Obtaining an Environmental Health and Safety degree is a step toward a fulfilling career with an array of opportunities. These job opportunities range from teaching safety courses and managing fieldwork to organizing safety plans and building a culture of safety on site.
However, due to the unavoidable dangers and risks associated with EHS jobs, an EHS degree should be paired with skills such as teamwork, physical health and stamina, effective communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving. By combining these skills with a strong educational foundation, EHS professionals are often rewarded with above-average starting salaries, even in entry-level positions.
So, let’s take a deeper look at three careers individuals can enjoy with an EHS degree.
Environmental Health and Safety Managers
Environmental Health and Safety Managers protect the public and the environment by identifying issues, enforcing regulations, analyzing hazards, and preventing accidents and injuries. In addition, they possess extensive knowledge of safety policies and recommend changes that can improve workplace safety and health.
Job responsibilities include:
- Educating and training in management programs
- Accident investigations
- Ensuring safety compliance
- Creating proactive safety and environmental programs
- Improving the quality of established regulations and practices
ResponsAble is currently seeking an Environmental Health and Safety Project Manager. Click the link to learn more:
https://responsablestaffing.com/ehs-careers/
Senior Safety Executive
Another growing career in the EHS field is Senior Safety Executive. In this role, professionals lead jobsite safety performance by overseeing injury prevention, hazard identification, hazard control and correction, compliance with safety policies and procedures, and OSHA regulations, all while representing the Safety Department in a professional manner.
Because this position guides the overall direction of a project, strong leadership skills are essential. As a result, Senior Safety Executives help create a safer, more efficient worksite while fostering a culture of safety that the entire team can follow.
Here’s a snapshot of what is expected from a Senior Safety Executive:
- Conduct regular EHS audits and reviews across different locations to ensure ongoing compliance with required standards, identify gaps, and recommend effective solutions.
- Stay current on and understand all EHS legal requirements, company policies and procedures, and industry and country safety standards for all relevant manufacturing activities.
- Educate and coach sites on EHS standards and regulations, including the impact of non-compliance.
- Provide the EHS Director with compliance performance updates for each site, along with key actions needed to achieve compliance standards.
- Collaborate with globally approved third-party EHS auditors to evaluate audit effectiveness and recommend ongoing partnerships.
- Create a strong EHS culture that engages associates.
ResponsAble has an immediate need for a Senior Safety Executive. For more information, please visit the job description here.
Safety Technician
The final EHS career we’ll discuss is a Safety Technician. In this role, the Safety Technician is responsible for the daily administration and implementation of the client’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) program to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while promoting a safe and healthy work environment. Additionally, the Safety Technician supports the assigned site’s OSH program under the direction of the client supervisor.
Typical responsibilities for a Safety Technician include:
- Maintaining recordkeeping systems, including OSH metrics and KPIs
- Conducting inspections and audits
- Recognizing hazards, performing risk assessments, and providing recommendations to eliminate or mitigate identified hazards
- Addressing employee OSH concerns
- Preparing technical reports
- Coordinating and performing training on all OSH topics
- Participating in and leading emergency response efforts
- Performing industrial hygiene (IH) sampling and monitoring
- Issuing hot work and confined space permits
- Assisting with incident investigations and case management
Now Is the Time to Pursue Your Next EHS Career
The opportunities for safety professionals are expected to continue growing over the next several years at a rate higher than most occupations. In fact, according to the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for occupational safety and health technicians are expected to grow by more than 10% through 2026.
With demand continuing to rise, now is the time to choose a career in EHS. Earn your degree, develop the right skills, and then let ResponsAble help you land the EHS career you’ve been working toward.