VP, Environmental Health and Safety

Summary

The VP, Environmental Health & Safety plans, implements, manages and directs corporate environmental, health and safety (EHS) strategies, policies, programs and processes to ensure compliance by all NYPA operations with all applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and requirements. The VP will establish and maintain EHS management programs aimed at continual performance improvement and establish and continuously demonstrate expectations of striving to avoid and minimize incidents and injuries. The VP will drive initiatives to increase awareness, execution, and compliance with all policies to ensure a safe and effective working  environment. The safety of our employees is of the highest priority for New York Power Authority (NYPA) and must be evident in everything we do.

Responsibilities

• Drive and sustain the embedding of safety as a core value and fundamental part of NYPA’s culture
• Create, design, evaluate, and communicate a clear environmental, health and safety vision.
• Provide direction and strategy throughout the organization and with contractors, motivating and influencing others to commit to and support the strategic direction and vision.
• Lead and develop the EHS organization to meet growth objectives; ensures appropriate staffing and capabilities are available.
• Implement consistent policies and procedures across all sites. Evaluate the effectiveness of preventative measures like training and safety talks in improving safety metrics.
• Remain cognizant of statutory and regulatory developments on the State and Federal level and their potential consequences for Authority business strategies. Provide insight on environment, health and safety (EHS) regulatory consequences of proposed actions by the Authority and take steps to ensure Authority goals are accomplished. 
• Drive policy in areas such as greenhouse gas control and sustainability and other extra regulatory and emerging concepts in environmental management. Execute all necessary steps to ensure that the Authority meets its commitment to the environment and the absolute safety commitment inherent in its Mission Statement. 
• Lead EHS continuous improvement efforts to detect and eliminate potential risks; establish standards and methods for measuring EHS performance and maintain a visible dashboard to ensure on-going safety recognition and corrective action. 
• Maintain ongoing relationship with Environmental Sector Council at EPRI, Environmental Energy Alliance Administrative Committee, and similar environmental and safety related organizations.
• Responsible for O&M budget of 3M+.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that exhibit collaborative leadership and the ability to develop partnerships with key stakeholders
• Highly knowledgeable in technical issues involving environmental health and safety program areas and serve as the key environmental health and safety expert and leader.
• A strategist with tactical acumen, knowledge of environmental, health and safety codes and regulations.
• Proven success in creating and implementing EHS compliance and improvement plans with an understanding of relevant codes and regulations.
• Proven leadership abilities, including the ability to coach, mentor and develop EHS professionals and engage cross-functional teams
• Strong managerial, communication and interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to work with various functional groups.
• Demonstrated skills in establishing and maintaining relationships and influence within all levels of the organization to integrate EHS objectives into operational focuses, set strategies for EHS improvement and gain support for needed deployment resources.
• Strong management skills to lead and develop a team of EHS professionals through both direct and dotted line relationships.

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering or related field. Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) is preferred. 
• Minimum 15 years of directly related experience in the utility industry preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of people management experience preferred
• Preferred certifications include Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Chemicals Safety Management (CSM), OSHA Certified Instructor, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHHM), and Certified Environmental Manager (CEM). Knowledge of EH&S management issues in other industries through job experience or professional associations is advantageous. 
   

Physical Requirements

• Approximately 20% travel primarily within NY State.