Director, Safety Mining & Processing

Job Summary

The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) leads the development and execution of enterprise-wide EHS programs supporting solvent extraction processing and mining operations. This role ensures compliance with all applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations while proactively managing risk across hazardous chemical handling, extraction processes, and field-based mining activities. The Director serves as a strategic partner to operations leadership, driving a culture of safety, environmental responsibility, and operational discipline.

• Lead and continuously improve EHS programs across solvent extraction facilities and mining sites, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including those governing hazardous chemicals, air and water quality, waste management, and mine safety.
• Develop and implement risk identification and mitigation strategies specific to solvent-based processing, chemical storage and handling, tailings management, and field operations.
• Establish and standardize incident investigation protocols (near-miss, environmental release, occupational injury), including root cause analysis and corrective action tracking.
• Provide technical oversight on environmental permitting, reclamation planning, spill prevention, and emergency response preparedness.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and site leadership to integrate EHS considerations into process design, mine planning, and day-to-day execution.
• Oversee environmental monitoring programs, including air emissions, water discharge, and soil/groundwater impacts.
• Serve as the primary interface with regulatory agencies, inspectors, and community stakeholders, managing audits and site inspections.
• Develop and maintain EHS training programs tailored to both plant and field personnel to reinforce a safety-first culture.
• Build and lead a high-performing EHS team across multiple locations, driving accountability and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in mining, chemical processing, solvent extraction, or similarly regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of regulations related to mining operations, hazardous chemical handling, and environmental protection (air, water, waste).
• Demonstrated experience managing EHS programs across both fixed processing facilities and field-based operations.
• Expertise in incident investigation, process safety, and environmental risk management.
• Experience with permitting, inspections, and regulatory engagement at the state and federal level.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional leadership and drive a culture of safety in complex, high-risk environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel to and spend time at remote mining and processing sites.

Vision: close and distance vision required. Work requires walking, standing, moving, sitting, carrying, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, using hands and fingers, handling, feeling, talking, and hearing. Might be required to lift and move boxes or packages not exceeding 20 pounds. Some work stress and extended work hours may be required.

The workplace includes typical office, laboratory, and construction site environments. Exposure to normal office noise, laboratory equipment sounds, manufacturing floor noise, machinery, forklifts, and construction site noise varying with phase and location.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities. USA Rare Earth's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and will provide reasonable accommodations according to applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

160, USD per year (Wheat Ridge, CO)