Safety Specialist

JOB PURPOSE / POSITION OVERVIEW

The Safety Specialist serves as the primary Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) representative for assigned construction projects and operational areas. This position partners closely with Operations to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, and promote a proactive safety culture. The Safety Specialist works independently to provide field leadership, coaching, training, and technical safety support while helping achieve the Company's goal of ensuring every employee returns home safely each day.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Department partners with Operations and project teams to protect employees, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote safe and environmentally responsible construction practices. The department supports Building, Heavy Civil, and specialty construction operations through training, field support, compliance programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Safety Leadership

• Serve as the primary safety representative for assigned construction projects and operational areas.
• Build strong working relationships with project managers, superintendents, foremen, craft employees, and trade partners to promote a positive safety culture.
• Conduct routine project site visits to identify hazards, evaluate work practices, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide coaching and real-time feedback to employees and supervisors to improve safe work practices.
• Exercise stop-work authority when conditions present an imminent danger to employees, the public, or the environment.

Incident Investigation & Corrective Action

• Lead investigations involving injuries, near misses, property damage, vehicle accidents, and environmental incidents.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop corrective and preventive action plans.
• Prepare timely and accurate investigation reports and supporting documentation.
• Monitor corrective actions through completion and communicate lessons learned throughout the organization.

Training & Employee Development

• Deliver safety orientations, toolbox talks, and project-specific training.
• Coach supervisors and field leadership on safety expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Reinforce company safety policies through education, mentoring, and positive engagement.
• Identify additional training opportunities based on field observations and incident trends.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate inspection reports, safety metrics, investigation documentation, and compliance records.
• Identify trends and recommend improvements to safety programs, procedures, and training.
• Participate in safety committee meetings and company safety initiatives.
• Support implementation of new EHS programs and continuous improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Decision-Making Authority

• This position exercises independent judgment in evaluating jobsite conditions, identifying hazards, conducting inspections, investigating incidents, recommending corrective actions, and coaching employees regarding safe work practices.
• The Safety Specialist has the authority to stop work involving imminent danger and escalate significant safety concerns to project leadership and Safety Management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (KSA’s, Education, YOE)

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Environmental Science, or related field preferred
• 3-5 years of construction safety experience or equivalent construction operations experience with increasing safety responsibilities.
• Experience supporting commercial building, heavy civil, or specialty construction projects preferred.
• Experience conducting inspections, investigations, and delivery safety training.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and construction safety standards.
• Working knowledge of EPA, DOT, and applicable environmental regulations.
• Ability to identify hazards and develop practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Strong incident investigation and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship building abilities.
• Ability to influence others without direct authority.

• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel required; reporting and data analysis experience preferred)
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple active projects.

CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• OSHA 30 Hour Construction
• CPR/First Aid certification

Preferred

• CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician)
• STSC (Safety Trained Supervisor Construction)
• OSHA 510
• OSHA 500
• Applicable Competent Person certification (Excavation, Fall Protection, Confined Space, etc.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORKING CONDITIONS (environment, noise level, public interactions)

• Primarily field-based with frequent travel to active construction projects.
• Regular walking on uneven terrain, climbing ladders and stairs, and navigating active construction sites.
• Frequent standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, construction equipment, noise, dust, and other jobsite hazards.
• Required use of appropriate PPE while on project sites.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or extended hours may be necessary to support project schedules or incident response.