EHS Manager, Southeast Region

Dakota Matting and Environmental Solutions; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Career growth

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Dakota Matting & Environmental Solutions is seeking an experienced EHS Manager to lead safety and health across our Southeast operations. This field leadership role partners with Operations to recognize risks, strengthen work planning, and implement practical controls on active job sites.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in safety/OSH or related fields, 3+ years in high-hazard settings, and strong communication and problem-solving skills. Travel across the Southeast is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, EH&S, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3+ years of progressive safety and health experience in high-hazard environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA requirements and experience partnering with Operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead EHS management for Southeast projects with a strong field presence.
• Coach leaders on hazard recognition, risk control, and incident investigations.
• Support incident investigations, corrective actions, and performance reviews.
• Develop and maintain safety programs, procedures, and field tools.

Skills

Communication

Coaching

Investigation

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in OSH/EH&S/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft 365 (Outlook/Teams/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

INTRODUCING DAKOTA MATTING & ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS: WHO WE ARE

With vast capital investments within the Electrical Utility Industry, Dakota Matting & Environmental Solutions stands proud in contributing to our nation’s infrastructure expansion. Through innovative access solutions, coupled with an unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, we play a pivotal role in fostering the sustainable growth of essential utilities.

As a woman-owned and minority-owned business, we bring a unique perspective and competitive edge to the industry. We have the ability to attract and retain top talent due to our collaborative work environment and rewarding culture. As one of the very few independently owned and operated companies in this field, we are able to make common sense decisions that always put our clients first, and this is the reputation that we have garnered.

As we are continuously growing, we are looking for an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager to join our passionate team.

POSITION DETAILS

Dakota is seeking an experienced safety and health professional to lead EHS performance across our Southeast operations. This is a field leadership role, not a desk-based compliance position. The Regional EHS Manager reports to the Vice President of EHS and serves as a coach, technical resource, and trusted partner to Operations, spending significant time where the work happens and helping teams recognize risk, strengthen work planning, and effectively manage high energy exposures.

Our approach incorporates energy-based safety, Serious Injury and Fatality prevention, Human and Organizational Performance principles, and operational learning. We are looking for a safety professional who understands that strong performance comes from combining sound technical fundamentals with employee engagement, effective systems, and practical field controls.

This role provides significant field responsibility, direct access to senior leadership, and the opportunity to help shape a growing EHS program.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Success is more than completing inspections or tracking incident rates. It means Operations views EHS as a trusted partner, employees are comfortable raising concerns, leaders understand their most significant exposures, critical controls work in the field, and lessons from everyday work lead to meaningful improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Leadership and Risk Management

• Serve as the primary EHS partner to Operations for projects throughout the Southeast and maintain a strong field presence
• Build trusted relationships with project leaders, supervisors, employees, customers, and contractors
• Participate in project startup and pre construction planning to identify significant exposures and establish appropriate EHS requirements and controls
• Coach leaders and employees on hazard recognition, work planning, critical controls, and effective risk management
• Conduct field assessments and operational verifications to understand how work is actually performed and confirm critical controls are effective
• Apply energy based safety principles to identify high energy exposures and strengthen controls designed to prevent serious injuries and fatalities
• Provide practical EHS guidance for higher risk work and exercise stop work authority when imminent danger exists or critical controls are not in place

Operational Learning and HOP

• Apply Human and Organizational Performance principles to field engagement, investigations, and operational improvement
• Create opportunities for employees to openly discuss how work is performed, including changing conditions, challenges, and weaknesses in existing controls
• Lead incident investigations and learning reviews that identify contributing conditions, system weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement
• Use lessons from incidents, near misses, successful work, field observations, and performance trends to strengthen systems, reduce recurring risk, and verify corrective actions

Training and Leadership Development

• Deliver and support effective field safety training, onboarding, and employee learning
• Coach supervisors and project leaders to strengthen safety leadership, hazard recognition, and risk management capabilities
• Participate in employee engagements, safety meetings, customer meetings, audits, and project reviews

Compliance and EHS Systems

• Provide technical guidance and field verification to support compliance with OSHA, DOT, applicable state and local requirements, Dakota standards, and customer expectations
• Maintain accurate and timely incident, inspection, audit, corrective action, and compliance documentation
• Use EHS systems and performance data to identify trends, prioritize risk, and support continuous improvement
• Support development and improvement of Job Hazard Analyses, procedures, work practices, field tools, and project emergency preparedness

JOB REQUIREMENTS

At Dakota, we take on and execute some of the most challenging access projects in the country. To help us successfully execute our projects, we are looking for an EHS Manager with these qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline; non degreed with exceptional relevant experience to the role will be considered
• Three or more years of progressive safety and health experience supporting construction, utilities, industrial operations, field services, or similar high hazard work
• Experience applying energy based safety, Serious Injury and Fatality prevention, Human and Organizational Performance principles, or similar contemporary safety approaches
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA construction requirements and their application to field operations
• Experience partnering with Operations and influencing supervisors, managers, and field employees
• Strong communication, coaching, investigation, and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently, evaluate changing field conditions, and exercise sound professional judgment
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Candidate must reside in the Southeast United States, ideally between South Carolina and North Florida. Preferred locations include Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; Jacksonville, FL; and Daytona Beach, FL.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently throughout the Southeast, including regular overnight travel Monday through Friday
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and walk active construction sites and uneven terrain, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds when necessary, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• CHST, ASP, CSP, CUSP, or comparable professional safety credential
• OSHA 500 or OSHA 510 training
• Experience supporting utility, transmission and distribution, pipeline, renewable energy, access construction, or heavy civil operations
• Experience managing risks associated with mobile equipment, fleet operations, DOT requirements, or regulated driving
• Experience with EHS and fleet management systems such as EHS Insight, Samsara, or Fleetio
• Experience using safety performance data, leading indicators, and operational learning to identify trends and drive improvement

THE GREAT BENEFITS OF WORKING HERE

The Heart and Soul of Dakota are our people. We want to provide you with the best possible employee experience, so you can be happy and effective within your job. Some of the great benefits of joining our team include the following:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Your health and well-being matter to us. As part of our commitment to your health and financial security, we offer comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and a retirement plan.
• Paid Vacation and Holidays: We offer paid time off (PTO) so you can relax, recharge, and maintain a healthy work–life balance. In addition, the Company observes eight paid holidays each year for you to enjoy with family and friends.
• Fast Growing Company with Great Career Growth Opportunities: Dakota is a fast-growing company that offers excellent career growth opportunities. As we continue to expand and thrive, you’ll have the chance to advance your career and take on new challenges.
• Work with a Diverse and Inclusive Team: Dakota Matting prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive work culture. This diverse exposure will enhance your skillset, broaden your expertise, and position you as a well-rounded professional.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Dakota Matting & Environmental Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.