Safety Specialist

My client is a development-stage company with a focus on developing a sustainable, diversified supply of lithium chemicals that underpin the future of energy storage and mobile transportation.

Role

The Safety Specialist supports the Safety Manager in developing and implementing effective safety program. This position plays a key role in promoting a strong safety culture across site operations. The Safety Specialist will coordinate safety audits, inspections, training, and hazard assessments to ensure compliance with MSHA and OSHA regulatory requirements. The plant will consist of a sulfuric acid plant and processes for clay beneficiation, acid leaching, neutralization, crystallization, chemical precipitations, solid/liquid separations, and ion exchange. The successful candidate will have strong communication and leadership skills with a proven ability to improve safety in OSHA and MSHA regulated environments.

The position will report to the Safety Manager and will be based out of the Winnemucca, NV, business office during construction and transition to the Thacker Pass Project during commissioning and throughout production. Travel to LAC offices and business units, various engineering groups, and vendor offices will be required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Safety Manager to develop and implement effective safety programs for the Thacker Pass Project (TPP) and to coordinate daily Health and Safety (H&S) activities
• Collaborate with managers, directors, and supervisors to promote a culture of safety excellence
• Participate in the site Safety Committee Organization (SCO) and support initiatives
• Conduct regular safety and equipment walk-throughs and inspections of facilities, equipment, and emergency response systems to ensure compliance and safe operations
• Develop, administer and deliver MSHA/OSHA required training for employees, contractors and visitors; maintain training documentation and provide verification of training
• Conduct hazard assessments for all new chemicals to be brought on site
• Support site industrial hygiene programs, including occupational exposure monitoring
• Review and manage Safe Work Permits (e.g., Confined Space, Lockout/Tagout, Excavation) to ensure proper issuance, compliance, and closure
• Oversee PPE and lockout equipment programs, ensuring availability, maintenance, and proper usage
• Coordinate onboarding safety training for contractors and visitors
• Assists supervisors and management in the timely investigation of incidents, identification of root cause and rapid correction of contributing factors with documented closure
• Prepare detailed plans of action to address safety improvements
• Participates in continuous improvement projects to enhance safety performance
• Assists to maintain all required safety compliance documentation
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or technical discipline related to health and safety, or equivalent relevant work experience
• 2 to 4 years of proven work experience serving as a Safety Specialist or similar leadership role in the chemical, oil and gas, or mineral processing industry is highly preferred
• Emergency Medical Technical (EMT) certification or State First Responders’ certification a plus
• Working knowledge of S. and Nevada OSHA and/or MSHA regulations; experience in an OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) facility is preferred
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies including MSHA and OSHA
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines as well as manage change and work independently
• Demonstrated ability implementing a sustainable behavioral safety program and utilizing programs such as SafeStart or similar
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and safety management software (e.g., VelocityEHS, SafeStart).
• Self-motivated team player with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work independently and effectively across diverse teams
• Ability to critically challenge assumptions, “think outside the box”, and deliver creative
• Coordinate health and safety team activities and oversee H&S consultants and plant personnel
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, creative thinking, and the ability to develop effective, realistic action plans
• Personal commitment to core Purpose, Vision and Values
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.