Safety & Compliance Specialist

Role Overview

As a Safety Specialist supporting pipeline construction and natural gas distribution projects, you will be a boots‑on‑the‑ground champion for safe work practices. You’ll work directly with field crews, foremen, subcontractors, and leadership to ensure safe, compliant operations across excavation, installation, maintenance, and restoration activities. This role requires regular travel to active pipeline job sites and calls for strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive mindset that helps crews work safely and efficiently.

• Monitor safety practices across natural gas distribution and pipeline construction job sites to ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA, DOT (PHMSA), and state utility regulatory requirements.
• Identify job‑site hazards such as line‑strike exposure, confined spaces, hot work, pressure testing, energized utilities, and heavy equipment interactions; support teams in implementing practical controls.
• Lead Daily Job Briefs, tailgate meetings, and toolbox talks tailored to pipeline operations, including line locating, trenching/shoring, fusion, pressure testing, and live‑system tie‑ins.
• Conduct routine safety inspections, JSAs, equipment checks, and behavioral observations; document findings and help guide corrective actions.
• Support emergency and incident response, including excavation damage investigations, near‑miss reviews, pressure‑event response, and root cause analysis.
• Maintain accurate documentation of pipeline safety activities including training logs, inspection forms, utility damage reports, job brief records, and corrective actions.
• Stay informed on changes in OSHA, DOT/PHMSA regulations (49 CFR Parts 191, 192, 195), and state public utility requirements; communicate updates to crews and supervisors.

• Assist in managing DOT compliance requirements relevant to pipeline operations, including driver qualification files, vehicle inspections, CDL standards, and hours‑of‑service documentation.
• Support implementation of the DOT‑mandated Drug & Alcohol Testing Program for covered employees performing safety‑sensitive pipeline functions.
• Coordinate drug and alcohol testing (pre‑employment, random, post‑accident, and reasonable suspicion) and maintain accurate, confidential records.
• Work with third‑party administrators (TPAs), labs, and collection sites to ensure proper scheduling, documentation, and compliance.
• Support supervisors in recognizing and responding to reasonable suspicion scenarios according to DOT standards.
• Ensure timely submission and record retention of all required DOT and PHMSA compliance documentation.

• Lead onsite safety meetings and clearly communicate pipeline safety expectations to crews and subcontractors.
• Partner with field leadership to identify trends, reduce job‑site risks, and develop practical safety improvements tailored to pipeline work.
• Ensure subcontractors follow all company safety policies, operator qualification (OQ) requirements, and pipeline safety standards.
• Perform additional safety‑related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Construction Management, or a related field (preferred).
• Experience in pipeline construction, natural gas distribution, utility work, or energy‑sector safety strongly preferred.
• Willingness to pursue additional professional development and industry‑specific certifications.

• Strong understanding of OSHA construction regulations, DOT/PHMSA requirements, pipeline safety standards, and general excavation/utility safety fundamentals.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interact confidently with crews, foremen, subcontractors, and leadership.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing travel, training, site visits, and regulatory documentation.
• Ability to identify hazards, recommend corrective actions, and support safe work planning.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedule based on project timelines and field needs.

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving…