17 EHS Director Interview Questions and Answers

Environmental health and safety directors are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure that a company is in compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. They also work to ensure the safety of employees, customers, and the general public.

If you’re applying for an EHS director job, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge. The interviewer will also want to know how you would handle specific situations that may arise in the workplace.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample EHS director interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the EPA’s hierarchy of controls?

The EPA’s hierarchy of controls is a list of the most effective ways to control environmental risks. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you can apply your knowledge of the hierarchy in your work as an EHS director. In your answer, explain what each level of the hierarchy means and how it applies to your job.

Example: “The EPA created the hierarchy of controls to help companies understand which methods are best for controlling environmental risks. At the top of the hierarchy are elimination and substitution, which involve removing or replacing hazardous materials with safer ones. Next are isolation and confinement, which include isolating waste from people and limiting its exposure to the environment. Then there are engineering controls, which use technology to reduce risk. Finally, there are administrative controls, which are policies that limit employee actions that could lead to environmental damage. I have used all five levels of the hierarchy at my previous jobs.”

What are some of the most important qualities for an EHS director to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the qualities they’re looking for in an EHS director. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list several of the most important qualities and explain why they are so important.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for an EHS director is a commitment to safety. An EHS director needs to ensure their organization’s employees are safe at all times. Another quality I think is essential is communication skills. As an EHS director, you need to communicate with many different people, including employees, managers and executives. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are crucial because you may encounter challenges or issues while working as an EHS director.”

How would you handle a situation where your team disagrees on how to handle a particular issue?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. Your answer should demonstrate that you can work with a team, listen to their ideas and make decisions based on the input of your colleagues.

Example: “If my team disagreed on how to handle an issue, I would first try to understand why they disagree. If there are valid reasons for both sides, I would consider implementing a compromise or finding another solution that satisfies everyone. However, if one side has better arguments than the other, I would take their advice into consideration and implement it as long as it’s within our company’s policies.”

What is your process for identifying and assessing potential environmental health hazards?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and assess potential risks. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for identifying hazards, researching them and determining their severity.

Example: “I start by reviewing any existing environmental health policies to get an idea of what types of hazards we need to be aware of. Then I conduct research on current regulations and standards for each hazard type. After that, I perform site visits to evaluate our facilities and identify areas where improvements could be made to reduce risk. Finally, I meet with my team to discuss the results of my assessments and determine which hazards are most important to address.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to implement a change that was not popular with your team.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and criticism. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to make unpopular decisions when they’re in the best interest of the company or organization.

Example: “In my previous role as an EHS director, I had to implement a new policy regarding employee cell phone usage during work hours. The policy required all employees to store their phones in lockers while at work so they wouldn’t be distracted by them. While this was a popular change with some employees, others were upset about it because they felt like it limited their freedom.

I explained to those who were unhappy that the policy was implemented for safety reasons. Employees could still use their phones after work if they wanted to, but they would have to store them in the locker during work hours.”

If one of your employees was injured on the job, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership style and how you would handle a challenging situation. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to ensure that the employee received proper care while also ensuring the safety of other employees on the job site.

Example: “If one of my employees was injured on the job, I would first make sure they were receiving medical attention. Then, I would call their family members to let them know what happened and offer support during this difficult time. After making sure the employee’s needs were being met, I would hold a meeting with all of my employees to discuss safety procedures and remind them of the importance of following protocol.”

What would you do if a regulatory agency contacted you about an issue they were having with your environmental health program?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would respond to a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with regulatory agencies.

Example: “If a regulatory agency contacted me about an issue they were having with my environmental health program, I would first ask them what the specific concern was. Then, I would schedule a meeting with all of my staff members to discuss the issue and brainstorm solutions. After that, I would implement the solution that best fit our organization’s needs while also addressing the concerns raised by the regulatory agency.”

How well do you work under pressure?

EHS directors often have to make important decisions quickly. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle pressure well and still make good choices. In your answer, share a time when you had to work under pressure. Explain what steps you took to manage the situation effectively.

Example: “I am used to working under pressure because I’ve been in my current role for five years now. When I first started, we were having issues with our recycling program. We needed to find a new vendor that could provide us with more bins at a lower cost. The company I worked for was also looking to expand their business into other states. This meant finding a way to recycle more materials than before. I managed both of these situations by delegating tasks to my team members. They helped me research vendors and create reports on the expansion.”

Do you have any experience working with hazardous materials?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with handling hazardous materials. If you have no previous experience, you can talk about how you would approach this type of work and what steps you would take to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve never worked in a position that required me to handle hazardous materials, but I am eager to gain more knowledge on how to do so safely. In my current role as an EHS manager, I regularly train employees on how to identify hazardous materials and how to properly dispose of them. I also ensure our company follows all safety regulations when working with these materials.”

When performing an environmental health assessment, what is your process for selecting sites to evaluate?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to understand how you apply your knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations to the job. Use examples from your experience to explain how you select sites for assessment, including any factors that influence your decision-making process.

Example: “When performing an environmental health assessment, I first consider the type of facility or business we’re assessing. For example, if it’s a food processing plant, I’ll look at all areas where food is prepared, stored and served. Next, I’ll assess each area based on its potential hazards, such as chemicals used in production or storage areas. Finally, I’ll determine whether there are any applicable standards or regulations that must be met.”

We want to improve our environmental health program. What areas would you focus on?

This question is an opportunity to show your expertise and how you would apply it to the company. You can use examples from your previous experience or explain what you would do if you were starting a program from scratch.

Example: “I would start by assessing the current state of the environmental health program, including any risks that may be present in the facility. Then I would create a plan for improvement based on those assessments. For example, when I worked at ABC Company, we had several areas where we could improve our EH&S program. We started with a risk assessment, which helped us identify areas where we needed to focus our improvements. After that, we created a training program for employees so they knew how to handle hazardous materials properly.”

Describe your experience with using computer software to create reports and analyze data.

EHS directors need to be able to use computer software to create reports and analyze data. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience with using technology in an office setting. Use examples from previous jobs to describe how you used computer software to complete tasks.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating monthly reports on our facility’s safety performance. To do this, I used a program called SafetyNet that allowed me to track employee training records, accident reports and other important information about our company’s safety procedures. The program also helped me identify areas where we could improve our safety protocols.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other candidates. To answer this question, think of the most important skills and experiences that relate to this position. Explain why these are beneficial for an EHS director.

Example: “I have a background in environmental science, which makes me well-suited for this role. I also have experience working as an EHS director at my current company, so I know what it takes to be successful in this role. In addition, I am committed to ensuring that employees feel safe and comfortable at work. This is especially important when it comes to safety issues. I believe that employee engagement leads to better outcomes overall.”

Which industries have you worked in previously and how did your previous experiences prepare you for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. They want to know if your previous experience is relevant to their company’s industry, so they can decide whether or not you’d be a good fit. When answering this question, make sure to mention any skills that are transferable from your past job to this one.

Example: “I’ve worked in both manufacturing and construction industries before, which has given me valuable insight into different types of environmental hazards. In my last role as an EHS director at a construction site, I learned how to manage safety risks during building projects. This knowledge helped me create a plan to ensure the health and safety of employees on my current project.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of an EHS director’s job?

This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you would approach the role. Your answer should reflect a commitment to safety, compliance and employee well-being.

Example: “I believe that an EHS director’s most important job is to ensure that their organization maintains a safe work environment for its employees. This means ensuring that all necessary precautions are in place to protect workers from potential hazards and providing them with the resources they need to stay healthy on the job. It also means making sure that the company complies with any applicable regulations and standards so it doesn’t put itself at risk of fines or other penalties.”

How often do you perform environmental health assessments?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with performing assessments and how often you do them. You can use this opportunity to highlight any special skills or certifications that allow you to perform environmental health assessments, such as a Certified Environmental Professional certification.

Example: “I perform environmental health assessments at least once per year for each of my clients. I find that doing regular assessments helps me identify potential issues before they become major problems. In addition to these annual assessments, I also perform more in-depth assessments when there are complaints about an issue or if I notice something unusual during one of my scheduled assessments.”

There is a new chemical on the market that could save your company a lot of money, but you’re not sure how it will impact the environment. How do you decide whether or not to implement it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you make decisions that affect the environment. This is an important part of your job as an EHS director, and it’s likely that you will have to make similar decisions in your role. In your answer, explain what factors you would consider when making a decision like this.

Example: “I would first look at whether or not there are any regulations on using the chemical. If so, I would determine if we could use the chemical without violating those regulations. Next, I would evaluate the cost savings compared to other options. Finally, I would assess the environmental impact of the chemical. If it seems like the chemical has little effect on the environment, then I would implement it. However, if it looks like the chemical could be harmful to the environment, then I would probably choose another option.”