Senior Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO)

Job Description

Job Description

Seeking an experienced Senior Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO) to provide full-time, on-site safety leadership for federal construction and Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) projects.

The SSHO will be responsible for independently managing site safety activities, enforcing federal and project-specific safety requirements, overseeing subcontractor compliance, and serving as the primary on-site safety representative. This position requires a strong field presence and the experience necessary to identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and provide safety leadership in active and occupied federal facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the full-time, on-site safety representative for assigned projects.
• Implement and enforce the project Accident Prevention Plan (APP), Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs), OSHA requirements, and EM 385-1-1 standards.
• Conduct daily site safety inspections and ensure identified deficiencies are corrected.
• Review subcontractor safety plans, AHAs, training documentation, and required permits prior to work.
• Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, pre-task planning, and high-risk activity briefings.
• Provide oversight for mechanical, electrical, HVAC, controls, lighting, piping, and energy-efficiency construction activities.
• Manage safety requirements associated with lockout/tagout, energized electrical work, confined spaces, fall protection, hot work, lifting operations, excavation, and utility shutdowns.
• Maintain required safety documentation, permits, inspection records, training records, SDS files, and equipment certifications.
• Coordinate with Project Management, Superintendents, Quality Control personnel, subcontractors, and Government representatives.
• Participate in Government safety inspections, audits, preparatory meetings, and project reviews.
• Lead incident and near-miss investigations and complete required reporting.
• Exercise stop-work authority when unsafe conditions exist.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through visible field leadership, accountability, coaching, and employee engagement.

Required Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive construction safety experience , including responsibility for independently managing site safety programs.
• Previous experience as an SSHO, Site Safety Manager, Safety Superintendent, or comparable field safety professional .
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with EM 385-1-1 and OSHA construction standards .
• Current OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification .
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED Certification .
• Experience developing, reviewing, and implementing APPs and AHAs.
• Experience managing subcontractor safety compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of LOTO, electrical safety, fall protection, confined space, hot work, lifting/rigging, and other high-hazard construction activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, make sound field decisions, and address unsafe conditions immediately.
• Ability to communicate professionally with Government personnel, subcontractors, field crews, and project leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal construction experience, particularly with VA, USACE, DoD, GSA, or other Government agencies .
• Experience working in occupied healthcare or federal facilities.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• CSP, CHST, or similar professional safety certification.
• Fall Protection Competent Person certification.
• Confined Space Competent Person certification.
• Excavation/Trenching Competent Person training.
• HAZWOPER certification, as applicable.
• Experience with HVAC, electrical, controls, central utility plant, or ESPC construction.

Position Requirements

This is a full-time, on-site position requiring daily presence in active construction areas. The SSHO must be able to walk and inspect construction sites for extended periods, climb stairs and ladders, access mechanical rooms, rooftops, interstitial spaces, and utility areas, and wear required PPE.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced field safety professional who can take ownership of the safety program, anticipate risk, effectively manage subcontractor compliance, and work collaboratively with both project leadership and Government representatives.