Safety Manager

Safety Manager / Regional Safety Specialist

This role oversees health and safety for complex construction activities at a large data center in Dulles, VA, including remodeling variable frequency drives (VFDs), underground infrastructure, relocating and installing cooling towers, and interior construction work. The Safety Manager / Regional Safety Specialist ensures that all site operations comply with OSHA, state, client, and site-specific regulations, while fostering a partnership approach to safety across internal teams and subcontractors. This is an exempt position supporting a long-term project currently planned through approximately January 2027, with the potential to transition to future projects thereafter. The position requires a local candidate who can be present on site full time.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, implementation, and ongoing refinement of site-specific safety plans for data center construction projects.
• Work closely with project teams to establish and maintain a safe working environment for all personnel, including internal employees, subcontractors, clients, and the general public in and around project sites.
• Assist and participate in client-sponsored safety meetings and training sessions, providing guidance on safe work practices and the use of personal protective equipment.
• Conduct and document weekly, at minimum, site safety audits at multiple locations to verify safe working conditions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure subcontractors follow all applicable client procedures, OSHA standards, state regulations, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Oversee the proper handling, storage, and control of hazardous materials in accordance with regulatory and client standards.
• Issue and coordinate required safety permits and ensure that all permitting processes are followed correctly.
• Verify that subcontractors are properly using personal protective equipment (PPE) and address deficiencies through coaching and corrective actions.
• Monitor subcontractor compliance with safety documentation, including job hazard analyses (JHAs), permits, training records, and other required safety records.
• Provide training and guidance on safe work practices, hazard recognition, and the correct use of PPE and other safety equipment.
• Collect and record data related to accidents, incidents, and near misses, ensuring accurate documentation for analysis and reporting.
• Assist the Safety Manager with investigations of accidents, incidents, and near misses, and support the preparation of formal reports and corrective action plans.
• Report to and support the client Safety Manager on all matters related to the safety and health of workers and the public around project sites.
• Attend construction coordination meetings to offer proactive safety advice on upcoming tasks and to identify potential hazards before work begins.
• Promote a partnership-based approach to safety, engaging project teams and subcontractors in collaborative problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of OSHA, state, and industry safety regulations relevant to vertical construction and data center projects.
• Use MS Office tools to prepare safety reports, track audit findings, manage training records, and maintain safety documentation.
• Support ongoing remodeling work involving VFDs, underground infrastructure, cooling tower relocation and installation, and interior construction by integrating safety requirements into planning and execution.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in vertical construction as a site safety specialist or similar safety leadership role.
• Strong background in construction safety with direct experience overseeing complex, multi-phase projects.
• Data center construction experience, highly preferred, with familiarity in the unique safety considerations of mission-critical facilities.
• Current OSHA certifications, including OSHA 500; CHST is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement site-specific safety plans and procedures.
• Proven experience conducting regular safety audits and inspections across multiple active job sites.
• In-depth knowledge of OSHA regulations, state safety laws, and client-specific safety requirements.
• Ability to ensure subcontractor compliance with safety documentation, including JHAs, permits, and training records.
• Experience providing safety training and coaching on safe practices and PPE usage.
• Strong analytical skills for collecting, recording, and interpreting safety data related to accidents, incidents, and near misses.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications for documentation, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with project teams, subcontractors, and client representatives.
• Ability to work full time on site and maintain a visible, proactive presence in the field.
• Commitment to a partnership approach to safety, emphasizing collaboration and mutual accountability.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Certification as a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) is preferred.
• Experience working on large, mission-critical facilities such as data centers.
• Background in safety oversight for projects involving VFDs, underground utilities, cooling towers, and interior construction.
• Experience coordinating hazardous material handling and storage in compliance with regulatory and client standards.
• Ability to facilitate and contribute to safety meetings and construction coordination sessions.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple sites, audits, and safety documentation simultaneously.
• Experience assisting with incident investigations and preparing detailed safety reports.
• Ability to build trust and influence diverse teams, including internal staff and subcontractors, to achieve safety goals.
• Comfort working within a long-term project environment with the flexibility to transition to future projects as needed.

Work Environment

This position is based on site at a large data center construction project in Dulles, VA and requires a local, full-time presence. The work environment involves active construction areas, including remodeling of VFDs, underground infrastructure work, relocation and installation of cooling towers, and interior construction activities. The role operates primarily in the field, with regular movement between multiple project sites and exposure to typical construction conditions such as noise, equipment operation, and outdoor work. The Safety Manager / Regional Safety Specialist uses standard office technology, including MS Office, for reporting and documentation, while also engaging directly with crews and subcontractors on the job site. Personal protective equipment is required in designated areas, and adherence to all safety protocols is expected. The project is planned to continue through approximately January 2027, offering a stable, long-term assignment with the potential to transition to subsequent projects thereafter.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color,