able to work in extremes of hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
• Travel: While the position will be based out of our Paramus NJ HQ with flexibility of remote work in accordance with company policy, business travel ranging between 30-50% may be required on short notice.
• Ability to walk, go up stairs, in all elements including indoor and outdoor / terrain & weather.
• Must hold a valid driver license with a satisfactory driving record to maintain minimum company required insurance coverage.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.