Safety Director at Gulf Management – Covington, Louisiana

JOB SUMMARY:
The Safety Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading all safety and health programs for roadway construction operation activities. This role ensures compliance with OSHA, DOT, FHWA, state, and local safety regulations while driving a proactive safety culture across field crews, supervisors, and management.
The Safety Director serves as a strategic leader and subject‑matter expert, overseeing hazard identification, training, incident investigation, and continuous safety improvement in high‑risk roadway environments involving live traffic, night work, mobile operations, and heavy equipment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company’s safety management system for roadway construction operations.
• Establish safety policies, procedures, and field standards.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align safety goals with operational and business objectives.
• Lead safety planning for new projects, expansions, and operational changes.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, DOT/FHWA, MUTCD, state DOT, and local safety regulations.
• Maintain oversight of work zone traffic control plans, night work and mobile operation requirements, equipment and fleet safety standards.
• Serve as the primary contact for regulatory agencies, inspections, audits, and investigations.
• Track regulatory changes affecting roadway construction safety and implement updates companywide.

• Work closely with hiring managers and various departments to ensure new hires have the necessary resources and support.
• Oversee job hazard analyses (JHAs) and task hazard analyses (THAs) for roadway operations.
• Identify and mitigate hazards related to live traffic exposure, moving work zones and striping convoys, TMA deployment and backing procedures, electrical hazards and underground utilities.
• Conduct and review field safety audits, inspections, and observations.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented, tracked, and verified.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive safety training programs for employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Ensure training for work zone safety and traffic control, TMA operation and spotting procedures, electrical safety and NFPA/OSHA requirements, PPE use, heat stress, and night work safety, incident reporting and near‑miss recognition.
• Oversee onboarding safety orientation for all new hires.
• Support supervisor and foreman development in safety leadership and accountability.
• Direct investigations of incidents, near misses, injuries, and property damage.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventative measures.
• Analyze safety performance data and trends (TRIR, DART, near misses).
• Prepare safety reports and metrics for executive leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce risk and injury frequency.
• Lead and mentor field safety personnel.
• Participate in hiring, performance management, and development of safety staff.
• Work closely with operations, project management, fleet, and HR teams to embed safety into daily decision‑making.
• Promote a strong safety culture that values employee involvement, accountability, and empowerment.
• Any other duties assigned as needed.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Strategic safety leadership and program development
• Strong communication skills across field crews and executive teams
• Incident investigation and analytical problem‑solving
• Training development and adult learning facilitation
• Ability to influence, coach, and hold leaders accountable
• High attention to detail in high‑risk, fast‑moving environments
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including nights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive safety experience, with significant experience in roadway or heavy highway construction.
• Safety certifications such as CSP, ASP, CHST, or equivalent.
• Experience working directly with DOT projects and audits.
• Background in multi‑state or large‑scale roadway operations.
• Proven leadership experience managing safety professionals or large safety programs.
• Extensive knowledge of work zone traffic control, mobile roadway operations, highway striping and TMA practices and electrical safety within roadway environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, DOT, FHWA, and state DOT regulations.