Director of Safety

Brewster Companies Inc. is a family-owned and operated company specializing in heavy civil and transportation construction. We are seeking a Construction Safety Director to join our leadership team and drive our overall safety strategy.

About the Role

The Construction Safety Director is a key member of the leadership team responsible for shaping and driving Brewster Companies' overall safety strategy. This role partners closely with ownership, human resources, and on-site superintendents to develop, implement, and sustain a culture of safety across all operations. The Safety Director provides leadership, guidance, and accountability for safety practices, ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, and serves as a trusted advisor to management on risk reduction and employee well-being.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Partner directly with ownership to establish company-wide safety goals, strategies, and policies aligned with Brewster's values and long-term growth.
  • Work closely with project managers and superintendents to ensure safe jobsite practices, proactively addressing risks before they become incidents.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources to align safety training, onboarding, workers' compensation, and return-to-work processes with company policies and compliance requirements.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and superintendents, coaching them on leadership responsibilities in safety management.
  • Spearhead Safety Review Board meetings, ensuring lessons learned are communicated and corrective actions are implemented consistently across projects.
• Program Development & Oversight
  • Create, update, and enforce comprehensive company safety policies and procedures.
  • Develop, deliver, and track company-wide safety training programs, including OSHA courses, specialized construction certifications, and Competent Person training.
  • Establish safety performance metrics and reporting standards; provide regular updates to ownership on progress, trends, and areas for improvement.
  • Oversee subcontractor safety compliance to ensure alignment with company expectations.
  • Maintain and leverage safety management software, using analytics to identify trends, track incidents, and measure effectiveness of safety programs.
• Risk Management & Compliance
  • Lead all accident and incident investigations, producing detailed reports, root cause analyses, and corrective action recommendations.
  • Implement incident follow-up training to prevent recurrence of similar events.
  • Maintain OSHA logs (300/300A) and ensure accurate documentation and timely postings.
  • Partner with Midwest Occupational Medicine and HR to manage workplace injuries, recordables, lost-time cases, and workers' compensation claims.
  • Conduct proactive field and fleet inspections, identifying hazards and recommending corrective measures.
  • Stay current on federal, state, and local safety laws, rules, and regulations, ensuring company compliance at all times.
• Culture & Engagement
  • Champion a culture of safety where every employee understands their personal responsibility in maintaining safe practices.
  • Build strong, positive relationships with field employees to promote accountability and encourage open reporting of safety concerns.
  • Recognize and reinforce safe behaviors across the workforce to keep safety top-of-mind on all projects.
  • Actively participate in industry safety networking events and represent Brewster in external safety forums, strengthening relationships and keeping current with best practices.
  • Support injury mitigation and early intervention strategies, ensuring prompt care and reducing the likelihood of lost-time cases.

Requirements

• BCSP certifications, or willingness to pursue certification.
• OSHA 30-hour Construction Outreach card (required).
• Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer (ability to issue 10/30-hour cards preferred).
• National Safety Council authorization to conduct PIT (Powered Industrial Truck) training (preferred).
• Strong background in construction safety with working knowledge of OSHA standards and safe work practices.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification (required).
• Experience conducting incident investigations and safety audits.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate safety records and reports.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic Leader: Aligns safety initiatives with company goals and long-term success.
• Collaborative: Builds trust and works effectively with ownership, HR, and field leadership.
• Decisive & Confident: Provides clear direction and guidance to ensure compliance and accountability.
• Proactive: Anticipates risks and develops preventive strategies before issues arise.
• Approachable & Positive: Engages employees at every level, encouraging open communication about safety.
• Detail-Oriented: Ensures accuracy in reporting, training, and compliance.
• Integrity-Driven: Holds self and others accountable to the highest safety standards.

Benefits

• Company-paid medical insurance for full-time employees.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance available after one month.
• 401(k) with competitive company match.
• Paid holidays available upon hire.
• Paid vacation accruals upon hire.
• Strong family culture – family-owned business.
• Growth opportunities – promotions from within.