Lead Safety and Environmental Compliance Specialist

Job Description

A-E Services for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area; Bien Hoa, Vietnam

Background and Objectives

Trigon is serving as the prime on this $33M contract to provide A-E and related technical services to USAID to develop and facilitate approval by the Government of Vietnam (GVN) of a Project Implementation Masterplan and to provide engineering design, construction management implementation support and related project support services for dioxin remediation at the Bien Hoa Airbase Area - the largest remaining hotspot of dioxin contamination in Vietnam. The United States Government (USG) and the GVN have established a strong working relationship to overcome the legacies of the US-Vietnam war. One such remnant of the war is dioxin (defoliant “Agent Orange”) contamination in soils and sediments in and around areas where this chemical was handled or stored. Studies conducted cited the Bien Hoa Airbase area as one of three major dioxin contamination hotspots in Vietnam, along with Phu Cat and Da Nang Airbases. The assignment is anticipated to run through June 2023.

Because of the numerous activities and portfolio of projects which fall under the umbrella of this task order, Trigon is implementing the task order utilizing a program management approach. The activities and implementation comprise all project life cycles, ie, investigations, studies, planning, design, procurement, construction, etc. Overarching management activities include project controls (cost, schedule and reporting), QA/construction management oversight of construction contractors for numerous remedial measures projects, a robust communications and outreach plan for all stakeholders, including the GVN, Ministry of National Defence (MND), Air Defence-Air Force Command (ADAFC), other governmental ministries, research and educational organizations, local residents and the general public.

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Lead Safety and Environmental Compliance Specialist (LSECS) will serve as the local technical expert in site safety and monitoring in conformance with approved safety and environmental compliance, Project documents and objectives.

S/he will work closely with USAID in developing and implementing this component of the Project. S/he will serve as an expert on occupational safety, construction safety, site safety, environmental monitoring and compliance for toxic substances/hazardous waste remediation matters. S/he will provide expert counsel and advice on hazard assessments, environmental remediation impacts, and cleanup standards.

Anticipated roles include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for overall site safety and environmental compliance of Project activities.

• Responsible for development of and use of standard operating procedures (SOPs), inspection checklists, and other appropriate compliance and documentation tools.

• Train Project staff on procedures, safety measures, and best practices to ensure environmental compliance and protection.
• Ensure all safety and environmental health deliverables and reports are technically sound and appropriate for the needs and hazards to be addressed.
• Ensure development of Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs), Health and Safety Plans (HASPs), Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs), Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Reports (EMMRs) and other related reports for Project activities.
• Conduct environmental monitoring in support of EMMP implementation and to assess environmental compliance by other USAID contractors.
• Coordinate environmental compliance and monitoring activities for the Project and prepare/submit reporting to USAID and other external stakeholders.
• Conduct internal audits of Project activities to identify operational, environmental, and occupational conditions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of related experience. An advanced degree in one of the identified fields can substitute for related experience as follows: one (1) year for a masters or two (2) years for a doctorate.
• A minimum of five (5) years site safety and environmental site monitoring experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, geology, chemistry, or closely related field.
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.

• Professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Vietnamese is preferred, but not required.
• Health or safety certification for the United States or Vietnam.
• Proven experience developing, implementing, and training others on environmental and occupational safety compliance programs.
• Proven experience analyzing environmental data, performing safety inspection, and conducting incident investigations.
• Proven leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills, with the ability to build and motivate diverse teams.
• Demonstrated experience interacting with clients and regulators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with others from diverse backgrounds, including the ability to communicate technical information to stakeholders.
• Advanced computer literacy skills within a Microsoft Office environment, including experience with SharePoint.
• Ability to take responsibility for assignments, work collaboratively and independently, meet deadlines and effectively manage multiple, competing priorities.
• Ability to respond to requests on short notice and simultaneously plan and execute several activities.
• Ability to quickly understand regional/country context and local sensitivities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Vietnamese.
• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Professional registration as an engineer or geologist in the United States.
• The minimum five (5) years of site safety and environmental site monitoring experience will have occurred with toxic substances/hazardous waste remediation projects.
• Experience with USAID or other international development projects
• Experience in Vietnam and/or countries other than the United States.

Working Environment: Required to be in-country to perform the duties of this position at the Project location – Bien Hoa, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.

Physical Requirements: This position is expected to be in the field daily, outside in a tropical environment. This will include regularly wearing Level C personal protective equipment to conduct assessments and inspections. Ability to walk across uneven terrain and lift 25 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has supervisory responsibilities over local staff.

Travel: International travel required. Travel is essential and will include travel to areas in Vietnam for meetings, site visits, etc., including to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and other locations. An estimated 10% to 20% in-country travel is anticipated for Project implementation.

About the Organization

Trigon provides professional full-service engineering, consulting and management services to both public and private sector clients. Trigon’s services include: planning; engineering; design; project, program, and construction management and oversight; environmental remediation; disaster recovery and emergency management; risk management training; and capacity building.

Trigon’s principals and staff have significant experience providing A&E services and management of projects related to infrastructure and facilities of all types. We have managed large public works capital improvement programs ranging from approximately $400M to over $3B in the US and OCONUS.

Trigon has earned a stellar reputation with clients for providing high-quality service due to our strict adherence to the company’s guiding principles of Quality, Commitment and Client Service. This is demonstrated by the high rate of repeat business with clients and partner firms.

Trigon provides a broad set of engineering, design, bid, construction phase, and program management services focusing on public infrastructure. Our services span the range of the project lifecycle, from initial concept/assessment to preliminary design and final/detailed design, through the tendering phase and into the construction phase for a variety of projects.

Trigon is certified as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB). For more information, visit https://www.trigonassociates.com.