EHS Specialist - Driver Safety & DOT Compliance

GFL Industries; Kalkaska (MI); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GFL Environmental Services is seeking an EHS Specialist - DOT Compliance to develop and oversee environmental, health, and safety programs with a focus on fleet safety and regulatory compliance. The role is office- and field-based with substantial travel (approx.

60% in-office, 40% field; up to 30% travel). The candidate will manage DOT regulations, driver qualifications, DOT/IFTA filings, and vehicle registrations while driving a culture of safety and operational excellence across CMV

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Transportation/Logistics Management, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 3–5 years of direct experience managing DOT compliance, fleet safety and/or commercial vehicle administration.
• Extensive knowledge of FMCSR, DOT, Motor Vehicle Codes; experience with ELD, Dashcam, Telematics platforms; knowledge of IFTA/IRP and registration processes.

Responsibilities

• DOT regulatory compliance: oversee FMCSA and state DOT regulations; manage DQFs, MVRs, medical certificates, drug/alcohol testing.
• Driver safety & training: onboard and train drivers; conduct safety investigations; perform CAPA; monitor telematics data to coach drivers.
• Vehicle administration, titles & permitting: manage fleet registrations, titles, plates, renewals; assist with IRP/IFTA filing; ensure permits and taxes are current.
• General EHS & risk management: track safety metrics; present quarterly safety reports; support site health and safety activities and workers' comp management.
• Perform regular fleet safety audits, ride-alongs, and risk assessments.

Skills

Strong communication

Conflict resolution

Coaching drivers

Online platforms

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree in Health & Safety / Transportation / Environmental Science

Tools

ELD

Dashcam

Telematics

IFTA

IRP

Vehicle registrations/titling

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-longs, 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, specializing 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

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.

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.