Safety Director

Safety Director – AIMS

Do you believe no challenge is too complex to solve? You'll fit right in at U.S. Engineering Construction. We deliver award-winning mechanical contracting, construction, service, and maintenance solutions with a focus on performance and innovation. Our team of skilled and collaborative professionals drives every project from preconstruction through final testing, always aligned with our clients' goals. Leads the AIMS Construction Division safety function and partners with corporate EHS leadership to develop, implement, and continuously improve company safety, health, and environmental (EHS) programs. Ensures consistent execution across AIMS operations and projects through standards, training, field leadership, audits/inspections, incident management, and accountability. Drives a proactive safety culture aligned with the company's core value of ensuring a safe working environment.

Job Scope: The Safety Director – AIMS is a critical position at U.S. Engineering Construction and is responsible for (1) partnering with corporate leaders to support the development of company-wide safety programs and standards and (2) leading implementation and sustained execution of those programs across the AIMS division. This position works closely with the corporate Director, EHS (Westminster, CO), the Safety Director – Midwest (Kansas City, MO), the Safety Director – Rocky Mountain (Westminster, CO) members of the Safety Committee, operations leadership teams, the Management Committee to align strategy, share best practices, and drive consistent performance.

Principal Duties and Accountabilities:

• Plans, develops, implements, and leads corporate and regional safety, health, and environmental protection programs that support the company's core value to ensure a safe working environment.
• Keeps current on construction industry safety standards and regulatory requirements and evaluates the corporate safety program to ensure alignment with best practices.
• Assists in the development and implementation of company-wide safety programs and initiatives, including documenting program requirements, communicating expectations, and training employees on their roles and responsibilities to support consistent execution.
• Provides leadership, administrative, and technical direction on corporate safety and health programs, procedures, and policies; makes recommendations to the Management Committee on safety-related issues.
• Participates in the corporate safety council to support strategic goals related to safety.
• Drives performance metrics and accountability for safety performance across the AIMS division by establishing and tracking leading and lagging indicators, analyzing trends, communicating results to operations and corporate leadership, and ensuring timely corrective actions and continuous improvement across projects and facilities.
• Serve as a delegate for the Director, EHS during absences as requested.

Division & Project Execution / Operational Partnership:

• Provides direction to division leaders and project leaders to ensure compliance with safety and incident management programs, procedures, and policies.
• Collaborates with project management to provide technical and administrative direction to on-site safety staff and field personnel, including support for staffing plans and coverage needs.
• Supports pre-job planning, procurement phases, and preconstruction meetings as needed; reviews and/or develops site-specific safety plans and coordinates site-specific training when required.
• Controls hazardous working conditions and unsafe employee activities through safety leadership, coaching, and collaboration with operations supervisory personnel.
• Maintains stop-work authority and intervenes when conditions or behaviors present an imminent danger or serious risk; ensures hazards are corrected prior to resuming work.

Compliance Assurance, Audits, and Corrective Actions:

• Conducts proactive jobsite audits/inspections; documents findings, prepares reports, and tracks corrective actions to closure.
• Reviews safety incident and inspection documentation to ensure required records and reports are complete, accurate, and submitted per established procedures; implements and/or verifies appropriate corrective actions.
• Accompanies safety, health, and insurance inspectors during walkthroughs and coordinates or assists in preparing written responses and appeals related to safety citations/violations.
• Assists the company in representing the organization in regional safety-related hearings and interactions (OSHA, etc.).
• Manages the existing drug and alcohol testing procedures across the division and ensures consistent administration and documentation.

Incident Management, Crisis Preparedness, and Risk Reduction:

• Thoroughly investigates safety incidents, prepares required documentation, identifies root causes, and communicates status and learnings to management in accordance with corporate procedures.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the corporate Crisis Management Plan, including maintaining plan documentation, communicating expectations, and training employees regarding responsibilities under the plan.
• Works closely with the Manager of Corporate Risk to minimize liability and workers' compensation costs by owning end-to-end claim management (submission/first notice of loss through investigation, coordination with adjusters/providers, return-to-work support, and claim closeout) and ensuring adherence to claim management best practices.
• Monitors and supports the return-to-work process for injured employees to minimize the impact of injuries; assists in identifying appropriate modified duty tasks when available.

Training, Coaching, and Safety Culture:

• Develops and facilitates safety training programs, including field employee orientation and recurring safety training on relevant topics.
• Partners with operations leaders to strengthen safety culture through coaching, recognition, accountability, and consistent application of expectations.
• Assists in the development and implementation of corporate safety recognition programs that effectively reward employees for ensuring a safe working environment; regularly communicates the status of safety performance.

Safety Supplies, PPE, and Budget Stewardship:

• Responsible for purchasing and/or approving purchases (within delegated authority and the appropriate budget) for safety supplies, specialized PPE, and other safety program expenses, including safety training materials/resources and safety incentive program costs; partners with operations and procurement to support standardization, compliance, and consistent availability across locations.

Subcontractor/Partner Safety (include if applicable):

• Sets and enforces subcontractor safety requirements, including prequalification and confirmation that subcontractors onboard and orient their own employees in accordance with their safety and health program. Monitors compliance, verifies implementation in the field, and ensures timely corrective actions to maintain consistent site safety performance.

Management Responsibility:

• Serves as the Safety Director with direct supervisory responsibility for AIMS division safety staff. Provides leadership and direction to ensure consistent execution of the safety program across the region, including setting goals and priorities, assigning work, allocating resources, and driving accountability for results. Exercises full people-management authority for direct reports, including hiring and onboarding, coaching and development, performance reviews, compensation and promotion recommendations, and corrective action up to and including termination in accordance with company policy.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental Science, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of safety experience in construction, industrial, or mechanical systems industries.
• 5 years of experience in a regional or multi-site leadership role is a plus.
• Experience supporting fabrication, modular construction, or service-based environments preferred.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST), or equivalent professional certification preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities :

• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local construction safety regulations.
• Deep understanding of mechanical construction industry practices, processes, and standards.
• Proven leadership in developing and sustaining a positive safety culture.
• Ability to recognize hazardous situations and implement necessary corrective measures.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence all levels of the organization.
• Ability to evaluate risk, interpret data, and recommend effective solutions.
• Skilled in incident investigation, hazard analysis, and development of corrective action strategies.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities across geographically dispersed areas.
• Excellent ability to establish and foster effective professional relationships with employees at all levels, vendors, contractors, and partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and safety management software applications.

Physical and/or travel demands:

• Work is performed in both active field project environments and office settings.
• Regular travel to projects within the division (approximately 40–60%).
• Moderate travel to corporate offices or remote project locations.
• Physical requirements include walking on uneven surfaces; climbing ladders and stairs; bending,