Safety Director

Position Summary

The Safety Director is responsible for providing leadership and daily oversight of the company’s Safety Department.

The Safety Director is responsible for maintaining daily safety operations, supporting compliance with applicable DOT and FMCSA requirements, leading safety initiatives already in progress, and improving accountability, consistency, and follow-through across the Safety function.

Position Status

The role is intended to provide leadership continuity for the Safety Department while the company evaluates its long-term departmental needs.

Roles & Responsibilities

Department Leadership

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Safety Department.

• Oversee the work of Safety team members and provide guidance, support, and accountability.

• Maintain continuity of Safety operations during the assignment.

• Set clear expectations for communication, documentation, follow-up, and consistency within the department.

• Support the continued execution of department priorities and safety initiatives already in progress.

• Serve as the primary Safety Department leader for internal questions, escalations, and operational safety concerns.

• Promote a safety culture that supports compliance, driver accountability, training, coaching, and risk reduction.

DOT and FMCSA Compliance

• Support company compliance with applicable DOT, FMCSA, and related transportation safety requirements.

• Oversee processes related to driver qualification, Hours of Service, roadside inspections, compliance follow-up, and required safety documentation.

• Monitor compliance trends and work with appropriate leaders to address recurring issues.

• Support audit readiness and assist with DOT or FMCSA reviews, inquiries, or requests as needed.

• Maintain awareness of regulatory requirements affecting company safety operations.

• Support consistent application of company policies and safety procedures.

Accident, Incident, and Investigation Oversight

• Oversee accident and incident reporting processes.

• Support timely and complete accident investigations.

• Review accident and incident trends to identify areas of risk.

• Support preventability review processes and related follow-up actions.

• Coordinate with appropriate internal departments regarding accident documentation, driver status, and corrective action.

• Promote consistency in how safety events are reviewed, documented, and addressed.

• Support efforts to reduce preventable accidents, safety-related claims, equipment damage, and operational risk.

Driver Coaching, Training, and Accountability

• Oversee driver coaching processes related to safety events, compliance concerns, and unsafe driving behaviors.

• Support consistent follow-up on event recorder activity, including Samsara or similar safety technology.

• Work with Safety team members and operational leaders to address driver performance concerns.

• Support safety training initiatives for drivers and internal team members.

• Promote consistent use of coaching, retraining, corrective action, and escalation when safety expectations are not met.

• Support driver accountability while maintaining professional and consistent communication.

Event Recorder and Safety Technology Management

• Oversee the department’s use of event recorder technology and related safety systems.

• Support timely review and coaching of safety events.

• Monitor trends related to unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, distracted driving, following distance, harsh braking, seat belt usage, and other company-identified behaviors.

• Use available system data to identify patterns and recommend corrective action.

• Support consistent application of company expectations related to safety technology and driver coaching.

Load Securement and Operational Safety

• Support company expectations related to load securement and safe driving practices.

• Address load securement concerns, recurring violations, and related training needs through appropriate follow-up, communication, and corrective action. 

• Promote consistent handling of load securement incidents and corrective actions.

• Support safety initiatives intended to reduce preventable accidents, cargo claims, equipment damage, and roadside violations.

• Assist with identifying training gaps related to load securement and operational safety practices.

Hours of Service and Compliance Management

• Oversee processes related to Hours of Service compliance.

• Support timely review and follow-up of HOS violations or trends.

• Work with appropriate leaders to address recurring driver or operational patterns that may create compliance risk.

• Support consistent communication of HOS expectations to drivers and managers.

• Promote accurate documentation and follow-through related to HOS concerns.

Safety Performance Monitoring

• Monitor safety performance indicators, including CSA-related trends, roadside violations, accidents, inspection results, HOS concerns, and driver coaching activity.

• Use safety data to identify areas of risk and recommend action.

• Provide updates to leadership regarding significant safety trends, compliance concerns, and department priorities.

• Support efforts to reduce preventable accidents, improve compliance, and strengthen the company’s safety performance.

• Assist with identifying recurring trends by driver, terminal, location, equipment type, behavior, or operational pattern.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Human Resources, Maintenance, and other departments as needed to support safety operations and compliance.

• Communicate safety concerns clearly and professionally to appropriate leaders.

• Help align Safety expectations with operational practices while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

• Support consistent follow-up on safety-related concerns involving drivers, managers, terminals, and equipment.

• Serve as a resource to internal leaders regarding safety procedures, compliance expectations, and driver safety concerns.

Reporting and Communication

• Provide regular updates to the executive leadership team member overseeing the Safety Department.

• Communicate significant safety issues, compliance concerns, accident trends, and department needs in a timely manner.

• Prepare or support reports related to safety performance, driver coaching, accident trends, inspections, and compliance activity.

• Maintain clear documentation of safety decisions, follow-up actions, and department priorities.

• Escalate high-risk safety or compliance concerns appropriately.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of DOT and FMCSA requirements applicable to motor carrier operations.

• Understanding of Hours of Service, CSA, roadside inspections, accident reporting, and driver safety expectations.

• Ability to lead a department during a temporary leadership transition.

• Ability to provide direction, accountability, and support to Safety team members.

• Strong judgment when reviewing safety incidents, driver concerns, and compliance matters.

• Ability to work effectively with other internal departments.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain safety concerns clearly and professionally.

• Ability to use safety data to identify trends, recommend action, and support decision-making.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee, driver, accident, and compliance information appropriately.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation, follow-up, and consistency.

• Ability to balance operational needs with safety standards and compliance expectations.

Education & Experience

• Prior experience in transportation safety, fleet safety, DOT compliance, or a related safety leadership role required.

• Experience in the trucking industry strongly preferred.

• Experience leading or directing the work of others is preferred.

• Knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations required.

• Experience with safety technology, event recorder systems, driver coaching systems, or similar platforms preferred.

• Experience with accident investigation, compliance monitoring, driver coaching, and safety training preferred.

Scope of Responsibility

The Safety Director is responsible for maintaining daily safety operations, supporting regulatory compliance, leading active safety initiatives, and improving accountability and consistency within the department.

This role has authority to direct the daily work of the Safety Department, escalate safety and compliance concerns, make recommendations related to driver safety issues, and represent the Safety Department in internal leadership discussions.