Environmental, Heath, and Safety (EHS) Specialist
Ascend Elements is a fast-growing organization that is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials for electric vehicles. Recognized as a climate technology leader, the company elevates the value of recycled elements and engineers’ sustainable battery materials to support the global clean-energy transition. The company’s patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ direct precursor synthesis technology produces new, sustainable cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in improved performance and lower carbon emissions. Ascend Elements is taking sustainability in the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.
The Environmental, Heath, and Safety (EHS) Specialist will be responsible for providing full time EHS support to the operations teams in compliance with applicable policy and regulatory requirements at our Covington, Georgia facility. The individual in this position will support the Corporate EHS team in the coordination of training programs to establish and promote a safe, accident free, and healthy workplace, and maintain compliance with federal and Georgia environmental regulations.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Develop, maintain, and audit environmental, health, and safety programs and systems.
- Support compliance with all federal, state, and local EH&S regulations.
- Provide support regarding routine environmental compliance sampling requirements (e.g., stormwater, air, wastewater).
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and safe workplace habits.
- Assist with coordination of Safety Committee Meetings, lead meetings, when needed.
- Support air, water, wastewater, and hazardous waste permitting and compliance.
- Assist in the development and updating safety standards, instructions, codes, and formalize them into company documented practices, as required.
- Assist in the development of facility specific EHS procedures for safe work practices and equipment operation.
- Audit the implementation of inspection policies and procedures, and a schedule of routine inspections.
- Verify proper safety protocols are in place and being followed.
- Create and facilitate safety and hazard training courses.
- Assist in training managers and staff to identify unsafe behaviors and at-risk conditions.
- Participate in Root Cause Analysis on incidents and near misses.
- Coordinate with all local, state, and federal AHJs to ensure proper completion and filing of all required reports, inspections, and documentation, as required.
- Facilitate emergency response drills and foster relationships with local emergency first responders.
Education and Other Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of EHS experience in a relevant science and engineering field
- Experience with manufacturing/chemical processing knowledge preferred.
- 40-hour HAZWOPER training preferred
- Experience implementing EHS systems
- Experience with process safety, chemical safety, audits and inspections, and risk management
- Ability to function in a fast-paced environment in a growing company
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Knowledge of EHS, OSHA, DOT, RCRA, GA EPD, and shipping laws and regulations
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
- Ability to speak and write English
- Ability to wear an air purifying respirator and other company-required personal protective equipment
- Able to lift 50 pounds
Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
