EHS Specialist - Driver Safety & DOT Compliance

GFL Environmental Inc.; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

GFL Environmental Services in Michigan seeks an EHS Specialist – DOT Compliance to develop and oversee environmental, health, and safety programs with emphasis on fleet safety and FMCSA compliance.

You will manage driver qualification files, monitor HOS and ELD data, coordinate training, and support vehicle registrations, IFTA, and regulatory reporting while traveling up to 30%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in health/safety or related field.
• 3–5 years of DOT compliance or fleet safety experience.
• Knowledge of FMCSR, DOT, and related regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee FMCSA and state DOT regulations compliance.
• Manage driver qualification files and MVRs.
• Monitor Hours of Service (HOS) and analyze ELD data.
• Coordinate driver safety training and CAPA investigations.
• Support IRP/IFTA filings and vehicle registrations.

Skills

DOT Compliance

Driver Safety

FMCSA Regulations

HOS Compliance

Telematics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety or related field

Tools

ELD

Dashcam

Telematics

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.

#GFLTalent

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