EHS Program Manager in Brighton Colorado at Zero Carbon Systems, Inc.

About Zero Carbon Systems

Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying breakthrough technologies designed to reduce atmospheric CO2 at scale, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Backed by mission aligned investors and led by a team of passionate innovators, ZCS sits at the intersection of cutting edge science and real world impact. We are building a diverse, collaborative, and driven team of individuals who share our commitment to excellence, creativity, and the belief that the work we do today will shape the world of tomorrow.

If you are energized by meaningful work and want to be part of a company where your contributions directly advance the clean energy transition, we would love to hear from you.

Position Overview

Zero Carbon Systems seeks an experienced Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Program Manager to lead ZCS's EHS program. This role owns the company's hazardous waste program end to end, leads process safety reviews for the laboratory and R&D environment, and maintains the full library of EHS and process safety documentation. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in chemical operations and a proven record of implementing EHS best practices across a range of environments. This full-time position, based in Brighton, CO, is on-site and reports to the Director of Site Engineering.

EHS Program Leadership

• Serve as the lead of ZCS's EHS program, setting strategy, priorities, and standards across sites and functions.
• Develop, implement, and maintain EHS policies, procedures, and programs to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as industry standards.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of facilities, processes, and equipment to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Provide guidance and support to management and employees on EHS issues including training, hazard communication, emergency response, and accident prevention.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and other stakeholders on EHS matters including permitting, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Stay current on emerging EHS trends, regulations, and best practices to continuously improve program effectiveness.

Hazardous Waste Program

• Own and manage ZCS's hazardous waste program end-to-end, including waste characterization, labeling, accumulation area management, and manifesting.
• Schedule and coordinate hazardous waste pickups with licensed disposal vendors; maintain vendor relationships and service agreements.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready hazardous waste records including manifests, land disposal restriction (LDR) forms, and biennial/annual reports as required by RCRA and state regulations.
• Set up and routinely audit material handling protocols including materials shipping/receiving and hazardous chemical inventory and disposal.
• Train employees on proper hazardous waste handling, segregation, and emergency response for spills or releases.
• Maintain SDS library and chemical inventory.

Process Safety & Documentation

• Lead company Hazard Identification (HAZID), Hazard and Operability (HAZOP), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) activities and author or approve the resulting safety documentation.
• Lead and document Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) for new and modified equipment, ensuring all action items are closed prior to startup.
• Own the full library of EHS and process safety documentation including PHAs, PSSRs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), JHAs, permit-to-work records, and management-of-change (MOC) files.
• Support engineering design reviews (equipment selection, startup/shutdown/upset planning, operability) to ensure EHS considerations are integrated from the outset.
• Review all SOPs for accuracy and safety and confirm they are being implemented as written.
• Review and sign off on non-standard operational procedures (deviations from SOPs) and equipment maintenance; develop and administer the permit-to-work program.

Construction & Contractor Safety

• Ensure all construction and contractor plans meet industry best practices (e.g., lifting, welding, hot work, LOTO).
• Oversee contractor onboarding, safety orientation, and on-site compliance with ZCS safety requirements.

Occupational Health & Industrial Hygiene

• Identify potential health hazards, including exposure to chemicals, heat, noise, ergonomic risks, and other physical hazards.
• Conduct exposure assessments, environmental monitoring, and workplace sampling to determine employee exposure levels.
• Analyze potential health effects associated with workplace hazard exposure and recommend controls to mitigate risks.
• Develop and recommend administrative and engineering controls to minimize or eliminate hazard exposure.
• Assess the need for and effectiveness of PPE and provide guidance on its selection, use, and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations set by OSHA and other regulatory bodies.

Incident Response & Continuous Improvement

• Investigate incidents, accidents, and near misses to determine root causes and develop prevention strategies.
• Develop emergency response plans and procedures for spills, fires, and other workplace emergencies to minimize harm to people and property.
• Develop, monitor, and maintain safe operations programs including leading and lagging performance indicators.
• Oversee and advise on EHS aspects of current technology (air and water emissions, TSCA compliance, SDS authoring, and supporting test work).

• Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, CHMM, or OSHA 30.
• Direct experience with Process Safety Management Systems (PSMS).
• Startup or early-stage company experience.
• Familiarity with carbon capture, direct air capture (DAC), or other clean energy technologies.
• VOC and air emission regulatory experience.

• Standing, bending, and walking in and around an industrial environment.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs; ability to work in confined spaces and at heights may be required.
• Regular fieldwork on experimental and operating equipment; must work safely around energized electrical systems, high-pressure equipment, and hazardous materials.
• Willingness to work flexible hours during commissioning, startup, and incident response as needed.

Zero Carbon Systems is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Your Right to Work
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.