Environment, Health and Safety Manager

Role Description

The HSE Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, overseeing, and continuously improving the company’s health, safety, and environmental programs across mineral exploration drilling operations. This position provides leadership and technical guidance to ensure employees, contractors, equipment, and project activities comply with company policies, client requirements, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and all other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The HSE Manager will maintain a strong field presence and work closely with operations management, project managers, drill supervisors, drillers, helpers, mechanics, clients, and regulatory agencies to identify hazards, reduce risk, investigate incidents, deliver effective training, and promote a proactive safety culture.

Essential duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company's Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies, programs, procedures, and site-specific plans while promoting a proactive safety culture across all operations.
• Ensure compliance with MSHA regulations, environmental requirements, client expectations, and company policies by managing regulatory reporting, inspections, training programs, certifications, and documentation.
• Conduct routine field inspections, safety audits, job hazard analyses, risk assessments, and workplace evaluations to identify hazards, ensure regulatory compliance, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor drilling operations and high-risk activities, verify the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and support operational leaders in implementing effective safety controls.
• Develop and deliver HSE training, new-hire orientations, toolbox talks, and certification programs while maintaining training records and ensuring employees are qualified to perform their assigned work safely.
• Lead investigations of incidents, near misses, injuries, environmental events, and equipment damage by performing root cause analyses, implementing corrective actions, and coordinating regulatory and client reporting requirements.
• Oversee environmental compliance, including spill prevention, waste management, chemical handling, fuel storage, drilling fluids, reclamation activities, and emergency response planning.
• Maintain accurate HSE records, analyze safety performance metrics and trends, prepare reports for management and clients, and provide strategic guidance to leadership on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supervise and mentor HSE personnel while providing functional safety leadership and support to managers, supervisors, employees, contractors, and project teams throughout the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental health, industrial hygiene, engineering, mining, geology, or a related field; equivalent directly related experience may be considered.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible HSE experience in mineral exploration drilling, mining, heavy industry, construction, oil and gas, or a comparable field environment.

• At least two years of experience in an HSE leadership or management role.

• Strong working knowledge of MSHA regulations and inspection practices.

• Current MSHA Part 46 or Part 48 training appropriate to the company’s operations.

• Current MSHA-approved instructor certification/Blue Card for applicable Part 48 training, or the ability to obtain it within a company-established period.

• Demonstrated experience conducting incident investigations and root-cause analyses.

• Experience developing and delivering employee safety training.

• Knowledge of OSHA, DOT, EPA, workers’ compensation, and applicable state safety and environmental requirements.

• Current driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

• Current first aid, CPR, and AED certification, or the ability to obtain certification upon hire.

• Ability to travel frequently and work at remote project locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting surface and underground mineral exploration drilling operations.

• Certified Mine Safety Professional, Certified Safety Professional, Associate Safety Professional, Construction Health and Safety Technician, or similar professional designation.

• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction certification.

• Experience managing multi-state HSE programs.

• Experience working directly with MSHA inspectors and responding to citations or enforcement actions.

• Knowledge of drilling equipment, mobile equipment, heavy machinery, and maintenance activities.

• Experience with environmental permitting, spill prevention, reclamation, or land-disturbance requirements.

• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of drilling hazards, field operations, and practical risk-control methods.

• Ability to interpret and apply regulatory standards to real-world operations.

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence employees at all organizational levels.

• Ability to address unsafe conduct professionally, consistently, and firmly.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong presentation, coaching, and training abilities.

• Excellent judgment when handling emergencies, investigations, and sensitive employee matters.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation requirements.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with operations, Human Resources, clients, and senior management.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic HSE management and recordkeeping systems.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position regularly works at active mineral exploration drilling locations, mines, shops, yards, and remote field sites. The employee must be able to:

• Frequently walk and stand on uneven, steep, rocky, muddy, snowy, or otherwise challenging terrain.

• Climb stairs, ladders, and equipment-access points.

• Bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and inspect equipment and work areas.

• Occasionally lift or carry up to 50 pounds.

• Wear required personal protective equipment for extended periods.

• Work around drilling equipment, heavy machinery, mobile equipment, noise, dust, chemicals, and moving mechanical components.

• Work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and high-altitude conditions.

• Travel by vehicle or aircraft and remain at remote project locations for extended periods.

• Work nontraditional hours, extended shifts, rotations, weekends, or respond after hours when operational or emergency conditions require.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Safety-Sensitive Position

This is a safety-sensitive position. The employee must remain capable of performing assigned duties safely and may be subject to pre-employment, post-incident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

Disclaimer

• This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected for this position. It is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of every duty, responsibility, qualification, or working condition associated with the role. Duties and responsibilities may be modified based on operational needs, project requirements, client expectations, and changes in applicable laws or regulations.