Safety & Compliance Specialist

About the role

You will be a boots-on-the-ground champion for safe work practices. You’ll work directly with field crews, foremen, subcontractors, and leadership to ensure safe, compliant operations across excavation, installation, maintenance, and restoration activities. This role requires regular travel to active pipeline job sites and calls for strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive mindset that helps crews work safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with company policies, OSHA, DOT (PHMSA), and state utility regulatory requirements.
• Identify and address job-site hazards such as line-strike exposure, confined spaces, hot work, pressure testing, energized utilities, and heavy equipment interactions.
• Lead daily job briefs, tailgate meetings, and toolbox talks tailored to pipeline operations.
• Conduct routine safety inspections, JSAs, equipment checks, and behavioral observations.
• Support emergency and incident response, including excavation damage investigations, near-miss reviews, pressure-event response, and root cause analysis.
• Maintain accurate documentation of pipeline safety activities.
• Stay informed on changes in OSHA, DOT/PHMSA regulations, and state public utility requirements.
• Aid in managing DOT compliance requirements, including driver qualification files, vehicle inspections, CDL standards, and hours-of-service documentation.
• Support the implementation of the DOT-mandated Drug & Alcohol Testing Program for covered employees performing safety-sensitive pipeline functions.
• Coordinate drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion).
• Ensure timely submission and record retention of all required DOT and PHMSA compliance documentation.
• Lead onsite safety meetings and communicate pipeline safety expectations to crews and subcontractors.
• Partner with field leadership to identify trends, reduce job-site risks, and develop practical safety improvements.
• Ensure subcontractors follow all company safety policies, operator qualification (OQ) requirements, and pipeline safety standards.
• Perform additional safety-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in occupational safety, environmental health, construction management, or a related field is preferred.
• We strongly prefer candidates with 3 to 6 years of experience in pipeline construction, natural gas distribution, utility work, or energy sector safety.
• The candidate should demonstrate a willingness to pursue additional professional development and industry-specific certifications.
• Strong understanding of OSHA construction regulations, DOT/PHMSA requirements, pipeline safety standards, and general excavation/utility safety fundamentals.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interact confidently with crews, foremen, subcontractors, and leadership.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing travel, training, site visits, and regulatory documentation.
• Ability to identify hazards, recommend corrective actions, and support safe work planning.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedule based on project timelines and field needs.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• OSHA 10 required; OSHA 30 preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Additional relevant credentials such as OQ certifications (NCCER, Veriforce, MEA), HAZWOPER, or Safety Trainer certifications are a plus.

Qualifications

• Pass a background check.
• Pass a drug test.

Skills

• Strong understanding of OSHA construction regulations, DOT/PHMSA requirements, pipeline safety standards, and general excavation/utility safety fundamentals.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interact confidently with crews, foremen, subcontractors, and leadership.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing travel, training, site visits, and regulatory documentation.
• Ability to identify hazards, recommend corrective actions, and support safe work planning.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedule based on project timelines and field needs.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• OSHA 10 required; OSHA 30 preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Additional relevant credentials such as OQ certifications (NCCER, Veriforce, MEA), HAZWOPER, or Safety Trainer certifications are a plus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Ongoing professional development, safety training, and OQ certification opportunities

Pay

Competitive compensation package.

Schedule

Regular travel to active pipeline job sites is required.