EHS Executive

DPR Construction; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Wellness benefits

Job summary

DPR Construction is looking for an EHS Business Unit Lead in Palo Alto to drive the Environmental, Health, and Safety Program. This role includes supporting site safety, training staff, managing incidents, and ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations.

The ideal candidate possesses strong communication skills, reports to the EHS Regional Lead, and plays a critical role in promoting safety culture across projects. Competitive salary range from $140,000 to $170,000.

Qualifications

• OSHA 30 trained within 5 years.
• CPR/First Aid Certified.
• Fluent in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Establish accountability for required documentation in the BU.
• Conduct daily site visits across the BU to ensure safety.
• Prepare and schedule EHS training on emergency procedures.

Skills

Expert knowledge of OSHA regulations

Incident cost analysis

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving skills

Public speaking skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EHS or construction-related field

Certification in Occupational Health and Safety

Tools

Microsoft Suite

EHS software/tools

Job description

Job Description

DPR Construction is seeking an EHS Business Unit (BU) Lead to support the application of the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Program at the BU level and support consistency at a regional level. The EHS Lead supports EHS initiatives and project management within the Business Unit and directly reports to the EHS Regional Lead and BU Leader.

Essential Functions

• Hazard Recognition, Prevention, and Mitigation: Ability to quickly identify potential issues or concerns that can negatively impact the EHS performance of a project, the team, and the BU; develops plans to address and mitigate. Conducts daily site visits across the BU and influences project teams, trade partners and individuals to practice safe work techniques and to do what’s right over who’s right. Creates solutions to a wide range of safety and environmental issues across the BU throughout the life cycle of the project. Holds the project team and management accountable to instill a culture of safety on projects and across the BU. Reviews data and utilizes both leading and lagging indicators to help determine a course of action to prevent and/or mitigate risk. Consults BU Leaders with cost and risk data related to project EHS data and provides recommendations for process improvement plans to reduce and eliminate risk. Ensures individuals and project teams have the right resources and knowledge to effectively manage the risk at hand for projects across the BU.
• Incident Response and Management: Prepares and schedules training to cover emergency procedures. Provides leadership, guidance, and solutions to Project Teams across the BU post incident to ensure psychological and physical safety is maintained for all. Ensures trade partners and project leadership remain engaged and encouraged to correct issues and apply process improvements. Supports project teams with OSHA investigations, incident investigations, 5 Why’s, cause mapping, and cause analysis. Supports internal claims, counsel, risk, and insurance groups across the BU. Shares incident results, total cost, and lessons learned with the BU and regional leaders to help drive process improvements. Follows up with other project teams to ensure lessons learned are being implemented and applied as a team.
• Project Team Partnership and Support: Builds and maintains trusted, respected relationships with the project teams, key trade partners, and owners. Engages project teams, craft, and trades to educate, train, and inspire safe work practices. Interprets collected EHS data to shape policies, procedures, and strategy. Collaborates with pre‑construction teams and other services for project planning and pursuits. Embodies the role of a technical builder by demonstrating well‑rounded knowledge of construction sequencing and the effect on EHS practices. Leverages relationships with trade partners to create engagement from trade leadership and provide solutions across projects. Challenges practices that overlook safety as a priority or value. Introduces and recommends new methods, procedures, and ideas to help project teams accomplish their scope and tasks safely. Manages a group of EHS professionals and managers across the BU.
• On the Job EHS Training: Recommends topics for project safety meetings and toolbox topics based on current trends across the BU and similar scopes. Presents EHS moments and/or content to the leadership team. Addresses gaps in team safety knowledge across multiple and complex projects utilizing coaching, training and collaboration. Coaches, mentors, and develops safety professionals, EHS managers, and champions.
• Documentation and Organization: Establishes accountability for teams to complete the required documentation for each project in the BU. Oversees the EHS data collected for the BU, ensuring that information is accurate and thorough. Supports project teams to set up safety systems and file management to be compliant and to ensure risk is managed appropriately.
• Personal Growth and Development: Stays updated on industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance. Participates in trainings which support a deep understanding of DPR’s culture, safety philosophy, and construction core markets in which DPR operates. Invests in a continuous career growth process, including furthering education, skills, and certifications tailored to align with EHS and construction. Creates internal and external connections to influence knowledge of industry trends. Mentors EHS professionals and others aspiring to enter the EHS field. Networks with other industry professionals’ organizations to stay informed, gain additional knowledge and collaborate. Supports and participates in BU, regional, and company EHS initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of OSHA and other regulations related to construction and how to apply to commercial construction projects.
• OSHA 30 trained within 5 years.
• OSHA 500 or 502.
• OSHA Authorized Trainer.
• CPR/First Aid Certified – current.
• Excels with incident cost analysis and insurance claims management processes.
• Excels with scaffolding, hazardous energy, confined space, rigging, and fall protection at minimum as well as other applicable construction practices.
• Proficiency in using digital software such as Microsoft Suite and EHS software/tools for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Ability to influence and educate others.
• Excellent knowledge with multiple trades across commercial construction and the specific hazards associated with these trades.
• Excellent knowledge of all types of workplace hazards (safety, biological, chemical, environmental, etc.) and how they apply to DPR specific project types.
• Ability to disseminate responsibilities and influence others in a fast‑paced construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Occupational Health and Safety (e.g., CHST, CSP, CRIS or ARM).
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree in EHS field or construction‑related field with 12 years of experience in EHS or a minimum of 15 years in the EHS field or construction industry.

Working Activities

Full‑time, salaried. Varied schedule or extended hours as needed (early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends). Travel across multiple jobsites within the BU daily – 75% of time visiting all jobsites; 25% in the BU office. Occasional travel to jobsites and offices outside the BU. Independent learner, adapt new technology, software, and systems with minimal guidance. Proficient with reviewing and interpreting data from safety systems and creating easy‑to‑understand visuals. Coaches and mentors others on importance of safety information systems.

Physical Demands

Work at a computer for extended periods. Navigate uneven working spaces and walking surfaces. Access heights via ladder, stairs, temporary lifts, or ramps. Work indoors and outdoors while wearing and maintaining proper PPE. Sit, stand, bend, lift a minimum of 25 pounds, reach, and twist.

Supervisory Responsibility

Director level. Reports directly to the EHS Regional Lead and BU Leader.

Competencies

• DPR Core Values & Culture – apply DPR values and culture consistently.
• Progressive Leadership – demonstrate leadership of self, others, and teams.
• Collaborating with Others – communicate and compromise.
• Team Leadership – build accountability, excitement, and inspiration.
• Decision Making – mentor for complex decisions with safety and quality considerations.
• Fostering Communications – promote dialogue and communication strategies.
• Adaptability – adapt behavior amid ambiguity and commit to continuous improvement.
• EHS Management – establish strategic alignment for incident‑free environment.
• Influencing an EHS Mindset – embody DPR IFE culture and lead with EHS mindset.

Pay and Benefits

Anticipated starting pay range: $140,000.00 – $170,000.00.

DPR offers medical, dental, vision, and wellness benefits to keep employees healthy.

Equal Opportunity

DPR is an equal‑opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical or mental disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. DPR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Read more in our EEOE Policy.