Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Manager

The Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project is a woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility located in South Boston, Virginia, encompassing a 104-acre site. The plant, with a nameplate capacity of 49.9 MW, began commercial operation in late 2013. It utilizes sustainably sourced wood materials to generate renewable electricity, supporting both regional power needs and local forest-based economies.

About the role

The Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Manager leads and drives the plant's environmental initiatives, ensuring all functions are executed reliably, efficiently, and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permit conditions, policies, procedures, and community commitments. This role fosters strong, proactive relationships with plant management, employees, regulators, corporate teams, community stakeholders, and other key parties to support a culture of safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship at a renewable biomass generation facility.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, oversee, and implement daily multi-media environmental programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and site permit requirements for a woody biomass-fueled power generation facility.
• Ensure compliance with all air permit requirements, emissions monitoring programs, and reporting obligations in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and permit conditions.
• Compile monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports, including monitoring, recordkeeping, data interpretation, and timely submission to federal, state, and local agencies for all applicable environmental programs, including air, water, waste, chemicals, and biomass byproducts.
• Ensure the facility maintains compliance with stormwater pollution prevention requirements, including inspections, sampling activities, corrective actions, and regulatory reporting.
• Implement spill prevention and discharge control measures related to fuel handling, chemical storage, wastewater systems, and plant operations. Support water and wastewater sampling programs in accordance with permit requirements.
• Maintain and organize the Environmental Management System (EMS) and environmental compliance documentation, including SPCC plans, SWPPP, air permit records, waste management records, and other regulatory programs.
• Support the Owner in interfacing with environmental regulators regarding inspections, information requests, permit modifications, renewals, compliance communications, and reporting requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact during regulatory inspections and compliance visits from federal, state, and local agencies.
• Coordinate and conduct environmental, health, and safety training programs for all plant personnel.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, address safety in all team interactions, and engage employees in hazard recognition and safe work practices related to biomass fuel handling, plant operations, maintenance activities, and contractor work.
• Perform inspections, safety observation tours, and one-on-one coaching to ensure compliance with company procedures, OSHA regulations, and safe work practices.
• Respond to injuries, near misses, environmental incidents, and safety events; analyze root causes, recommend corrective actions, and ensure follow-up to prevent recurrence.
• Complete other reasonable tasks and assignments as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in environmental compliance, engineering, occupational safety, or a related field, or equivalent technical training, knowledge, and experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Level 5 HAZWOPER certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing environmental, health, and safety programs within an industrial facility, preferably in biomass power generation, renewable energy, manufacturing, or other heavy industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including Title V, NSPS, NESHAP/MACT, NPDES, RCRA, SPCC, and stormwater requirements, with proven experience maintaining regulatory compliance.
• In-depth understanding of power plant operations, including fuel handling, emissions controls, ash management, water systems, and their impact on plant performance and environmental compliance.
• Experience managing environmental monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, permit compliance programs, regulatory inspections, and agency communications involving air, water, wastewater, waste, and chemical management programs.
• Proven ability to lead Management of Change (MOC) processes and assess environmental and safety impacts associated with equipment modifications, operational changes, process improvements, and capital projects.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience delivering EHS training, fostering a strong safety culture, and building effective stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex industrial environment, identify environmental and safety risks, implement corrective actions, and support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining cost-effective operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical skills, including experience preparing compliance reports, incident investigations, regulatory correspondence, and presentations, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Working Conditions

• Physical demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces.
• The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.
• Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment.
• Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required.
• Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.

Schedule

The EH&S Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required. Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Pay

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $92,300 to $129,400 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.