Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Lead

A subsidiary of Veolia group, Veolia North America (VNA) is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.

Job Description

To plan, coordinate, and implement the Health and Safety activities for the Annacis Island Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) Demonstration Facility. This position is exceptionally critical because the HTL process involves continuous operations under extreme high-temperature (up to 350∘C) and high-pressure (200 bar-g) conditions. These extreme parameters introduce significantly increased risks; if critical process boundaries—known as Safe Operating Limits (SOL)—are exceeded, it can result in catastrophic equipment failure and severe Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) consequences. The HSE Lead is crucial for mitigating these compounded risks, which include the handling of Biocrude Oil (a Class IIIA combustible liquid), managing hazardous waste byproducts, and preventing exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

The duties of the HSE Lead role are as follows, but not limited to:

Phase 1: Pre-Operational Procedure & Manual Development

During the first phase of the contract (prior to Commissioning), the HSE Lead will focus heavily on drafting and finalizing the foundational documents required to safely maintain the facility.

1. Documentation & SOPs: Receives draft documents from the design engineers and vendors and develops the final, site-specific Lock-Out/Tag-Out/Try-Out procedures, EHS policy, Emergency Response Plan.
2. Maintenance Checklists: Creates comprehensive per-shift and weekly Safety checklists.
3. Safety & Regulatory Audits: Participates in virtual and in-person meetings with the engineering teams to review process control narratives, and actively participates in formal Safety Audits to identify hazards and potential solutions.
4. TSBC Coordination: Initiates and leads discussions with Technical Safety BC (TSBC) to establish and document strict protocols for maintaining and servicing regulated high-pressure equipment and piping.

Phase 2: Start-Up & Commissioning

1. Observation & Deficiency Identification in terms of EHS: Attends the 6-week Start-up and Testing phase (conducted on water by the general contractor) to observe, learn equipment details, and participate in a formal walk-through to identify any deficiencies prior to the official Turnover.
2. Commissioning Execution: quality and EHS controls during the intensive 4-week sludge Commissioning phase doing, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Turnover Readiness: Ensures all safety folders, specialized CPE, and warranty materials are organized and accepted during the Acceptance for Commissioning.

Phase 3: Ongoing Operations & Maintenance

1. Plans, coordinates, and implements all activities specific to the Occupational Health and Safety Program for the site, maintaining a constant focus on the unique risks of high-temperature and high-pressure industrial processes.
2. Prepares, maintains, and trains staff on a comprehensive safety manual detailing procedures for public and worker safety, fire protection, spill clean-up, and complex emergency shutdowns.
3. Conducts Safety Audits, hazard and operability analyses (HAZOP), and risk identification/mitigation reviews in collaboration with engineering teams and contractors.
4. Develops and finalizes site-specific Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) and Spill Response Plans.
5. Ensures that all staff and visitors are equipped with and trained to use personal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors and other specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
6. Acts upon, in a timely manner, any unsafe conditions observed and ensures strict compliance with the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of health, safety, and environment (HSE) experience in similar high-temperature, high-pressure industrial process applications (ideally in the Oil & Gas Industry).
• Post-Secondary Education in Occupational Health & Safety or Industrial Hygiene.
• Possess and maintain current and valid Health and Safety Designation issued from an accredited organization within Canada such as CRSP or equivalent.
• First Aid, CPR, WHMIS, Respiratory Protective Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, and Emergency Response training certifications are required.
• Strong knowledge of environmental regulations, the British Columbia Workers Compensation Act, and applicable safety codes.
• Strong leadership, communication, and creative problem-solving skills to facilitate open discussions and effect pro-active safety management on a daily basis.

Hours of Work and Working Conditions :

Hours of work : The facility operates on a 24/7 basis, requiring continuous coverage. Shift workers and Lead Operators will be required to work rotating shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays).

Please note that this position is for a short-term, 24-month assignment supporting a demonstration facility; however, upon the successful completion of the contract term, there may be opportunities for select personnel to be offered employment directly with the client's team.

Working Conditions:  Work involves exposure to industrial environments with high-temperature (up to 425°C) and high-pressure (up to 263 bar-g) equipment, hazardous waste, biocrude, and chemicals. Use of comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including personal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors, is strictly

Total Compensation Package:

• Base Salary: $110,000 - $140,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Performance-based annual bonus
• Full benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plan, and more

Additional Information

Why join our Resourcers team? Come and Resource the World with us!

• Acting today to create tomorrow's world;

• A company in constant growth;

• A multitude of large-scale projects where you can put your talent to good use;

• Challenges to suit you and the absence of routine;

• The opportunity to develop your career according to your professional goals;

• Internal and external training and coaching programs;

• Competitive compensation, pension and benefits;

• Multidisciplinary work teams and an OHS-oriented work environment.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Candidates must be immediately eligible to work legally in Canada; the employer will not sponsor candidates for a work permit or any other Canadian work authorization for this opportunity. 

Veolia North America is committed to equal opportunity employment and advancement for all employees and potential employees, and to a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.