The posting
We are seeking a proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Coordinator to support safety, occupational health, security, and environmental compliance programs across NOIRLab's Arizona facilities.
In this hands-on position, you will work closely with the Global EHS Team, scientists, engineers, technical personnel, leadership, and contractors to identify risks, strengthen safety practices, and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
This is an opportunity for an EHS professional who enjoys combining fieldwork, technical problem-solving, training, and collaboration in a distinctive scientific and engineering environment.
Important Location Requirement: This position requires travel to Kitt Peak National Observatory, approximately 56 miles southwest of Tucson, multiple days per week. Work may involve mountain roads, remote facilities, and elevations exceeding 7,000 feet.
Preference will be given to qualified internal candidates and qualified Native Americans residing on or near the Tohono O'odham reservation.
What you'll do
Safety Inspections, Risk Assessment & Compliance
- Conduct routine and targeted EHS inspections, audits, and workplace assessments across NOIRLab's Arizona facilities.
- Identify workplace hazards, evaluate risks, recommend corrective actions, and follow up to verify that safety concerns are addressed.
- Review Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), work procedures, and safety controls before high-risk or nonroutine activities.
- Evaluate compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA standards, site-specific procedures, and other relevant safety regulations and best practices.
- Provide technical safety guidance in areas including:
- Fall protection and working at heights
- Electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and arc-flash hazards
- Rigging, lifting operations, and critical lifts
- Scaffolding and elevated work platforms
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Confined space evaluation and entry
- Welding, hot work, and fire prevention
- Equipment operation and operator qualifications
- Construction activities and contractor safety
Incident Investigation & Emergency Response
- Respond to workplace safety incidents and assist in coordinating appropriate follow-up activities.
- Conduct incident investigations, identify root causes and contributing factors, and recommend preventive and corrective measures.
- Prepare accurate incident reports, investigation documentation, and post-incident summaries in collaboration with EHS leadership.
- Support emergency preparedness, response planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Depending on assigned duty location, maintain applicable Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and perform associated emergency medical response duties.
Training & Safety Culture
- Coordinate, schedule, and deliver safety training for employees, volunteers, and contractors.
- Support OSHA-, NFPA-, and other standards-based training programs.
- Maintain accurate training records and track required certifications and refresher training.
- Develop and update training materials to address emerging hazards, regulatory requirements, and operational needs.
- Build positive working relationships across departments and encourage proactive hazard reporting, safe work practices, and shared accountability for safety.
EHS Program Administration & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain EHS records, inspection findings, corrective action documentation, and regulatory reports.
- Review and update safety policies, procedures, forms, and technical guidance to reflect current regulations, industry standards, and organizational needs.
- Support required reporting related to occupational safety, health, workers' compensation, security, and environmental compliance.
- Collaborate with the Global EHS Team and regularly communicate program progress, challenges, and improvement opportunities.
- Support compliance with applicable government award terms and conditions assigned to the position.
- Follow AURA property management requirements, including reporting missing, stolen, damaged, or nonfunctioning property within assigned work areas.
Requirements
What we're looking for
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Protection, Emergency Management, or a closely related field, plus at least two years of relevant professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Working knowledge of occupational health and safety principles, hazard identification, risk assessment, safety management systems, and workplace inspections and audits.
- Familiarity with OSHA and applicable state, local, or tribal safety, health, and environmental regulations.
- Understanding of engineering principles, particularly those related to mechanical or structural systems.
- Knowledge of hazardous materials, environmental hazards, and waste management requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver effective safety training and presentations.
- Ability to communicate technical safety requirements clearly to employees, contractors, and personnel with diverse professional backgrounds.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, or comparable productivity and presentation software.
- Ability to perform field inspections, audits, surveys, and equipment evaluations involving walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, and navigating industrial or outdoor environments at elevations exceeding 7,000 feet, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Possession of a current, valid driver's license as required by applicable law.
- Ability to safely operate a vehicle on mountain, dirt, and gravel roads.
- Ability to travel regularly to Kitt Peak National Observatory and occasionally to other NOIRLab locations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional safety certification, such as Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), or a comparable credential.
- Experience in construction safety, contractor oversight, or high-risk industrial operations.
- Experience working with observatory facilities, research infrastructure, or complex technical environments.
- Fall Protection Competent Person or Critical Lift Competent Person training.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) training or hazardous waste management experience.
- NFPA 70E electrical safety training.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Work Environment
This position combines office-based responsibilities with hands-on safety activities in technical, industrial, and outdoor environments.
The role may require:
- Remaining stationary for extended periods, including approximately 50% of the workday.
- Moving throughout offices, laboratories, maintenance areas, and observatory facilities.
- Regular use of computers, office equipment, and communication tools.
- Moving equipment weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.
- Communicating effectively and observing workplace conditions, equipment, hazards, and safety-related details.
- Working at high-elevation observatory sites, with summit elevations ranging from approximately 6,800 to 14,000 feet.
- Occasional domestic or international travel, including travel to observatory facilities in Arizona, Chile, and Hawai‘i.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Hourly Salary Range: $34.00–$47.00
Final compensation will be based on relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and other applicable factors.
Benefits
AURA offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Paid time off
- Employer retirement plan contributions
- A collaborative and mission-driven work environment
- The opportunity to support internationally recognized astronomical research
For additional benefits information, visit AURA Benefits by Location.
This position will remain open until filled. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may request support here.
