Company Overview
Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!
Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.
True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.
We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.
You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for promoting and driving continuous improvement of environmental, safety and health systems that result in the reduction of accidents and assures regulatory compliance. The EHS Specialist assists in guiding management and employees alike on environmental, health and safety-related opportunities; by providing support and technical assistance in the administration of compliance with federal, state, local, and company EHS requirements. Provides strategic direction on safety and environmental improvements by analyzing and addressing root causes while reducing corporate liabilities and costs.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Achieve the buy-in at all levels of the Company, support through leadership and technical abilities the safety program at the assigned locations.
• Promote and foster the attitude that health and safety are first and foremost in everything we do and partner with leadership to drive a safety culture that is world-class.
• Take ownership of and drive a strong safety culture where employees go beyond the call of duty to identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and intervene to correct them and where co-workers routinely look out for one another and point out unsafe actions and conditions to each other.
• Support safety committee meetings as technical resources and set the standard for safe working techniques and demonstrate how to properly comply with company safety policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Identify, design and implement creative programs, solutions, and communication tools.
• Advise management on accident prevention measures through continuous review of conditions and behaviors and participate in designing improvements and solutions.
• Audit and inspect facilities for compliance with company safety policies and applicable regulations and develop practices to ensure that everyone from the shop floor to management is engaged in creating and maintaining a safer workplace.
• Design and present training programs to associates addressing relevant safety and environmental issues in order to reduce injuries and illnesses and maintain compliance with environmental regulations.
• Support facility managers and supervisors with accident response, investigation and root cause analysis and be part of any solutions and improvements.
• Ensure team members have access to, been property trained on and use appropriate safety equipment.
• Maintain an open and candid working relationship with immediate supervisor/manager in discussing matters of importance.
• Adhere to established company values, practices, policies and procedures at all times. Follow and support compliance with all applicable safety rules, laws, regulations, and standards. • Develop and maintain EHS-related written programs/policies/procedures, including but not limited to: Lockout-Tagout, Confined Space Entry, Mobile Equipment, Fall Protection, Ergonomics, Electrical Safety, Hearing Conservation, Hazard Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, Emergency Action Plan, Blood borne Pathogens, Waste Management, Spill Response, Storm Water, etc. • Ensure that the facilities remain in compliance with OSHA regulations, as well as Costa Farms EHS standards.
• Manages the development of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA’s) for employee job training. Manages all JHA document control activities
• Facilitate EHS related training initiatives as required
• Measure and openly report on EHS performance metrics
• Integrate EHS needs with other departments to achieve mutually acceptable results
• Assist Human Resources in new employee orientation process and employee return-to-work program. • Perform other duties as assigned
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES:
• Exhibit familiarity with manufacturing work and safety procedures.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of OSHA and EPA rules and regulations.
• Make decisions based on combination of analysis, experience, and professional judgment.
• Demonstrate excellent organization and project coordination skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effectively present information in a way that facilitates learning.
• Lead and motivate team members; spark and direct conversation during committee meetings.
• Read and interpret technical manuals, basic engineering drawings, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Operate a computer—PC proficiency; use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and risk management information systems.
• Use a logical approach to troubleshooting issues and prioritizing production needs.
• Recognize problems when they occur and to work toward the solution of those problems.
• Pay attention to details and pursue quality in accomplishing work duties and tasks. Look for opportunities to reduce costs or increase productivity without reducing effectiveness.
• Handle challenges skillfully, thoroughly, and effectively.
• Effectively and professionally communicate with co-workers, team members, and internal or external customers. Present information clearly and accurately.
• Independently take advantage of opportunities to improve or increase skills, abilities and job knowledge.
• Make sure that work is delivered on time and of high quality.
• Develop good work practices in order to get the job done.
• Use equipment, resources and time in an efficient and effective manner.
• Emergency Response and First Aid/CPR training and experience preferred. • Strong inter-personal skills including demonstrable communication skills both verbal and written. • Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English & Spanish
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Working knowledge of Federal, State and Local Regulations and Industry Requirements
• General Industry Safety Practices and Procedures • General Manufacturing Process Knowledge
• General Construction and Job Site Safety Practices • Excellent customer service skills required
• Knowledge of 29 CFR 1910, 1926 and1928 Preferred
• Working knowledge of ISO 5001, 9000, 14000 and OHSAS 18001 Preferred
EDUCATION/LICENSES/CERTIFICATION/FORMAL TRAINING:
• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university (Chemistry, Environmental/Earth Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Safety/Hygiene, Occupation Healthy and Safety or other related field); at least three (3) years’ experience implementing health and safety initiatives in a manufacturing facility; or any satisfactory combination of education and experience demonstrating your ability to drive a strong safety culture preferred.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry trends and all company, federal and state safety and environmental rules and laws.
• Emergency Response and First Aid/CPR training and experience preferred. JOB REQUIREMENTS:
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.
• Must have a clean driving record • Occasional travel required (15-20%) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Prolonged sitting and terminal work, ability to move around an agricultural & manufacturing environment
• Some lifting (up to 50 lbs.), bending, stooping, twisting, climbing • Hand dexterity and strength
All applicants must be work-authorized.
Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.
After applying, follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on what’s happening around Costa Farms and to start becoming part of our family. Come Grow with Us™!
Costa Farms offers competitive wages and benefits, including:
- 401(k) Plan
- Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
- Health Savings Account
- Care on Demand Telemedicine
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)
- Virtual workplace for certain roles
- Growth Opportunities
- Challenging and exciting work environment
- Costa Farms Scholarship
- Employee discounts on plants
Costa Farms headquarters also has:
- On-site gym with showers
- On-site cafeteria, quiet room, and indoor games
- Love Where You Work activities throughout the year
This organization participates in E-Verify
- E-Verify Notice of Participation / E-Verify Aviso de Participación (English/Español)
- E-Verify Right to Work Poster / E-Verify Cartel Derecho a Trabajar (English/Español)
