ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, & SAFETY TECHNICIAN (EHS)

The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Technician is responsible for all Verbio Agriculture, LLC (VEA) environmental, health, and safety programs ensuring compliance with government safety regulations and standards as well as all company policies. This role will provide leadership and direction to the site leadership team to ensure the facility maintains an injury free culture and is compliant with all environmental regulations. This is a full-time hourly non-exempt position.

POSITION DETAILS:

Job Type: Full-Time

Pay: Hourly

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Location: Nevada, Iowa

WHAT WE WILL EXPECT FROM YOU

Requirements:

• Valid Drivers License with Acceptable driving record.
• Must have working knowledge of federal OSHA, DOT, RCRA, and EPA regulations.
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PPT, Outlook)
• Ability to work under adverse conditions (dust, extreme heat and cold, wind, rain, ice, snow, etc.)
• At least 5 years of work experience in Environmental, health, and Safety showing progressive responsibilities.
• With a mix of (preferred):
  • Farming, manufacturing, industrial environments
  • Biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas)
  • Agriculture environment
• Demonstrated success in leading and implementing EHS programs and systems in an agriculture environment.
• Ability to work under adverse conditions (dust, extreme heat and cold, wind, rain, ice, snow, etc.)
• Ability to frequently stand and/or walk for extended periods of time.
• Working around moving objects/vehicles.
• Ability to frequently lift and/or carry heavy objects up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to utilize a telephone for communication with internal customers.
• Works in a way that demonstrates safety is a priority. Promotes a work environment that is safe for everyone.
• Must wear all required PPE when moving around the plant site.
• Flexibility and willingness to work on evenings and the weekend as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, safety, safety and environmental management, or other related EHS field.

Responsibilities:

• Help develop, write, and implement corporate EHS policies, procedures, and programs to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provide leadership and direction to the site leadership team to achieve the EHS vision.
• Perform frequent site safety inspections at the site for PPE compliance, lockout, hazard communication, new process, and industrial hygiene needs.
• Perform onsite safety and environmental training with contractors, employees, and visitors.
• Work with plant leadership team and plant safety manager to discuss and implement changes that increase performance in all EH&S areas.
• Ensure all required compliance audits are performed and documented, gaps are communicated, and deficiency plans are developed and implemented.
• Lead the company’s monthly safety committee meetings.
• Work with Plant safety manager to develop and implement success planning for future plants and projects.
• Help implement an incident investigation process including robust 5 why or root cause analysis.
• Perform accident investigations to determine the facts related to an accident or incident based on witness interviews, site inspections and collection of other evidence, and report findings. Take necessary actions to eliminate hazards or unsafe work procedures/processes in the future utilizing site resources.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Verbio’s safety suppliers as well as Verbio’s customers and internal stakeholders, as needed.

• Respond to and handle issues after hours and on weekends as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

We offer competitive wages with overtime pay for any hours over 40 in a work week. Starting salary is based on candidate experience, education and market pay for the role in the region. As a team member at Verbio North America, you’ll also enjoy:

• Comprehensive benefits package beginning day one, including health, dental, vision, life insurance.
• Company paid short & long-term disability coverage as well as AD&D.
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time with additional leave plans
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 15 days of paid vacation time
  • 5 sick/personal days
• Automatic 5% employer contribution into a 401(k) account after 90 days.
• Career advancement and bonus opportunities
• Career Development: on-the-job training and skills development.

ABOUT US:

The VERBIO Nevada Biorefinery, located in Nevada, Iowa (USA), is the first industrial scale renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in North America using agricultural residues as its feedstock. The plant is 100% owned by VERBIO North America Holdings Corporation.

RNG production from corn stover began in December 2021 with the completion of Phase I, at a capacity of 7 million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) per year. Upon completion of Phase II in the 4th quarter of 2022, the site will begin operating as a biorefinery, producing 60 million gallons of corn-based ethanol and an additional 19 million (EGE) of RNG from stillage. The integration of RNG and ethanol production, unique to VERBIO, incorporates advanced operational technology currently practiced at the company’s facilities in Germany. The process also yields humus, a soil amendment, and organic fertilizers.

VERBIO Diesel Canada is the 45 million gallon per year biodiesel facility located in Welland, Ontario (Canada). The plant is a wholly owned subsidiary of VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG and has been operating since August 2019. The plant is currently designed to run on canola and soybean oil and produces crude glycerin and biodiesel transportation fuel as outputs. We are currently developing plans to eventually double the nameplate capacity of the plant, accept different types of feedstocks, and implement several of VERBIO’s proprietary technologies, including crude oil refining and crude glycerin distillation.

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG (VERBIO AG), with headquarters in Leipzig, Germany, is a leading independent manufacturer of biofuels and bioenergy in Germany and Europe. The company began producing biofuel in 2001 and today has approximately 900 employees at its locations in Germany, Poland, Hungary, India, USA and Canada producing biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane (renewable natural gas), as well as feed, bio-fertilizers and other high-value by-products for the nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, all on an industrial scale. VERBIO concentrates on the use of internally developed innovative and efficient energy-saving production processes. With its innovative processes and highly efficient production plants, VERBIO is a technology leader in the biofuels market.

In January 2018, VERBIO AG formed its US subsidiary, VERBIO North America (VNA), with headquarters in Livonia, Michigan, USA. VNA plans to build, own, operate, and finance biofuel facilities across the United States and Canada.

Our Vision

Energy production from renewable resources is the key component of the world’s future energy mix. Renewable raw materials have the potential to permanently replace fossil fuels and simultaneously solve the problem of surplus agricultural production in North America and elsewhere.

It is VERBIO’s goal to be a leader in 21st century alternative green energy solutions. As we consolidate and expand our position as one of the world’s leading biofuels producers, we will leverage our technologies and the value of agriculture to create renewable and sustainable solutions globally, while pursing solid growth and responsible relationships with our stakeholders: farmers, customers, employees, shareholders, partners, researchers, consumers, governmental entities, and interest groups.

Our Mission

VERBIO North America is committed to the principle of sustainability and treats natural resources in a socially responsible and ethical manner. Using the latest technologies, developed in-house, we are creating sustainable alternatives for a world whose desire is to move away from fossil fuels. Our business model endeavors to ignite change and create platforms where the path to green energy is contagious.

With our fuels cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels, we are showing the way forward in climate protection. And with a vision for a greener future, we are building strong competence centers and competitive production facilities in different parts of the world, while our employees partner alongside farmers to safeguard the environment for current and future generations.

Our Approach

• Be creative, innovative, ethical, and fast in execution.
• Partner with agriculture to safeguard land and natural resources for future generations.
• Create enthusiasm around sustainability and renewable energy production.
• Empower employees to develop & execute upon big ideas.
• Be good citizens in our local & global communities.
• Never stop technological improvement.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you meet the requirements of this opportunity and want to impact our mission, we encourage you to apply now. Please submit your application on our website at https://www.verbio.us/careers. Please include the following items when applying:

• Resume
• Cover letter with salary requirements
• Three professional references’ names and contact information

Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a background check and drug test.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form (I-9) upon hire.

Verbio North America reserves the right to change job descriptions and wage scales at their discretion based on market and company conditions. Positions will be filled based upon experience, prior work history, education, and competency.

Verbio North America is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in is application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s).

Verbio North America is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization. Verbio North America makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.