Field Safety Leader — Heavy Civil Construction

Harris & Co Executive Search; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris & Co Executive Search seeks an experienced Safety Manager for our heavy civil construction clients. The role is field-based, leading safety across complex projects and partnering with PMs and crews to ensure safe, compliant execution.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive field safety experience on excavation, equipment, and high-risk activities, with strong communication and the ability to stop work when conditions are unsafe. Travel to sites is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive safety experience in heavy civil construction.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA construction regulations and applicable requirements.
• Experience supporting active projects in the field, not just administrative.
• Experience with excavation, trenching, heavy equipment, underground utilities.
• OSHA 30-hour Construction certification required; CSP/CHST/ASP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day safety efforts across active heavy civil projects.
• Develop and maintain project-specific safety plans and procedures.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and field observations to verify compliance.
• Create safe work plans, JHAs, AHAs, and pre-task plans with supervision.
• Identify risks related to excavation, trenching, equipment, and traffic.
• Ensure OSHA, DOT, environmental, and client safety requirements are followed.
• Lead investigations for incidents and near-misses with root-cause analysis.
• Track safety trends, indicators, and corrective actions for leadership review.
• Deliver safety orientations, toolbox talks, and ongoing training.
• Coach staff on safe practices and reinforce accountability in the field.
• Verify PPE, fall protection, respiratory protection, and controls are used.
• Monitor site conditions, protective systems, access/egress, and changes.
• Support safe operation of cranes, excavators, loaders, lifts, and trucks.
• Evaluate subcontractor safety programs and field performance.
• Coordinate emergency response plans and incident response.

Skills

Safety leadership

Hazard identification

Field safety management

Strong communication

Travel to sites

Tools

AHAs/JHAs

OSHA compliance practices

Job description

Harris & Co Executive Search seeks an experienced Safety Manager for our heavy civil construction clients. The role is field-based, leading safety across complex projects and partnering with PMs and crews to ensure safe, compliant execution.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive field safety experience on excavation, equipment, and high-risk activities, with strong communication and the ability to stop work when conditions are unsafe. Travel to sites is required.