Director of Environmental, Health and Safety
Aurora Launch Services (ALS): Aurora Launch Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alaska Aerospace, established to provide low cost, highly reliable launch services on a contract basis to both government and commercial space launch customers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, co-located with Alaska Aerospace.
Position Summary: Reporting to the Spaceport Manager, the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) leads the implementation of Environmental, Health, and Safety initiatives, balancing multiple priorities and adapting quickly to changing demands. This position provides strategic direction and applies sound EHS principles to resolve complex issues, support regulatory compliance, and deliver results independently and promote a strong safety culture across the organization.
Location: This position is based in Kodiak, AK. Work is performed on-site. Occasional travel to other operational sites may be required in support of program activities.
Primary Job Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs that ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and customer-specific regulatory requirements, including OSHA/AKOSH, EPA, Alaska DEC, DOT, NFPA, and other applicable aerospace requirements.
Lead the organization's safety culture by establishing strategic EHS objectives, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and promoting employee engagement in workplace safety and environmental stewardship.
Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of all occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, hazardous materials, and emergency response programs.
Partner with executive leadership, operations, engineering, and quality teams to integrate EHS principles into operational activities, facility operations, capital projects, and business planning activities.
Establish and monitor EHS performance metrics, analyze trends, and develop proactive strategies to reduce workplace injuries, environmental impacts, and regulatory risks.
Direct incident investigation and root cause analysis activities, ensuring corrective and preventive actions are implemented and sustained to prevent recurrence.
Oversee environmental compliance programs, including air emissions, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous waste management, chemical management, and environmental permitting requirements.
Manage regulatory inspections, internal audits, customer assessments, and third-party audits while serving as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and external stakeholders.
Develop and administer EHS training programs to ensure employees, supervisors, and managers understand and fulfill their safety and environmental responsibilities.
Direct emergency preparedness and business continuity efforts, including emergency response planning, drills, crisis management, and incident command activities.
Manage EHS department budgets, staffing, contractor performance, and capital expenditures to effectively support organizational objectives.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of environmental, occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials, risk assessment, and hazard prevention and control principles.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable federal, safety, and industry EHS regulations and standards.
Demonstrated ability to identify and assess workplace hazards, evaluate risk, recommend appropriate controls, and support safe operations in industrial, construction, field, and other high-hazard environments. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to conduct or lead incident investigations and develop effective corrective and preventative actions.
Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with ability to develop policies, reports, and training materials.
Ability to lead and influence a proactive safety culture across all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams and exercise sound professional judgement.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; ability to use other computer systems, including but not limited to email, digital timekeeping, training, and compliance systems.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing requirements within a dynamic, mission-driven aerospace environment.
Required Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible EHS experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and a minimum of six (6) years of related EHS experience.
Experience in conducting incident investigations, personal protective equipment assessments, job hazard analyses, compliance inspections, and corrective-action activities.
Experience with occupational safety programs, such as electrical, lockout-tagout, material handling, contractor safety, confined spaces, fall protection, forklift operations, and other hazardous operations.
Experience developing and delivering EHS compliance and safety training to various types of audience.
Valid driver’s license required.
Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or other relevant professional EHS certification preferred.
Incident Command System, including ICS 100/200/300 preferred.
Experience with Deltek Costpoint preferred.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates primarily in a professional office environment with extended periods of sitting and computer use. Work may also occur in industrial, launch-site, construction, and field environments. Site inspections and operational walkdowns may require uneven terrain, stairs, inclement weather, extended standing or walking, use of required personal protective equipment, and light lifting of up to 20 pounds. Travel to company facilities, operational sites, or other business-related locations may be required based on organizational needs.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises the Pacific Spaceport Complex–Alaska Range Safety Office and other assigned personnel. Responsibilities may include planning and assigning work, setting priorities, monitoring performance and work quality, providing coaching and feedback, supporting training and development, addressing performance concerns in coordination with management and Human Resources, and ensuring assigned functions support organizational and operational objectives.
Additional Requirements:
Ability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by mission campaigns, as applicable.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
Successful completion of pre-employment background check and drug screening.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of Aurora Launch Services to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Compensation
A competitive salary and benefits package, determined upon experience level of individual, will be negotiated after an offer to hire has been given.
To Apply
Please apply online on Indeed.com or send a resume and cover letter to careers@akaerospace.gov. Professional references required. We recognize that candidates may not meet every listed qualification and encourage applicants with relevant experience, transferable skills, and interest in the role to apply. For questions call (907) 413-2301. This position will remain open until filled.