Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety - Cranston - Thielsch Engineering

Description

Overview

The Director of EHS at RISE will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive safety programs across all divisions and locations. This role ensures compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards, establishes and promotes a behavior-based, proactive safety culture, and drives continuous improvement in workplace safety practices. The Director of EHS will collaborate with leadership, field teams, and external partners to mitigate risks and enhance operational safety and environmental compliance. The role demands a seasoned EHS professional with credibility and the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute a company-wide EHS strategy aligned with RISE's operational goals and compliance requirements.
• Provide leadership, management, and strategic planning for EHS operations across specialized areas including chemical, OSHA compliance, process safety, fire safety, environmental compliance, fleet safety, ergonomics, emergency planning, and HAZMAT response.
• Lead, develop, and support a specialized staff team and first responder team members to ensure consistent safety practices across all business units.
• Collaborate with RISE leadership to align EHS needs with corporate strategic initiatives.
• Oversee departmental budget, capital projects, and resource allocation for EHS programs.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other relevant regulatory agencies.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments to identify hazards and implement corrective actions.
• Manage incident investigations and reporting, including root cause analysis and preventive measures.
• Design and deliver behavior-based safety training programs for employees at all levels.
• Manage facility safety concerns including environmental issues.
• Collaborate with Facilities Management on construction and renovation safety, maintaining the Contractor Safety Manual and overseeing critical programs like Hot Work Permits and Life Safety Impairments.
• Lead emergency responses to hazardous material incidents and develop comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, drills, and training programs in coordination with first responder team.
• Promote a culture of safety through communication, recognition, and accountability.
• Maintain and analyze safety metrics, including OSHA recordables, lost time, and near-miss incidents along with targeted corrective actions.
• Present safety performance reports to executive leadership and recommend strategic improvements.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans and conduct regular drills.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and emergency services.

Incumbent Must

• Demonstrate a positive and collaborative team atmosphere, embodying corporate values.
• Exhibit strategic thinking and sound judgment under pressure.
• Operate with high integrity and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Effectively build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to safety issues and challenges.

Supervisory Responsibility

Directly manages Safety Associate and Safety Coordinator and indirectly manages the First Responder Team(s).

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, or related field
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive EHS leadership experience, ideally in construction, engineering, or field services.
• Comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and local safety regulations including expertise in OSHA, EPA, safety management systems, and state-specific requirements.
• Demonstrated success implementing effective safety programs and driving positive safety culture change in complex organizations.
• First-hand experience leading emergency response operations and incident management is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively engage leadership, employees, and external agencies on technical safety matters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Learning Management Systems, and safety related platforms.
• Proven project management abilities to handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license and ability to respond to emergencies using appropriate protective equipment.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence organizational culture.

Work Environment, Position Type and Expected Hours

This job operates in a professional office environment, with occasional travel to field work sites and varied indoor/outdoor environments. It is a full-time 40+ hour position. Days and hours of work may vary but are typically Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with periodic travel required. This position will be located in our corporate office in Cranston, RI.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to conduct site inspections in varied conditions.
• Ability to travel to job sites and field locations.
• Reading, typing and computer input.
• Clarity of vision at both over 20 feet and under 20 inches.
• Able to judge depth, have a good field of vision, and identify and distinguish colors.

Compensation & Benefits

• Health care benefits through United HealthCare
• Delta Dental and Vision Service Plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employer-matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer-paid Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; access to short and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement and more

Qualifications

Who We Are

The RISE Group, Inc., is an employee-owned, professional engineering firm that provides a complete range of consulting, design, and energy services to customers throughout the United States and internationally. Our multi-disciplined engineering and technical staff specialize in failure analysis, engineering design, process optimization, and condition assessment. Our work demonstrates how creative collaboration can produce outstanding results for our clients and our communities.

Our Culture

At RISE, our customers come from all walks of life - and so do our employees We hire amazing people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. We can confidently state that we are successful as a direct result of our diversity. From day one and throughout your career with us, you'll find a workplace culture with expansive personal & professional development opportunities, cutting edge technology, a place where relationships are valued, and work/life balance is always a priority.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our workplace and in our communities. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

The RISE Group, Inc. is an E-Verify participant and will conduct background investigations and pre-employment screening of candidates for employment Pre-employment activities will be conducted on qualified applicants after acceptance of a job offer.

The RISE Group, Inc. is an employee-owned company and an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.