Role Summary

This leadership function balances profitability with environmental stewardship, social responsibility, safe operations, and long-term stakeholder value. It embeds sustainability and safety into core operations; aligns environmental, social, and governance priorities with business strategy; strengthens stakeholder trust; and proactively manages regulatory, operational, reputational, and enterprise risks to support durable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Program Management

• Develop and execute EHS policies, procedures, and training programs aligned with corporate strategy and budget.
• Maintain compliance with TCEQ, EPA, DSHS, OSHA, MSHA, DOT, and other regulatory bodies.
• Conduct routine inspections, audits, and risk assessments to identify hazards and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare and maintain required regulatory documentation, permits, and reports.
• Lead sustainability, environmental compliance, permitting, impact assessment, climate, resource efficiency, biodiversity, and corporate social responsibility programs.

Incident & Risk Management

• Lead incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective action tracking.
• Maintain incident records and drive trend analysis for continuous safety improvement.
• Develop the enterprise risk framework, validate risk identification and mitigation, and report material exposures to executive leadership and the board.

Training & Communication

• Deliver and track EHS training (lockout/tagout, hazard communication, PPE, emergency response, etc.).
• Establish and promote a proactive culture of continuous improvement and zero harm through effective communication, coaching, and employee engagement.
• Manage institutional and community relationships, represent the company in public and regulatory forums, and communicate progress transparently to investors, agencies, communities, and NGOs.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee an integrated management system consistent with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 31000.
• Participate in safety committees, kaizen events, HOP Operational Learning, and EHS improvement projects.
• Lead environmental programs including waste management, recycling, sustainability, and chemical management.
• Align functional plans and budgets with corporate strategy.

Role Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related technical discipline preferred; bachelor's degree required. Relevant experience may substitute.
• Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive senior EHS leadership experience spanning both heavy civil mining (MSHA) and chemical manufacturing/refining environments (OSHA PSM), with a demonstrated track record leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep knowledge of mining, environmental regulation, permitting, sustainability, and risk management. Proven track record executing radioactive material waste licensing, NORM/TENORM management, and radiation safety officer (RSO) level protocols.
• Stakeholder & Systems Expertise: Experience with stakeholder engagement, integrated management systems, and building or auditing certified ISO 14001/45001 systems. Deep operational familiarity with TCEQ frameworks.
• Leadership & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication, analytical, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills, with demonstrated ability to lead and influence across multidisciplinary teams.
• Language Skills: Professional proficiency in English required; bilingual capability (English/Spanish) highly desirable for the regional El Paso workforce landscape.
• Travel: Ability to travel overnight up to 20%.

Physical Demands

The work environment will be a mix of a typical office environment, a manufacturing floor and construction/mining site.   Noise level: Normal office, manufacturing and construction noises. Able to work multiple shifts.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required of personnel so classified. The reporting relationship may not reflect the most recent changes to the corporation.

USA Rare Earth proudly supports Equal Employment Opportunities.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require assistance with the application process due to a disability, please contact people@usare.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.

USA Rare Earth and the Serra Verde Group are building the world's leading rare earth enterprise: a pioneering global advanced materials company that excels at every stage of the value chain, from the earth to the magnet and beyond, deploying that expertise with courage, integrity and an uncompromising commitment to responsible practice. We will be the partner of choice for nations, industries and communities that depend on a secure, sustainable supply of the rare earths and other critical materials and derivative technologies that power the modern world.

The Critical Elements of Progress - Delivered Responsibly - At Global Scale.

The world is being remade. New energy systems are augmenting old ones. New technologies are redefining what is possible in every aspect of our lives. And at the heart of this transformation are the rare earths and other critical elements we produce. We exist to supply these materials. Responsibly. Reliably. At Scale. Across the World.

We command the full value chain — and we configure it with precision to reliably serve the needs of growing global and local markets alike. Our people bring world-class technology and deep operational know-how to every step of that chain, ensuring the materials we deliver are produced at scale to the highest standards of quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility. We take that responsibility seriously. We build supply chains that are secure, transparent, diversified and resilient. We create lasting value for our shareholders, our employees, our communities and the societies in whose success we share.

Our organizational model is based on the principle of clear accountability and the creation of entrepreneurial enclaves which define business units reflecting the natural components of our supply chain. Each Business Unit retains a profit motive and the responsibly to deliver shareholder returns. However, this cannot occur at the expense of overall Group value.

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, chemical engineering, mining engineering, or related field; 7-10 years progressive senior EHS leadership in mining and chemical manufacturing; knowledge of MSHA, OSHA PSM, TCEQ, ISO 14001/45001; professional English proficiency; travel up to 20%.

Key Responsibilities

• developing EHS policies
• conducting inspections
• leading incident investigations

Skills & Tools

ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 31000

Job Details

• Category: Environment, Health, and Safety
• Seniority: Senior Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — Texas, United States
• Languages: English

About USA Rare Earth LLC

A global advanced materials company building a secure, sustainable supply of rare earths and critical materials. — Industry: Mining and Extraction