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Senior Health, Safety and Environmental Specialist – REMOTE, CANADA

The Company


Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, H2O Power operates 8 hydroelectric generating stations located in Ontario and is the third largest provider of hydroelectric power in the province. H2O is majority-owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. Our parent company, FirstLight, is a leading clean power producer, developer and energy storage company with operating and development assets in New England, USA with expansion to other regions actively underway. Our mission and vision is to accelerate the de-carbonization of the electric grid by developing, owning, operating, and integrating large-scale renewable energy and storage assets to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable.

We operate dozens of facilities across North America and proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.

In the US, our operating assets comprise a diverse portfolio of over 1.6 GW of pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), battery storage, conventional hydroelectric generation, and solar generation.

Our development pipeline includes over 2,000 MW of solar, battery and offshore wind projects in various stages of development, and we are developing a portfolio of hybrid hydro, solar and battery projects that combine operational and development assets. We have approximately 180 employees based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ontario and Pennsylvania, and our corporate headquarters are located in Burlington, MA.

We are a team of caring, passionate professionals who are driven to deliver positive climate impact and to have fun while doing it! We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage people with diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to apply.

LOCATIONOshawa, ON (Remote)

The Position

We are looking for an experienced Sr. Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) Specialist to join our team. This position is fully remote based out of our main office in Oshawa, ON and includes travel to H2O assets in Canada and locations outside the region.

Reporting to the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) Director, the Senior Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) Specialist is responsible for providing HS&E leadership and technical support to Canadian Operations. The Sr. HS&E Specialist builds and maintains trust and confidence with the Canadian Operations Team and inspires change through comprehensive risk assessments, data analysis, and coaching. Supports local staff and management to achieve environmental, health, and safety compliance requirements. Works under the HS&E Director and with other department staff to develop and implement HS&E initiatives for H2O Power.

Our ideal candidate possesses experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in H2O’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

Position Detail:

We are looking for an experienced Sr. Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) Specialist to join our team. This position is fully remote based out of our main office in Oshawa, ON and includes travel to H2O assets in Canada and locations outside the region.

Reporting to the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) Director, the Senior Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) Specialist is responsible for providing HS&E leadership and technical support to Canadian Operations. The Sr. HS&E Specialist builds and maintains trust and confidence with the Canadian Operations Team and inspires change through comprehensive risk assessments, data analysis, and coaching. Supports local staff and management to achieve environmental, health, and safety compliance requirements. Works under the HS&E Director and with other department staff to develop and implement HS&E initiatives for H2O Power.

Our ideal candidate possesses experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in H2O’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

  • Ensures the facilities comply with applicable regulatory areas from OHSA, MNR, MOE, MOL, MOT, WSIB and other regulatory agencies
  • Identify, develop, and implement procedures and programs in compliance with local, provincial, and federal rules and regulations
  • Provides guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with H2O HS&E requirements
  • Prepares and submits internal and external HS&E regulatory and non-regulatory reports
  • Manages the disposal of regulated waste across Canadian Operations
  • Assists or conducts industrial hygiene sampling and regulatory sampling as required
  • Assists with the reporting of HS&E-related incidents and leads and/or coaches during investigations
  •  Handles Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims (or claims through other applicable provincial worker’s compensation agencies). This includes promptly reporting workplace injuries and illnesses to WSIB, ensuring compliance with all documentation requirements, and acting as the main point of contact between the organization and WSIB
    • Coordinates with employees, medical professionals, and WSIB representatives to facilitate the claims process effectively. Advocates for the organization’s interests during claim investigations and hearings while promoting a proactive approach to workplace safety to prevent future incidents
    •  Collaborates with relevant stakeholders to implement return-to-work programs for injured employees and monitors claim progress to ensure appropriate resolutions and timely return of employees to their roles
  •  Leads and/or coaches investigations into accidents, incidents, and near-misses with the assistance of the stakeholders where the incidents occur
  • Analyzes root causes and develops corrective actions with the assistance of stakeholders to prevent recurrence. Maintains accurate records of incidents and reportable events as required
  • Assists in the development and implementation of the annual HS&E objectives and goals
  • Conducts risk assessments, workplace inspections, and safety audits to identify potential hazards and assess compliance with safety standards. Collaborates with relevant stakeholders to implement corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness
  • Manages the HS&E training program by identifying, monitoring, sourcing, and coordinating all HS&E training for company personnel while providing oversight to ensure its effectiveness and compliance
  • Tracks, analyzes, and reports HS&E metrics to the department managers to identify trends and opportunities for improvement
  • Provides safety and environmental oversight during plant maintenance activities and projects
  • Facilitates safety and environmental discussions and planning with plant personnel to ensure safe project execution, safety measures implementation, and best practices
  • Collaborates with department managers and supervisors to create safe work practices, environments, and behaviors
  • Works to continuously improve and enhance the environmental, health, and safety practices and procedures
  • Stays current with relevant health and safety laws, regulations, and standards at the local, provincial, and federal levels. Ensures the company’s operations and practices align with these requirements and coordinate efforts to comply with health and safety regulations
  • Stays informed about industry best practices, emerging trends, and technological advancements related to H&S
  • Benchmarks the organization’s H&S performance against industry standards to drive continuous improvement
  • Maintains confidentiality at all times of sensitive information
  • Manages all applicable regulatory documentation in accordance with good practices and regulatory agency requirements
  • Provides input on the HS&E annual budget and business plans
  • Maintains and builds proactive relations with all HS&E vendors and contractors
  • Assists in supervising contractors, government inspectors, and auditors as required
  • Assists with the implementation and compliance of HS&E issues of other divisions when requested
  • Carries out other duties and responsibilities as assigned
  • Complies with all H2O policies and procedures

Job Qualifications / Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety, engineering, or related discipline is required
  • Ability to work effectively with managers, supervisors, and employees under stressful conditions.
  • 10+ years of experience in the environmental, health, and safety field is required
  • Power and/or construction industry experience is a significant preference
  • Proven ability to work effectively with managers, supervisors, and employees under stressful conditions
  • Ability to navigate, comprehend, and interpret HS&E-related regulations and effectively communicate requirements to company personnel
  • Advanced education and training preferred, including OHSA, MOL, MOE, MOT, WSIB, and Emergency Response Preparedness
  • Experience with governmental reporting related to areas such as WSIB injury reporting is preferred
  • Working relationships with regulatory agencies such as MOL, MOE, and WSIB is preferred
  • Must possess the ability to evaluate and propose new methods for implementing safe work practices and conditions
  • A proven ability to work independently on implementing and developing HS&E goals and strategies is required
  • Strong analytical skills with demonstrated problem-solving ability
  • A valid driver’s license is required; Must have the ability/willingness to travel as needed with little notice both within the Canadian Operations service area and other locations outside the region, including the US
  • Experience working in a unionized setting is a plus
  • Must be proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

Applicants are invited to submit a detailed resume outlining your interests and qualifications via our Talent Portal.

H2O Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer; promoting accessibility and inclusivity at work and offering accommodation for applicants as required and requested.