Manager, EHS – Special Projects, NA

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team collaborates closely with Construction, Operations, Contractors, Vendors, and regulatory agencies to ensure health, safety, and environmental risks are effectively managed across Vantage Data Centers. At Vantage, safety is a core value that guides everything we do. By empowering every individual to lean into safety initiatives and executing our executive mandate to place safety at the forefront of all activities, we foster a culture of excellence through planning, training, vigilance, measurement, and partnership—fully aligned with operational and construction goals.

Position Overview

This is an onsite role working from our Santa-Clara, CA OR Ashburn, VA data center. Hybrid or some work from home option may be available pending stakeholder needs.

The Manager, EHS – Special Projects supports the safe execution of remediation and special projects in live, mission‑critical data center environments. This role partners closely with Project Managers, Operations teams, and contractors to plan work, identify risk early, and apply practical, field‑ready controls that protect people, systems, and uptime.

This role leads through partnership, coaching, and visible field presence, with a strong emphasis on early risk identification, calm escalation, and consistent application of EHS expectations across sites.

Essential Job Functions

• Support Project Managers during the planning and execution of remediation and special projects in operational data centers.

• Identify high‑risk activities and partner with stakeholders to implement effective, practical risk controls using the hierarchy of controls.

• Review contractor safety plans, permits, task‑level risk assessments, and site‑specific requirements.

• Monitor field execution and verify compliance with Vantage EHS standards and expectations.

• Coordinate closely with Operations to protect live systems, operational continuity, and uptime.

• Support incident reporting, investigations, and corrective / preventive actions.

• Provide timely risk feedback and escalation to the Senior Manager, EHS.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and standardization of Special Projects EHS practices across the Vantage portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Report to the Senior Manager, EHS, and support the implementation of EHS programs related to special projects and remediation work.

• Partner with EHS leadership to ensure alignment and consistency of policies, procedures, and field execution.

• Conduct field observations, audits, and inspections in live operational and project environments.

• Identify safety risks and work with Operations and Project teams to remediate issues proactively.

• Support workplace risk and exposure assessments across multiple hazard classes.

• Participate in incident investigations and basic root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.

• Maintain accurate safety documentation, records, and data integrity.

• Analyze safety trends and metrics and communicate insights to leadership to drive action.

• Engage directly with contractors, supervisors, and field crews to reinforce safe behaviors.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

What Success Looks Like

• Risks are identified early and controlled effectively.

• Strong, trusted partnerships with Project Managers, Operations, and contractors.

• Safe execution of work near energized and live systems.

• Issues are escalated early—before incidents occur.

• Consistent and practical application of EHS expectations across sites.

Job Requirements

Required / Strongly Desired Experience

• Experience supporting safety, operations, construction, remediation, or field execution in industrial, commercial, or operational environments
  OR

• Experience in roles where people safety, teamwork, and disciplined execution were essential.

• Ability to recognize and manage high‑risk work, including energized systems, intrusive work, confined spaces, hot work, lifting, and working at height.

• Practical experience reviewing contractor safety plans, permits, and task‑level risk assessments.

• Working knowledge of incident reporting and basic investigations.

• Comfort partnering with Project Managers and Operations to balance safety, schedule, and live‑site constraints.

• Ability to communicate risk clearly and calmly to field crews, supervisors, and leadership.

• Experience working in environments where operational continuity and uptime are critical.

• Experience supporting multiple projects or sites simultaneously.

Preferred but Not Required

• Occupational Health & Safety degree, diploma, or certification (or equivalent experience).

• Construction or general industry safety training.

• First Aid / CPR / emergency response training.

• Incident investigation or root cause analysis training.

• Exposure to electrical safety concepts (lockout, arc energy awareness, energized work controls).

• Familiarity with safety management systems, audits, or field observation programs.

Additional Requirements

• Comfort working in the field and engaging directly with crews and contractors.

• Ability to learn regulatory requirements and company standards and apply them practically.

• Willingness to travel approximately 20% across North America.

Non‑Traditional Backgrounds Welcome

We strongly encourage candidates from hands‑on and service‑oriented backgrounds, including:

• Project Engineers or Project Managers with a strong safety mindset

• Firefighters, EMTs, or emergency response professionals

• Skilled trades or former trade supervisors

• Military or public‑service roles

• Teachers, trainers, or coaches who influence behavior and build accountability

What We Look For Beyond Experience

• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence

• Willingness to speak up when something doesn’t feel right

• Coachability and curiosity

• Personal accountability and follow‑through

• Respect for frontline workers and operations teams

• Desire to grow into larger leadership responsibility over time

This Role Is a Fit If You:

• Lead by example, not authority

• Prefer solving problems with people, not at them

• Are comfortable being present in the field

• Want to grow as a leader while protecting others

• Believe safety and operational excellence go hand in hand

Physical Demands and Special Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Additional Details 

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits. 

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown. 

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#LI-Onsite

#LI-AH1

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.