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How to Find the Right EHS Professional for Your Team

By Ajoy Gonsalves

EHS Industry

October 23, 2022

As the saying goes, people are your most important asset. And when it comes to environment, health and safety (EHS), this couldn't be more true. The right EHS professional can mean the difference between a safe and prosperous workplace and one that's plagued by accidents and injuries.

  1. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS): What Does It Mean?
  2. How Can You Find These Professionals?
  3. What Types of Qualifications Should Your Candidate Have?
  4. EHS Recruitment
    1. Know What You Need
    2. Look for Experience in Your Industry
    3. Ask for Results
    4. Make Sure They're a Good Fit for Your Culture
  5. Conclusion

But with so many qualified candidates out there, how do you know you're making the right hire? Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect EHS professional for your team.

#1. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS): What Does It Mean?

The term EHS refers to the combination of occupational safety, risk management and environmental compliance. In short, it's all about keeping your employees safe from injury and making sure that you're complying with any local regulations regarding pollution or hazardous materials.

Since each country has its own set of laws for these types of issues, it's important to hire a professional who is familiar with the specific environment in which you operate. For example, if your business operates in California — which has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the US — you'll want an expert who understands your state and federal requirements as well as what you can expect from regulators.

#2.How Can You Find These Professionals?

There are a few different ways to find an EHS expert. For one thing, you can look for job postings on specialized websites and forums, or try checking with local universities that offer environmental science programs. You should also ask friends and colleagues in the industry for referrals.

Another option is to hire a consulting firm like Bellwether EHS. This is particularly beneficial if your business does not already have an EHS department of its own — as it will end up saving you time and money in the long run by giving you access to experts who know how to keep your company compliant and safe from harm.

#3.What Types of Qualifications Should Your Candidate Have?

When looking at resumes, check whether candidates have experience working in environments with similar hazards, such as manufacturing or healthcare. Also make sure they’re well-versed in environmental issues like pollution and waste management.

A good way to figure out if they're qualified is by asking them what certifications they've received from a regulatory body like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In addition, you should ask whether candidates have experience performing the type of work that your business requires — such as evaluating safety procedures at production facilities, handling hazardous materials for recycling companies or conducting air quality tests for hospitals and clinics.

Finally, check references to see how well candidates perform under pressure — after all, it's not uncommon for EHS professionals

#4. EHS Recruitment

Finding the Perfect Candidate for Your CompanyIf you're looking to hire an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professional, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's important to find someone who has the experience and qualifications needed to handle your company's specific environmental issues.To do this here are some tips:

#4.1. Know What You Need

Before you start your search, it's important to take a step back and assess your needs. What specific skills and experience is your ideal candidate supposed to have? Do you need someone with a deep knowledge of OSHA regulations? Or someone who's an expert in chemical safety? The more specific you can be about the skills and experience you're looking for, the easier it will be to find the right candidate.

#4.2. Look for Experience in Your Industry

While there are some general principles that all EHS professionals should know, each industry has its own unique set of challenges. For example, manufacturing plants have to worry about things like machine safety, while office buildings need to focus on indoor air quality and ergonomics. So when you're reviewing candidates' resumes, pay close attention to their work history. Are they coming from an industry similar to yours? If so, they'll likely have an easier time hitting the ground running.

#4.3. Ask for Results

An EHS professional can talk all day about theory and best practices—but at the end of the day, what really matters is results. So during the interview process, be sure to ask each candidate about specific initiatives they've undertaken in previous roles and what kind of impact they had. Did they help reduce worker injuries by X percent? Did they improve employee compliance with safety regulations by Y percent? The answers to these questions will give you a good sense of whether or not a given candidate is up for the challenge.

#4.4. Make Sure They're a Good Fit for Your Culture

You might have found the perfect candidate on paper—but if they're not a good fit for your company culture, it's not going to work out in the long run. So during the interview process, take some time to get to know each candidate as a person. Do their values align with those of your organization? Do they seem like someone who would be a good fit with your existing team? These are important factors to consider when making your final decision.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that finding the right EHS professional takes time, effort and due diligence. But if you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to building a strong and effective team that will keep your workplace safe for years to come.