Safety Engineer — Heavy Highway / Heavy Civil (ESOP)

Safety Engineer — Heavy Highway / Heavy Civil (ESOP)

Location: Colorado (Denver metro & statewide travel) Employment Type: Full-time Industry: DOT / Roads / Bridges / Earthwork / Utilities

Make a real impact on complex infrastructure. Our client (an ESOP contractor) is adding a project-level Safety Specialist to drive EH&S excellence across heavy highway and heavy civil jobsites. You’ll be the go-to safety advisor for project teams and subcontractors—on the ground, in the work, preventing incidents before they happen.

What You’ll Do

• Lead safety on heavy highway/civil scopes: traffic control, bridges/structures, earthwork, utilities, paving, and night work.
• Run subcontractor precons and onboarding; set clear expectations tied to OSHA, DOT, FRA/FAA (as applicable), and client requirements.
• Coach superintendents/foremen on hazard ID, JSAs, corrective actions, and safe work planning around heavy equipment and live traffic.
• Deliver site-specific training (OSHA, client-mandated, task-based); lead New Employee Orientation.
• Own field execution of HCSS Safety inspections and Toolbox Talks; keep documentation tight and audit-ready.
• Conduct routine jobsite audits; investigate injuries, equipment damage, GL/auto incidents; drive root cause + corrective actions.
• Support company and project safety committees; champion a no-excuses safety culture.

What You Bring

• 2–4+ years safety management in heavy highway/heavy civil (roads, bridges, utilities, mass earthwork, paving).
• Solid command of OSHA standards; working knowledge of DOT work zones, excavation/trenching, fall protection, rigging, cranes.
• Able to spot exposures unique to civil work and close the loop with practical fixes.
• Strong communicator and field presence; credible with craft, subs, and owners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety software (HCSS Safety experience a plus).
• CHST preferred (or on track).
• Valid driver’s license; able to pass background checks for airports/rail/military bases.
• Willing to travel across Colorado and respond to occasional after-hours events.

Working Conditions

• Field-first role: outdoors around heavy equipment, traffic control, variable weather; frequent walking on uneven ground, ladders/stairs, confined/bridge spaces.
• Regular standing/walking; occasional climbing/kneeling; lift/move up to 25 lbs.
• Vision/mobility suitable for active, dynamic jobsites.

Why This Role

• ESOP participation with a contractor committed to building safely and investing in its people.
• High autonomy, visible impact, and resume-making projects across Colorado infrastructure.