Job Description
Our Global Workplace and Enterprise Services (GWES) team delivers a safe, reliable, and compliant environment that supports research and production while protecting colleagues, communities, and the environment.
The Senior Specialist, GWES EHS Compliance and Operations is a field‑facing, execution‑focused role responsible for day‑to‑day Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance across assigned GWES operating areas in the SE Pennsylvania region. This role ensures reliable, compliant operations by simplifying regulatory and permit requirements, EHS standards, and site procedures into practical, site‑level processes; maintaining inspection and audit readiness; and closing commitments from permits, audits, incidents, and process safety reviews.
The incumbent will lead inspections and GEMBA/Go‑See walks, conduct incident investigations and drive CAPA development, provide oversight for Management of Change (MOC) activities, and support projects and key EHS programs (loss prevention, chemical management, life safety). Working closely with operations, Integrated Facility Management (IFM) partners, union representatives, third‑party safety providers, GSEWP, and EHS councils, the Senior Specialist will implement practical improvements that simplify compliance, reduce operational burden, and strengthen risk controls.
Position will report to the Director, Engineering while taking technical day‑to‑day direction from the Associate Director, GWES Compliance.
Primary Activities
The primary activities include and are not limited to the following:
Leadership and Governance Support
Execute GWES Compliance priorities and support the Associate Director in implementing the GWES EHS compliance governance model across site/region councils and IFM partners.
Serve as the compliance point-of-contact for assigned operations and run area-level EHS routines (inspections, tiers, GEMBA/Go‑See walks, and good-catch management).
Compliance Program Management
Lead and document day-to-day EHS programs and compliance activities (e.g., fall protection, competent person training, monthly inspection programs).
Maintain and track commitments from permits, standards, incidents, audits, CAPAs, and PHAs; facilitate timely closure and escalate unresolved items per governance.
Provide oversight and guidance for Management of Change (MOC) activities and ensure MOC documentation is maintained.
Incident Response and Corrective Actions
Lead EHS incident and near-miss investigations; perform root cause analysis and coordinate CAPA development and closure with stakeholders.
Manage good-catch entries, ensuring corrective actions and lessons learned are communicated and implemented.
Operational and Project Support
Support M1/Unit 12 operations, project engineering, and maintenance supervision to integrate compliance into work execution and capital projects.
Support permitting and EHS impact assessments for area-level projects; help close commitments from inspections, audits, and PHAs.
Digital/Data and Continuous Improvement
Enter and maintain EHS data (Enablon/SMIS) for sewering requests, MOC, CAPA tracking and other records; contribute to dashboards and KPIs that measure compliance performance.
Drive process improvements that simplify compliance and reduce operational burden.
Stakeholder Engagement and Third-Party Oversight
Liaise with GSEWP, site operations, Legal, GSMG/GWES, GSE/GES, and EHS Councils to implement site compliance strategies and prioritize initiatives.
Provide oversight (matrix/contractual) to IFM partners and on-site third-party safety personnel.
Partner with union personnel and representatives to implement and sustain EHS programs while respecting labor agreements.
Training, Capability Building and Learning Systems Administration
Develop and deliver area-level safety meeting content and training to upskill operations on EHS requirements and best practices.
Promote proactive EHS behaviors, visual management, and ownership at the floor level.
Administer departmental learning systems and reporting (e.g., MyLearning), including generating and distributing reports.
Education Minimum Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Safety, or related discipline.
Required Experience and Skills:
Minimum of 3 years of experience in EHS compliance, facilities/utility operations, engineering, or related technical roles in an industrial, research, or biopharmaceutical environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead EHS incident and near-miss investigations independently, perform root cause analysis, and drive CAPA development to closure.
Proven experience executing compliance programs, performing inspections, and maintaining inspection/permit tracking with measurable results (e.g., improved inspection completion rates or CAPA closure timelines).
Experience working in a union environment and effectively partnering with union personnel and representatives.
Experience providing oversight to Integrated Facility Management (IFM) partners and third‑party contractors, including documenting contractual safety expectations and monitoring performance.
Hands-on experience with Enablon, SMIS or similar EHS data systems for data entry, tracking and dashboard support.
Demonstrated ability to interpret MOC and permit implications for operational work and recommend controls or escalate appropriately.
Strong communication skills with experience delivering training and presenting EHS guidance to operational audiences.
Proficiency with MS Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)..
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Operations and EHS knowledge/experience, especially in high-risk work, and working around large-scale industrial equipment, site facilities, and laboratory equipment (boilers, turbines, chillers, cooling towers, storage tanks, pumps, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, centrifuges, autoclaves, water treatment systems).
Professional experience in engineering, facilities work, or related coursework.
Demonstrated experience supporting permitting (e.g., Title V, RCRA) or process safety activities at the site level.
Track record of driving process improvements that measurably reduced compliance burden or improved KPI performance..
Certifications such as OSHA 30, HAZWOPER, CSP, CIH, CHMM, or Lean/Six Sigma Green/Black Belt are a plus.
#eligibleforerp
Required Skills:
Compliance Strategies, Conducting Investigations, EHS Compliance, EHS Policy, Facility MaintenancePreferred Skills:
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U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$117,000.00 - $184,200.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
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Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
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N/AJob Posting End Date:
05/2/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.