Job Description
Operational Shift Team Lead - Emergency Response, Safety & Security (Fire / Rescue)
Leads daily emergency response, safety, and security operations across the site, including fire protection, hazardous materials coordination, loss prevention, project support, and related services. Conducts audits and surveys to identify risks and evaluate controls. Enforces site requirements for property security, access, traffic, parking, and employee conduct. This role requires shift work, including weekends and public holidays.
Primary Responsibilities
Operations
- Oversee shift operations to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and in compliance with site procedures.
- Conduct thorough shift turnovers to brief incoming teams on ongoing issues and special instructions.
- Maintain operating logs and records to document equipment and system performance.
- Ensure good housekeeping in all areas of responsibility.
Emergency Response
- Serve as the on‑shift point of contact for safety, emergency, and security incidents.
- Conduct initial assessments and investigations for smoke, odor, chemical/biological spills, fire/smoke conditions, alarm notifications, and other abnormal situations; initiate appropriate response actions.
- Respond to emergency calls involving hazardous materials and assess the situation upon arrival.
- Perform fire suppression duties in industrial environments, using specialized equipment and techniques as required.
- Contain, clean up, and facilitate disposal of hazardous materials according to regulations and standard operating procedures.
- Operate specialized equipment, such as protective suits, respirators, and testing instruments.
- Act as Incident Commander for plant emergencies, maintain compliance with OSHA and NFPA requirements.
- Coordinate with outside agencies responding to site emergencies; support site medical emergency response when required.
- Perform elevator and confined space rescue as required.
Fire Protection & Equipment
- Perform routine fire inspections, fire system shutdowns, and fire panel resets.
- Inspect buildings for fire hazards and confirm the presence of proper fire protection and emergency equipment.
- Conduct scheduled inspections and testing of fire pumps, fire extinguishers, hoses, and related equipment; record and report test results.
- Perform maintenance on firefighting and fire protection equipment (e.g., rotating and inspecting extinguishers); report and correct minor defects.
- Ensure fire trucks, powered equipment, and firefighter gear are tested and maintained per departmental guidelines.
- Support fire protection tests and exercises (e.g., use of fire water, equipment displays, ventilation, washdowns).
Security
- Act as a security contact and guide; respond to and assist with potential security incidents on site.
- Operate and maintain plant security systems and programs.
- Troubleshoot site badging and access systems and respond appropriately to alarm conditions.
- Coordinate security response and collaborate with security personnel and external responders.
Training & Team Development
- Direct, conduct, and coordinate training for department personnel, Emergency Response Team members, volunteers, and employees.
- Deliver specialized training per the master training schedule or as instructed (e.g., fire extinguisher use, emergency procedures).
- Participate in drills and exercises to maintain proficiency in response procedures.
- Pursue ongoing education to stay current on regulations, safety procedures, and equipment.
Reporting & Collaboration
- Notify pertinent personnel promptly during incidents and take immediate action to protect personnel, facilities, records, and materials.
- Consult with and advise departments to provide engineering input and ensure projects and plans conform with environmental and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Required Education & Certifications
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Firefighter I, II, or III certification.
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification.
Required Experience & Skills
- Minimum 7 years’ experience as a professional or volunteer firefighter, preferably in an officer role.
- Physically capable of performing all job tasks.
- Confined Space Rescue training.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) and web-based programs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work across multiple assignments with contract and site personnel at all management levels.
- Ability to operate effectively under high-stress conditions and work indoors and outdoors in varied weather.
Preferred Experience & Certifications
- Hazmat Technician certification.
- NFPA 25 certification (Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems).
- OSHA General Industry and/or Construction training.
- High Angle Rescue and advanced Confined Space Rescue training.
- Experience with industrial utility systems (air, steam, high voltage).
- VA Emergency Vehicle Operator Certification (EVOC) or equivalent.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Certified Protection Officer (IFPO), Certified Protection Professional (ASIS), Certified Security Supervisor (IFPO)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 300, and 700
- Experience in Work Place Violence/ Active Assaillant Response
- Experience interacting with local, state, and federal agencies
- Experience managing contracted professionals and vendors
- Crisis management experience, including Incident Command or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) leadership
Compliance & Special Requirements
- Able to work under cGMP guidelines.
- Availability to provide off‑shift mitigation and support during chemical cleanups.
- Ability to work 12‑hour rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends; overtime as required.
#MSJR
VETJOBS
Required Skills:
Chemical Cleaning, Crisis Management, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Response, Field Force Management, Fire Engines, Fire Extinguishing, Firefighting, Fire Inspections, Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Suppression Systems, First Aid, NFPA Codes, Security Access Control Systems, Security Operations
Preferred Skills:
Emergency Medical Response, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Emergency Procedures, Emergency Response Operations, Fire Protection, Medical Emergencies, National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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:
EEOC Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)
EEOC GINA Supplement
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.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
The primary location for this posting is:
USA - Virginia - Elkton
Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.
The salary range for the primary location of this role is:
$59,100.00 - $93,000.00
This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .
Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.
Additional location(s) Compensation Information:
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, 2nd - Evening, 3rd - Night
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
Hazardous Material(s) (Add n/a if this does not apply to the role) Chemical Cleanup spills
Job Posting End Date:
11/12/2026
***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.
Requisition ID: R424344
