Sr. Specialist, Engineering

Job Description

Emergency Services Sr. Specialist:

The Sr. Specialist for Emergency Services, will be responsible for providing guidance, oversight, and management of the Emergency Response and the General Emergency Mobilization System (GEMS) Plan for the Elkton, VA facility. They will work with cross-functional teams to effectively and safely operate and maintain the Emergency Response Team and associated equipment and systems to support all entities at the Elkton site.

The Sr. Specialist is responsible for ensuring site compliance with emergency preparedness (GEMS) and response regulations, as well as ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes.  The position prepares and maintains site compliance with applicable regulations (NFPA, OSHA, EPA, DEP, DHS), permits and our Company's standards and develops procedures and processes to ensure robust programs.  The Sr. Specialist is the site’s GEMS Coordinator, Plant Fire Chief and Emergency Response team leader. 

The essential functions include and, are not limited to, the following: 

• Provide direction and leadership for Emergency Response, and Rescue. 
• Provide direction and leadership for the GEMS Program for the site, as well as linkage to the local Municipality and County. 
• Collaborate with Global Security and external partners to deliver and support all response (fire, and  emergency) needs for the site. 
• Ensure Global Engineering Solutions (GES) and Integrated Facility Management (IFM) Partners meet all contractual obligations, including all Service Level Agreements (SLA's), and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) regarding Fire systems and Emergency Response. 
• Prioritization of Emergency Response projects to align with high-level site strategic plans. 
• Collaborate with customers in Operations, Human Resources, Procurement, and global partner groups. 
• Develop internal best practices to benchmark externally to the standards for the industry. 
• Leverage relationships with key clients/customers/organizational leadership to ensure support of business needs and accomplishments of key objectives. 
• Ensure Emergency Response employees under Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA’s) are managed and trained appropriately to maintain required certifications and health surveillances.
• Maintain ongoing familiarity with existing regulations, keeping abreast of proposed and new regulations to affected management and operating personnel. 
• Management of Emergency Response technicians composed of both Company and Contract specialists (setting objectives, employee development, daily/shift management, schedule, vacations) scheduled on different shifts.
• Responsible for the organization and operation of a complete program for all phases of emergency response (GEMS) for the site (documentation, training, equipment purchase and maintenance).
• Management of the emergency response team with adequate support (EOC, fire, hazmat, rescue, medical) and organize training required by the program.
• Ensure that all documentation is accurate and updated. - Manage company and site insurance audits and the relationship with the service provider.
• Conduct incident investigations, completes required reports, permit applications, and maintains all records.
• Works under limited supervision and independently.
• Maintains training and skill level compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, NFPA 472 and DOT 49 CFR 172.700 for Hazmat; OSHA29 CFR 1910.156, NFPA 1001, and 1002 for Firefighter; OSHA 29 CFR 1926.50 and NFPA 450 for medical responder, and certification in CPR, First Aid and AED through either American Heart or American Red Cross.

Position Qualifications:

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor’s Degree BA/BS/MS preferably in Science or Engineering (Chemical, Safety or Environmental Engineering) or Emergency Response equivalent.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience as a firefighter, EMT, or HAZMAT either in a municipal, industrial or military setting with loss prevention experience.
• Strong knowledge in fire and life safety requirements and codes, security, insurance and emergency response.
• Computer skills using MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.), and operation of other peripheral devices.
• Strong written and verbal communications and people skills
• Previous experience in a supervisory role demonstrating strong management skills
• Ability to think both critically, as well as communicate effectively.
• Technical problem-solving abilities.
• Must demonstrate excellent collaboration skills and enthusiasm for customer service. 
• Business ownership and personal accountability. 
• Build teamwork and partnerships.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Any of the following certifications: Firefighter I, Firefighter NPQ, Hazmat Technician, CPR / First Aid / AED, Confined Space Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Fire Instructor I, II or III, NICET II, Hazmat Technician, National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 300, and 700.
• Experience with external partner management and municipalities, i.e. State Police, Sheriff’s Department, County and Volunteer fire departments and emergency response teams. 
• Experience in dealing with local, state and federal agencies and management of professionals outside of our Company. 
• Ability to handle and prioritize many simultaneous assignments.
• Program management skills with an understanding of strategic vision and significant attention to detail.  
• Crisis Management experience.
• Experience in working with applicable fire and life safety codes (i.e. NFPA) and regulations.
• Knowledge of fire protection and sprinkler systems.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Collective Bargaining, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Crisis Management, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Driving Continuous Improvement, Emergency Management, Emergency Response, First Aid, Global Engineering, Global Sourcing, Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP), Incident Investigations, Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), Mechanical Components, Mechanical Equipment Maintenance, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Process Engineering, Process Safety Management, Program Management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Analysis, Self Motivation {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$106,200.00 - $167,200.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

Yes

Job Posting End Date:

06/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.