VP Environmental, Health & Safety

Summary

The VP Environmental Health & Safety plans, implements, manages and directs corporate environmental, health and safety (EH&S) strategies, policies, programs and processes to ensure compliance by all NYPA operations with all applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and requirements.  Establishes and maintains EHS management programs aimed at continual performance improvement and establish and continuously demonstrate expectations of striving to avoid and minimize incidents and injuries.  Continuously evaluate programs, performance, and incidents to refine and improve programs that strive for excellence and help to prevent events.

Responsibilities

• Create, design, evaluate and communicate a clear environmental, health and safety vision, direction and strategy throughout the organization, and with contractors, that motivates and influences others to commit to and support the strategic direction and vision.
• Maintain focus at the strategic level and leverage staff, management and contractors appropriately to accomplish strategic and tactical goals. 
• Lead the effort to develop and implement safety strategies and programs that align with the organizational goals. 
• Provide leadership, focus and clarity of direction to the environmental, health and safety team and the organization.  Play a key role in strategic discussions; drive discussions to resolution or consensus.
• Through programs, policies, training, etc., ensure Authority staff is readily aware of safe working practices and cognizant of utility-related health issues, and environmental concerns and regulatory requirements. 
• 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 (EH&S) 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. 
• Be accountable for, define metrics and report to the Executive Management Committee on Authority EH&S performance.
• Maintain active dialog with EH&S regulatory agency management and staff personnel in order to facilitate permit processing, submittal reviews and agency interpretation. 
• Maintain on-going relationship with Environmental Sector Council at EPRI, Environmental Energy Alliance Administrative Committee, and similar environmental and safety-related organizations.  
• Provide business direction and leadership to staff of full-time employees, temporary and contractors. Establish performance goals and measurements on both the Corporate and business unit level. Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill sets to solve both short- and long-term issues including succession planning.
• Responsible for O&M budget in excess of $3 million dollars, with some multiple of that number in capital expenditures through direct contracts for studies and analytical efforts.  Regulatory failure can be measured lost time by employees and fines or penalties in the range of $25,000 per day; avoided cost dimensions of the position are substantial.
• Represent the Authority as its “State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) Officer” and the “Agency Preservation Officer” for purposes of compliance with SHPO requirements. The Vice President also represents the Authority on the Environmental Sector Council of the Electric Research Power Institute (EPRI) where duties can include representation on the Environmental Council Executive committee.  
• The position additionally carries the responsibility of the designated Authority Officer for compliance with all federally enforceable environmental permits and programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Executive presence with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that will 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 EH&S compliance and improvement plans. 
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills and specialized knowledge of risk management and safety practices.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in use of various computer applications such as Excel, MS word and various other database derived applications.
• Knowledge of US federal and state regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health and the environment.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative in all aspects of EH&S management. 
• Ability to initiate action with all levels including: various Business Unit Leads, facility managers, facility EH&S staff members, regulatory agency staff members, and, as necessary, implement emergency response procedures.  
• Strong managerial, communication and interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to work with various functional groups.

Education, Experience and Certifications

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

Physical Requirements

• Approximately 20% travel primarily within NY State.