Safety​/Environmental Specialist

Overview

U.S. Sugar is a leading producer of sugarcane, fresh vegetables and citrus products, and a regional short line railroad operator. Headquartered in Clewiston, Florida, the company farms more than 200,000 acres in Hendry, Glades, Martin and Palm Beach counties and employs approximately 3,000 people, including many high skilled/high wage jobs in automated environments. U.S. Sugar produces 650,000–700,000 tons of cane sugar per year, providing nearly 8% of the nation’s sugar production.

Why U.S. Sugar? Employees are our most valuable asset. When we succeed, our employees succeed. Many have an ownership stake in our privately held business through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). We reward employees with challenging work, opportunities to learn and grow, competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and a supportive work environment where safety is our top priority.

Under the direction of the Safety Manager, the Safety Coordinator will assist with tasks related to safety, health, and environmental hazards in the workplace, and provide administrative support for recordkeeping, training, safety job walks, and ensuring EHS compliance for USSC Manufacturing.

• Identify best practices and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce work process risks, raise safety awareness, and improve safe work practices.
• Work with latest technology, including apps, HIS equipment, EHS software, electronic devices, video editing software, etc.
• Lead by example in terms of engaged Safety Culture and foster a work environment that supports safe and healthy practices.
• Willing to work weekends when needed; participate in standby duty roster (once every 3 weeks).
• Familiar with and/or willing to learn hazardous waste regulations and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Attend spill training, DOT training, and other regulatory compliance trainings as required.
• Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and proper use of safety equipment.
• Perform safety audits and inspect facilities, machinery, and equipment to identify and correct potential hazards and ensure regulatory compliance; issue corrective actions and follow through to closure.
• Investigate industrial accidents, near-miss incidents, and occupational injuries to determine causes, install preventive measures, and manage return-to-work activities.
• Provide technical advice, coaching, guidance, and mentoring to employees on safety initiatives and necessary changes.
• Support investigations of work-related incidents, accidents, injuries, environmental impacts, and unsafe working conditions; prepare, review and report findings; support preventive measures and recommendations.
• Assist in standardizing programs and sharing best practices across the corporate footprint and franchise network as needed.
• Observe working practices and consult the risk assessment plan to determine standard PPE usage, distribute and control PPE.
• Conduct job hazard analyses (JHA) to assess risk and recommend mitigation measures with key stakeholders.
• Assess equipment (PPE) for purchase to ensure safety standards are met and recommend changes as needed.
• Participate in training to train personnel on the safe operation of company vehicles, including forklifts, powered industrial trucks, tele-handlers, scissors lifts, boom lifts, and skid steers.
• Inspect fire protection and emergency equipment (eyewash stations, drench showers, AEDs, First Aid Kits, Spill Kits).
• Other duties as assigned by the EHS Specialist and EHS Manager.

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
• 2–5 years of experience in health and safety at the plant level.
• Applied knowledge of health and safety laws and regulations.
• Interest in pursuing certifications in environmental, health, and/or safety (e.g., ASP, CSP, CHMM, CIH).
• Technically savvy with latest computers, apps, equipment, EHS software, and electronic devices.
• Continuous learning mindset and excellent interpersonal skills; strong team player; innovative and solution-oriented.
• Strong moral compass, hardworking, honest, and…