EHS Specialist

AFL provides industry-leading fiber optic products and services across the globe. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and now we manufacture over two thousand products, employ over 5,000 associates and consistently generate annual sales in excess of a billion-dollars in revenue.  With our commitment to professional growth and employee development, let AFL “Connect” you to your next career opportunity!

Job Summary

The EHS Specialist organizes the EHS activities for multiple business units in the Midwestern US but is primarily located in the Kansas City area. Under the direction of the Sr. EHS Manager, this position will ensure that compliance is maintained with AFL, client, and regulatory requirements. The EHS Specialist must be approachable and have the ability to build and maintain partnerships with management and field technicians. The incumbent evaluates and recommends solutions to EHS-related problems. Construction and/or Telephony experience is a plus.

Up to 50%Overnight Travel for this role.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on coaching/teaching and mentoring of safety compliance with managers and field technicians
• Communicates procedures effectively to management and field technicians
• Work with Sr. EHS Manager to identify and develop procedures and training for compliance with relevant OSHA Standards and company EHS policies
• Follow up on all Workers’ Compensation cases and employees' weekly/or as-needed
• Facilitate local “return to work program” with HR and management
• Drive incident investigations, completing and determining root causes and appropriate corrective actions are recorded in the incident management site
• Ensures that each specialized EHS system is up to date
• Engages and partners with local trainers to update and review safety training material
• Ensures EHS training is issued via the LMS system on a monthly/yearly basis and tracks completion, reports to management team completion status
• Works with Sr. EHS Manager to deploy AFL safety and environmental initiatives and ensure that initiatives are uniform across all markets
• Attend, participate, and lead in safety meetings  
• Coordinate and conduct hands-on or face-to-face training as needed
• Works with business unit teams/Sr. EHS Manager to evaluate, develop, and update Safe Work Instructions/Job Hazard Analysis and communicate changes to management and field technicians
• Conduct daily field safety inspections/warehouse safety and report findings to management

• Report safety violations to management and HR
• Work alongside the management team to develop appropriate action items from safety inspection findings and follow up to verify completion 

• Engages site management and field technicians to ensure effective implementation of EHS programs
• Creates weekly applicable Safety Toolbox Talks that are sent to management and field technicians
• Communicate severe weather alerts to management and field technicians
• Assists Sr. EHS Manager in updating and maintaining third-party compliance monitoring databases
• Provide recommendations for improving safety in the workplace
• Lead, manage, and inspect equipment and tools as needed, such as ladders, fall protection, PPE, tools, equipment, etc.
• Work with warehouse/procurement to verify the standardization of PPE/tools and equipment.

Personal Qualities

• Problem Solving – Excellent ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and provide suggestions for improvements or corrective actions
• Interpersonal skills – Communicates and works well with all levels of the organization; develops relationships with stakeholders to ensure their involvement and commitment
• Initiative – Keeps abreast of changing regulations and procedures; develops new and innovative methods for implementing EHS processes
• Motivation – Eager to learn and grow, has enthusiasm and a willingness to ask questions. Able to establish goals and continuing education plan
• Autonomous – Able to set priorities while working under limited supervision 
• Accommodating – Treats all field technicians as customers; shows a high degree of empathy for employee concerns and complaints

Qualifications

• 4 year degree in an EHS-related field and 1-4 years of relevant work experience preferred; will consider 2-3 years of practical EHS work experience in lieu of degree
• Incident management, root cause analysis, and investigation skills; ensures appropriate corrective actions are established, tracked and completed in a timely manner
• Knowledgeable in Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards
• Requires general personal computer skills as well as the ability to use Microsoft Operating System
• Possess the ability to conduct training for groups of employees in a classroom or field setting with knowledge of adult learner teaching techniques
• Additional preferred qualifications:
• Knowledge of industry best practices relating to EHS process improvements
• Ability to interface with multiple levels of the organization and communicate effectively to promote buy-in and reduce or eliminate negative associations with EHS initiatives

Working Conditions

• Use of standard office equipment.
• Moderate pressure to meet customer and company deadlines.
• Work may be indoors or outdoor environments
• Requires significant travel based on project needs.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America.