EHS Specialist - Driver Safety & DOT Compliance

GFL Environmental Inc.; Kalkaska (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GFL Environmental Services is seeking an EHS Specialist – DOT Compliance to develop and oversee FMCSR and DOT programs, focusing on fleet safety and CMV operations.

This hybrid role blends office work with field duties, including travel up to 30% to operational sites and incidents.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Transportation/Logistics Management, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and direct compliance experience).
• Experience: 3–5 years of direct experience managing DOT compliance, fleet safety, and/or commercial vehicle administration.
• Technical Knowledge: FMCSR, DOT, Motor Vehicle Codes; Experience with ELD, Dashcam, and Telematics platforms preferred; Hands-on knowledge of IFTA, IRP, state vehicle registrations/titling, and registration processes preferred.
• Skills: Must have strong communication skills, conflict-resolution skills with the ability to coach drivers constructively, proficient with online platforms. A working knowledge of Google based applications is preferred.

Responsibilities

• DOT Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and maintain compliance with FMCSA and state DOT regulations; Manage driver qualification files, background checks, MVR reviews, medical certificates, and drug/alcohol testing programs.
• Driver Safety & Training: Facilitate onboarding and ongoing driver safety training; conduct incident investigations; perform root-cause analysis and CAPA; monitor telematics data to coach drivers and recognize or remediate safety issues.
• Vehicle Administration, Titles, & Permitting: Manage lifecycle administration for fleet vehicles, registrations, titles, license plates, renewals; assist with IRP/IFTA filing and permits; ensure DVIRs and inspections are completed.
• General EHS & Risk Management: Maintain safety metrics and present quarterly reports; assist with site health and safety management and workers’ compensation claims related to fleet incidents.

Skills

Strong communication

Conflict resolution

Coaching drivers

Online platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree (Occupational Health & Safety)

Tools

ELD platforms

Telematics platforms

Dashcam data analysis

Job description

Position Summary

The EHS Specialist – DOT Compliance is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing environmental, health, and safety programs with a specialized focus on fleet safety, Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance, and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations. This role ensures total compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), State DOT regulations, and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) requirements while championing a culture of driver safety and operational excellence. This is an office and field-based role (approx. 60% in‑office and 40% in the field) with up to 30% travel required.

Key Responsibilities

1. DOT Regulatory Compliance Oversee and maintain company compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state‑specific Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Manage driver qualification files (DQFs), including pre‑employment background checks, Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) reviews, medical examiner certificates, and drug/alcohol testing programs. Monitor Hours of Service (HOS) compliance, analyze Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, identify violations, and execute corrective action plans.
2. Driver Safety & Training Facilitate onboarding and ongoing driver safety training programs (defensive driving, cargo securement, pre/post-trip inspections, hazardous materials). Conduct incident and accident investigations involving fleet vehicles; perform root‑cause analysis and establish corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Monitor telematics and safety camera data (e.g., speeding, hard braking, distracted driving) to coach drivers and administer driver safety recognition or remediation programs. Conduct regular fleet safety audits, ride a‑lons, and road risk assessments.
3. Vehicle Administration, Titles, & Permitting Manage full lifecycle administration for fleet vehicles, including registrations, titles, license plates, and renewals across multiple jurisdictions. Assist with International Registration Plan (IRP) licensing and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) filing, quarterly reporting, and recordkeeping. Ensure all vehicles maintain valid oversize/overweight permits, HazMat permits, and state‑specific highway use tax filings as required. Collaborate with maintenance teams to ensure Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) and annual periodic vehicle inspections are fully completed and documented.
4. General EHS & Risk Management Maintain safety metrics, including DOT Recordable Incident Rates, CSA scores, and telematics performance trends; present quarterly reports to leadership. Assist with site‑level health and safety management, including facility safety inspections, hazard assessments, and Workers’ Compensation claims management associated with fleet incidents.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Transportation/Logistics Management, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and direct compliance experience).
• Experience: 3–5 years of direct experience managing DOT compliance, fleet safety, and/or commercial vehicle administration.
• Technical Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of FMCSR, DOT, Motor Vehicle Codes Experience with ELD, Dashcam, and Telematics platforms preferred Hands‑on knowledge of IFTA, IRP, state vehicle registrations/titling, and registration processes preferred.
• Skills: Must have strong communication skills, conflict‑resolution skills with the ability to coach drivers constructively, proficient with online platforms. A working knowledge of Google based applications is preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Combination of office environment, vehicle inspection bays, and outdoor field/yard conditions. Travel may be required to operational sites, fleet yards, or incident locations Ability to inspect commercial motor vehicles, which may involve bending, climbing, and standing for extended periods.

About GFL Environmental Services

GFL Environmental Services is your true one‑stop provider across North America, specialising in liquid waste and soil remediation services. We focus on delivering specialized environmental solutions across a broad range of industries. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to safety, we aspire to become North America’s leading Environmental Services provider. Our vision is to be Green For Life—it’s at the core of our business strategy and central to every service we provide. We bring this vision to life by offering accessible, sustainable environmental solutions for our customers and the communities we serve. To learn more about GFL Environmental Services, visit: gesi.gflenv.com We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact [e-mail]

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required. Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date. This hiring process may utilize machine‑based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Current GFL Employees

If you are an existing GFL employee and would like to search and apply to current job openings, please visit the internal GFL Jobs Hub.

At the heart of GFL lies our greatest asset—our people. So, we’re glad you landed here! We believe in great careers, making a positive impact on the environment and supporting our people with their life ambitions. We aspire to create the right jobs in a way that brings you along with us. At GFL, growth isn’t just for our business—it’s for our people. Because we see the potential in all our employees to do whatever it is they set their mind to, and we’re proud to support them in that journey. We consider our employees’ personal goals, helping them create the career, and life, that they desire—whether it’s advancing in their job, learning new skills, forming lasting relationships, or mentoring others, while having time to pursue other life ambitions. With safety and sustainability at the core of what we do, we all come together to form “Team Green”—united by our shared purpose to provide environmental solutions that enable our customers and the communities we serve to be Green For Life. We’re proud to say that working for GFL is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to make a difference and grow tremendously along the way. Regardless of the work we’re doing today, we’ve got our sights set on the big picture—not just tomorrow, but for life.

Field Operations – Our Field positions offer candidates across North America the potential for limitless growth and skill expansion as the front line of our organization, making them central to our company’s vision of creating cleaner and more sustainable communities.

Professional Services – Our Corporate positions located in key North American offices grow candidates to form strong client relations, manage key programs and accounts, and ensure our Field teams are operating at maximum efficiency.