EHS Specialist

Job Details

Location:

Waukegan, IL 60085

Shift: 1st Shift

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Range: $75,791.20 - $10,500.00

Job Category: EHSE Senior EHS Specialist

Primary lead for site EHS program, overseeing training, development, and maintenance of safety & health policy and procedures.

Responsible for aligning and executing corporate EHS strategy and managing EHS programs across the organization. Serves as the lead EHS SME, working with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Sustainability, and Product Safety leadership to embed an EHS culture.

Accountable for all environmental, health, and safety performance and continuous improvement across all site activities, including warehousing, laboratories, and process/track work. Covers all employees and contractors on behalf of the Company.

• Participate in site compliance reviews and internal and external audits.
• Manage site industrial hygiene plans: exposure monitoring, containment testing, hearing conservation.
• Monitor site‑specific EHS leading and lagging indicators.
• Practice and reinforce safe working techniques, safety policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Research, investigate, and analyze information to deliver timely results.
• Conduct environmental, health and safety reviews, routine inspections, and incident investigations with manufacturing and maintenance personnel.
• Act as EHS SME, answering questions from sites and stakeholders.
• Maintain current EHS knowledge and regulations, notifying management of changes.
• Partner with departments on training compliance and safety initiatives.
• Provide research on topics and best practices as required.
• Identify site‑specific circumstances requiring changes to the EHS management system and support implementation.
• Mentor other EHS Specialists in the network.
• Support plant leadership on capital project planning to align sustainability efforts with engineering projects.

• Timely and accurate completion of work.
• Apply critical thinking and problem solving to EHS challenges.
• Anticipate EHS urgency and redirect resources to meet updated expectations.
• Lead processes or projects indirectly through ownership.
• Demonstrate empathy, active listening, and respectful language.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Occupational H&S, Environmental Sciences, or equivalent mix of education and experience.

Certifications (desired but not required): CSP, CHI, CHMM, CEAS.

Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish.

Experience: At least 5 years as a safety professional in a manufacturing environment.

• Investigate root causes for occupational injuries, illnesses, incidents, and near misses.
• Strong communication skills; actively listen and present information clearly.
• Analyze options, exercise judgement, and make sound decisions.
• Partner with HR to file incident reports and determine accommodations.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement corrective actions.
• Use corporate EHS software to track and report performance metrics.
• Basic understanding of ergonomic principles.
• Manage time efficiently, meet deadlines, and multitask.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Exhibit intellectual curiosity and adapt to changing operations.

Technology/Software: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with EHS Management Systems.

Travel:
On-demand, 10% of time.

Vehicle:
Must be able to commute to nearby facility.

Technology:
Smart phone – Preferred.

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Accounts.
• Dependent care subsidy.
• Childcare and elder care resources.
• Tuition and education assistance.
• Active & Fit Direct – gym access.
• Geode Health – mental health support.
• Commuter benefits.
• Health Advocate services.
• Benefit hub – employee perks and discounts.
• Pet insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

Visual Pak Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visual Pak does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis covered by federal, state, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, skills, individual performance, and business needs.