Senior EHS Specialist

Job Summary

In support of the occupational health and safety of employees, protecting the environment, and emergency management for The Jackson Laboratory, this role is independently responsible for assessing risks, developing standards, administering policies and programs, and leading employee engagement to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with federal, state, local regulations, and internal framework.

This cross-functional role partners closely with research, production, facilities, and leadership to lead the assessment and mitigation of risks, investigate incidents, and positively influence a problem-solving culture. Success in this role requires strong follow-through, clear communication, and the ability to independently address safety concerns directly and professionally.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's degree preferred) in Occupational Health & Safety, Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Sciences, or a related field such as chemistry or biology. A combination of education and experience will be considered.

• 5 years of experience in a same or similar role required; 7 years preferred.

• Valid driver's license required.

• Preferred certifications include CSP, ASP/GSP, CIH, CHMM, or a comparable U.S.-recognized EHS credential.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently develops, implements, and administers complex or Laboratory-wide EHS programs; establishes metrics and benchmarks and evaluates program effectiveness with minimal oversight.

• Leads or represents the Laboratory during regulatory inspections and audits; interprets findings, negotiates corrective action timelines, and briefs senior leadership on regulatory exposure and remediation plans.

• Establishes standards and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations and internal standards; interprets emerging or ambiguous regulatory requirements for senior management.

• Researches and benchmarks external best practices and emerging regulatory trends; recommends and drives adoption of improvements to keep Laboratory programs current and defensible.

• Designs and oversees delivery of employee training programs for assigned area(s); mentors and coaches EHS staff on technical practice, investigation methods, and stakeholder engagement.

• Leads investigations of complex, high-severity, or recurring incidents; performs root cause analysis and directs the development and tracking of corrective and preventive actions.

• Analyzes trends across inspection, audit, incident, and training data to identify systemic risks and recommend program-level or organizational improvements to senior leadership.

• Leads or serves as a key responder during emergency situations involving hazardous materials, confined space rescue, or fire/smoke incidents, and leads after-action discussions.

• Leads cross-functional EHS initiatives and projects, coordinating resources, timelines, and communications across departments.

• Contributes to EHS program budgeting and may assist in evaluating and procuring EHS equipment, services, or consultants.

• Independently engages and builds trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders without requiring day-to-day direction.

• Serves as a designated delegate for the Site EHS Leader, representing the EHS function's priorities and making sound, timely decisions in that capacity when the Site EHS Leader is unavailable.

• Works directly with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, often as the Laboratory's primary point of contact for assigned program area(s).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of environmental health & safety principles, typically acquired through a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Sciences, or a related science field with at least five years of progressive EHS experience, or an Associate's degree in a related field with at least seven years of progressive EHS experience.

• Advanced written and oral communication skills sufficient to clearly and persuasively exchange information with audiences ranging from front-line staff to senior executives and external regulators.

• Ability to lead root cause analysis and complex incident investigations, and to translate findings into systemic, sustainable corrective actions.

• Advanced working knowledge of applicable regulations with demonstrated success building and defending compliant, sustainable programs.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; ability to synthesize data from multiple sources into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

• Ability to lead technical safety audits and inspections in areas of expertise as required by policy, standards, or regulation, and effectively communicate findings to key stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to independently engage and influence stakeholders, customers, and senior leadership, including building consensus and driving action without direct authority.

• Project management skills sufficient to lead multi-stakeholder EHS initiatives from planning through completion.

• Proficiency with common technical applications, including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, web-based tools, and presentation software.

• Ability to serve on the Confined Space Rescue Team and Emergency Response Team.

• Demonstrated ability to operate independently with little supervision, exercising sound judgment and prioritizing effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving, or high-pressure situations.

• Mentoring and coaching skills; ability to develop the technical and professional capabilities of less experienced EHS staff.

• Demonstrated ability to serve credibly as a delegate for the Site EHS Leader, representing program priorities and making decisions on the Site EHS Leader's behalf when required.

Physical Demands

Light: exerting up to 20 lbs occasionally, 0–10 lbs frequently, and negligible weights constantly.

Pay Range:  $86,344 - $125,184 based on years of experience and internal equity considerations

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.