Environmental Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

TheSite Safety & Environmental Specialistis responsible forimplementing, monitoring, and continuously improving site-level health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs across active construction and operational locations. This role serves as the primary on-site HSE representative, providing hands-on support to project teams, subcontractors, and supervisors to ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and company standards. The position emphasizes hazard identification, field presence, incident prevention, and environmental stewardship to support safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

Whatyoulldo

Provide site safety oversight and hazard control

• Conduct routine site safety inspections, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and risk assessments toidentifyunsafe conditions and behaviors.

• Monitor compliance with OSHA construction standards (29 CFR 1926), company policies, and site-specific safety plans.

• Support supervisors and crews in implementing effective hazard controls including fall protection, electrical safety, equipment operation, excavation/trenching, confined space, and hot work.

• Participate in daily huddles, toolbox talks, pre-task planning, and project kickoff meetings.

Provide environmental compliance and stewardship

• Support compliance with applicable environmental regulations, permits, and plans including SWPPP, spill prevention, waste management, and stormwater controls.

• Perform environmental inspections, document findings, and track corrective actions to closure.

• Assistwith spill response, reporting, and promotion of environmentally responsible work practices.

Support training, orientation, and workforce engagement

• Deliver site safety orientations and environmental awareness training for employees, temporary workers, and subcontractors.

• Support competency verification, training documentation, and onboarding requirements.

• Reinforce a positive safety culture through coaching, observation programs, and proactive engagement with the workforce.

• Assistin developing and distributing safety alerts, lessons learned, and HSE communications.

Support incident reporting, investigation, and prevention

• Lead or support investigations of safety incidents, first aid cases, and near misses.

• Identifyroot causes and coordinate corrective action implementation andfollowup.

• Participate in emergency response planning and immediate hazard mitigation.

Provide documentation, reporting, and administrative support

• MaintainaccurateHSE records, inspection reports, permits, and training documentation.

• Support regulatory inspections and internal audits.

• Provide reporting to project leadership on site conditions, incidents, and corrective actions.

Whatyoullneed for success

Associates degree in Safety, Environmental Science, Construction Management, or a related fieldrequired;Bachelorsdegree preferred

Minimum of35 years of experience in construction safety, site safety, or environmental compliance

Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and applicable environmental regulations

Strong understanding of construction safety and environmental compliance requirements

Ability to recognize hazards, assess risk, and recommend practical controls

Effective communication and coaching skills for field-based environments

Working knowledge of incident investigation and corrective action tracking

Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and digital inspection/reporting tools

Ability to work independently with strong organizational and documentation skills

Knowledge of EHS Management Systems (ISO 45001, ISO 14001 preferred)

Certifications(Preferred)

• OSHA 30Hour Constructionrequired

• Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST) or equivalent (preferred)

• First Aid / CPR / AED (required or ability to obtain)

• Environmental compliance or stormwater certification (preferred)

Physical & Environmental Requirements

The Safety & Environmental Engineer must be able to safely perform work in industrial, manufacturing, and construction environments. This includes standing and walking for extended periods while conducting site inspections across warehouses, production areas, outdoor environments, and active construction sites.

The role requires climbing stairs and ladders, working at heights, entering confined spaces, and navigating uneven terrain such as scaffolding access points, compacted soil, and active work areas with moving equipment or materials.

The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull 2540 pounds occasionally, including safety equipment, monitoring devices, and documentation materials. Visual and auditory acuity are required to identify hazards, observe equipment, review technical documentation, and communicate in high-noise environments.

The role requires wearing appropriate PPE including hard hats, respirators, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, fall protection, and hearing protection. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, heat, cold, dust, fumes, and chemicals may occur. The position may also require rapid response during emergency situations or incident investigations across multiple project locations.

Continental Energy Solutions (CES) offers end-to-end commercial renewable energy solutions. We design, engineer, procure, install, commission, monitor, and maintain solar arrays, solar plus battery storage, and full microgrid solutions. Our experienced team, including NABCEP Certified Professionals, plus our extensive project portfolio of both rooftop and ground mount systems for big-box retail, warehouse, and campus solutions have put CES at the top of our industry in the Midwest.

Working for Continental Energy Solutions provides:

• Assistance, tools, and resources for success
• A collaborative, engaging and respectful workplace
• Fulfilling career opportunities and skills development

• A values-based working environment:

E: Everyone United

N: Nurture Communication

E: Enforce Accountability

R: Relationships Matter

G: Growth and Development

Y: You Make the Difference

Continental Energy Solutions offers a competitive salary that may vary based on the scope and responsibilities of the role and the candidates relevant experience, education, and skills. We also offer a rich benefits program that includes medical insurance with a generous company subsidy and HRA; dental and vision; 401(k) with 100% match up to 5% of salary deferrals; profit sharing; retirement benefit; company-provided life and disability insurance; liberal paid time off including PTO, paid holidays, parental leave and volunteer time off; tuition assistance; Employee Assistance Program and company subsidized wellness .

Continental Energy Solutions is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, arrest or conviction record, source of income or credit history.