SAFETY DIRECTOR

Knife River - South; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Match

Profit Sharing

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Short-term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary Life Insurance

Job summary

Knife River is seeking a Regional Health & Safety Director to drive safety strategies across the Central Region including ND, MN, SD, IA, and TX. This role partners with regional operations and the enterprise Safety Management System to foster a culture of safety excellence and risk reduction.

You will coach safety professionals, oversee the Safety Management System, lead audits and investigations, and collaborate with inspectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in safety, engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Progressive safety leadership experience in mining, construction, heavy civil, or manufacturing.
• Knowledge of MSHA, OSHA, DOT, BATFE, and FRA requirements.
• Experience developing safety management systems and risk-reduction processes.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operational leadership to align safety principles and systems across the region.
• Leads, mentors, and coaches safety professionals within the region.
• Oversees the KNF Safety Management System and its effectiveness.
• Acts as SME for H&S and regulatory issues, guiding KNF teams.
• Assists with due diligence for acquisitions by reviewing safety performance and systems.
• Coaches safety team for leadership development and succession planning.
• Conducts site audits, inspections, and team member interactions.
• Oversees workers' compensation, auto liability, and general liability matters.
• Supports incident investigations and ensures timely completion.
• Liaises with local, state, and federal inspectors and handles warnings or citations.
• Monitors safety statistics and uses analytics to improve initiatives.
• Develops and oversees regional safety programs including policies and training.
• Communicates safety challenges, successes, and opportunities with KNF leadership.
• Keeps abreast of regulatory changes impacting KNF operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

MSHA/OSHA knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in safety, engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Knife River, we take care of our teams because we know they are the foundation of our success. We are one of the nation's largest construction materials producers and contractors, and our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. Join us and make an impact that will last for generations.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Regional Health & Safety Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the comprehensive safety strategies within their designated region and supporting the enterprise Safety Management System across all Knife River business units in collaboration with peer groups and stakeholders. This role focuses on cultivating a culture of safety excellence, guidance, coaching, and risk reduction through continuous improvement, visible leadership, and sound tactical and strategic decision making. This position can be located within our Central Region operations in ND, MN, SD, IA, or TX.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (minimum educational, experience, or other relevant job requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety, occupational health, engineering, construction, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Progressive safety leadership experience in mining, construction, heavy civil, or manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, including MSHA, OSHA, DOT, BATFE, and FRA.
• Experience developing or implementing safety management systems and risk-reduction processes.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS (preferred requirements i.e. certifications, software use, etc.)

• CSP, CMSP, CIH, or another applicable safety certification.
• Experience overseeing an enterprise Safety Management System.
• Knowledge of occupational health and industrial hygiene programs.
• Experience managing department budgets and capital projects.
• Experience with risk compliance, insurance, workers' compensation, and claims management.

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES (summary of components that make up the job)

• Partner with KNF operational leadership both within the region of responsibility and across the company to support alignment of safety principles, functions, and systems.
• Leads, mentors, and coaches safety professionals within the region of responsibility including: team effectiveness, optimal deployment, skills development, and project completion.
• Overall responsibility for overseeing and influencing the KNF Safety Management System, its components and effectiveness.
• Acts as the subject matter expert for H&S and regulatory issues, provides guidance and support to KNF teams.
• Assists with due diligence for acquisitions by reviewing, inspecting, and evaluating past performance, systems, and infrastructure.
• Coaches and mentors safety team to support leadership and organizational succession planning.
• Frequently conducts site audits, inspections, and team member interactions.
• Oversees or supports matters related to workers compensation, auto liability, and general liability claims.
• Supports and oversees incident investigations and ensures thorough and timely completion.
• Frequently liaise with local, State, and Federal inspectors during inspection activities and manage any issued warnings or citations.
• Update and be knowledgeable of regional and company safety statistics and trends, and use available analytics to modify and increase value of safety and compliance initiatives.
• Support the development, implementation, and oversite of regional safety programs including: policies, procedures, risk assessment, audits, training, and other H&S technical operations.
• Communicate routinely and effectively with key stakeholders and KNF leadership regarding challenges, successes, opportunities, and threats related to health and safety goals.
• Keep abreast of agency rule making that may impact KNF operations.
• Ensure DOT, MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety and environmental regulation compliance.
• Always work safely and take action to prevent any and all unsafe actions, processes, and behaviors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (types and extent of knowledge, skills or abilities an incumbent must possess to complete the job responsibilities satisfactorily)

• Strong leadership, coaching, and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze safety data and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related data-analysis and presentation tools.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Years of Service Recognition
• Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Dependents
• Critical Illness Plan
• Accident Coverage Plan
• Hospital Indemnity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal laws.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

ll applications are submitted online. If you are having issues completing the application, please come to the office for assistance.