EHS Director

Brief Description

General Position Summary: The EHS Director is passionate about safety and is responsible for leading, implementing, and managing the Company’s safety program, which empowers every team member and business partner to have a safe operations mindset. This individual will serve as a recognized safety expert and leader to provide technical assistance and safety support throughout the organization. The Head of Safety partners with executive leadership to reduce risk, improve operational performance, protect the company's reputation, and ensure every employee and trade partner returns home safely each day.

Essential Duties Include

Safety Leadership & Strategy:

• Leads the development of, believes in and clearly articulates R&H’s safety vision, objectives, strategies, policies, and procedures in order to continuously improve the company’s safety culture.
• Build relationships with Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen and Field employees to establish trust and open lines of communication.
• Be a vocal safety leader, frequently praising safe behavior and immediately coaching and correcting unsafe behaviors.
• Promote continuous improvement through data analysis and employee engagement.
• Plan, staff and supervise all department activities including personnel administration, performance reviews, professional development, defining job functions, responsibilities, etc.
• Serve as the company’s subject matter expert on construction safety and risk management with owners, developers, subcontractors, OR-OSHA, and insurance carriers.
• Participate as a member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic guidance on safety and operational risk.
• Member of the R&H Safety Committee. Partners with the Safety Committee Chair to ensure the Safety Committee members are engaged in R&H’s Safety Program.
  
  

Field Operations Support

• Conduct regular project site audits and inspections across all active projects.
• Provide coaching and support to Project Managers, Superintendents and field personnel.
• Assist project teams with preconstruction safety planning and site logistics.
• Review site specific safety plans, high-risk work plants, subcontractor orientations, etc.
• Support project startup meetings, subcontractor readiness reviews and ongoing safety coordination.
  
  

Subcontractor Safety Management

• Manage subcontractor safety prequalification processes, including review of safety programs, EMR, OSHA records, insurance, and compliance documentation.
• Monitor subcontractor compliance throughout project execution.
  
  

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure R&H Safety Policies and programs meet or exceed Federal / State OSHA requirements.
• Maintain company safety policies, procedures, manuals, and standard operating practices.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary program updates.
• Manage recordkeeping requirements including OSHA 300 logs, incident reporting and compliance documentation.
  
  

Incident Management

• Lead investigations for incidents, injuries, property damage, and near misses.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Track safety trends and recommend improvements,
• Prepare executive reports and communicate findings to leadership.
  
  

Training and Development

• Develop and deliver safety orientation and ongoing technical safety trainings.
• Ensure employees receive required certifications and regulatory training.
• Ensure training records are maintained and updated.
• Mentor project leadership on effective safety management.
• Promote leadership engagement through toolbox talks, safety meetings, and field coaching.
  
  

Risk Management

• Collaborate with insurance carriers and brokers on loss prevention initiatives.
• Support workers’ compensation case management and return-to-work programs.
• Participate in insurance audits and claims reviews.
• Identify emerging risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
  
  

Program Administration

• Creates and manages the safety department’s budget.
• Drive continuous improvement of R&H’s safety technology platforms and reporting systems to support project teams, streamline processes, and strengthen the EHS program.
• Maintain safety records and analytics dashboards.
• Provide corporate safety presentations and/or documentation.
• Responsible for corporate safety presentations or documentation associated with project proposals.
• Oversee safety equipment procurement and program administration.
• Ensures current copies of relevant Codes and Standards are accessible to R&H employees and assistance in interpretation is available.
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications/Skills:

• Maintains current knowledge and understanding of Federal / State OSHA standards including fall protection, excavation and trenching, crane and rigging operations, concrete operations, steel erection, electrical safety, confined spaces, demolition, etc.
• Ability to influence leaders at all organizational levels.
• Excellent knowledge of commercial construction.
• Excellent supervisory skills, including planning and assigning work to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and annual evaluations; determining subordinates’ training needs and arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and initiating action when warranted.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Mental ability to conduct on-going interpersonal interactions, analyze and solve problems.
• Skill in analyzing general, statistical, and technical reports.
• Strong technical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Safety management software, Data reporting and dashboard development
• Ability to participate in a team.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.
• Ability to use independent judgement and independent action.
• Driver’s license and clean driving record required.
  
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Safety & Health, Construction Engineering Management or similar discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 10 years of progressive construction safety experience.
• 5 years leading safety programs.
• Experience supporting multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience conducting incident investigations.
• Professional certification (CSP, CHST or CIH) preferred.
• OSHA 500 Trainer preferred
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

This role is responsible for managing Safety Department staff and consultants. This responsibility includes employee evaluations, recommendations and/or approval regarding hiring, terminations, pay changes or job changes, approving any absences, and providing guidance in work direction.

Physical Activities

Key: Rarely (0-20%), Occasionally (21-50%), Frequently (51-80%), and Continuously (81 %)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to:

• Frequent travel to project sites.
• Ability to walk active construction sites.
• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, stairs and navigate uneven terrain.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
  
  

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Additionally, there is frequent sitting/standing at a desk.

Work Environment

Work is conducted at assigned construction job site(s). This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. The workweek is Monday-Friday but may require weekend hours if needed. This position requires work outdoors in all types of weather. It requires walking, standing, bending, and stooping for extended periods, at times in confined spaces. Frequently work occurs on ladders, scaffolds, and other above ground locations. Employees may be exposed to dust, fumes, noise, and unpleasant variation in temperature. Work may require lifting and carrying heavy objects. May be exposed to chemicals, caustic compounds, and loud noises.