SAFETY DIRECTOR

Knife River Corporation; Bryan (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Knife River Corporation is seeking a Regional Health & Safety Director to lead safety strategies across the designated region and support the enterprise Safety Management System. This role emphasizes visible leadership, coaching, and risk reduction through continuous improvement and strategic decision making.

Location can be TX Central Region. You will partner with operations, mentor safety professionals, oversee the Safety Management System, manage incidents and inspections, and ensure DOT,

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Partner with KNF operational leadership to align safety principles, functions, and systems.
• Leads, mentors, and coaches safety professionals within the region, including team effectiveness and project completion.
• Oversee the KNF Safety Management System and its components and effectiveness.
• Act as the subject matter expert for H&S and regulatory issues, providing guidance to KNF teams.
• Assist with due diligence for acquisitions by reviewing past performance and infrastructure.
• Coaches and mentors safety team to support leadership and succession planning.
• Conduct site audits, inspections, and team member interactions.
• Oversee workers' compensation, auto liability, and general liability claims.
• Support incident investigations and ensure timely completion.
• Liaise with inspectors during inspections and manage warnings/citations.
• Analyze regional safety statistics and use analytics to improve initiatives.
• Develop and oversee regional safety programs including policies, risk assessments, audits, and training.
• Communicate with KNF leadership on health and safety challenges, successes, opportunities, and threats.
• Keep abreast of agency rule making that may impact KNF operations.
• Ensure DOT, MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR compliance and safety practices.
• Always work safely and prevent unsafe actions and behaviors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in safety or related field

Tools

MS Office

Safety Management System (SMS)

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

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

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

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

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Partner with KNF operational leadership both within the region of responsibility and across the company to support alignment of safety principles, functions, and systems.
2. Leads, mentors, and coaches safety professionals within the region of responsibility including: team effectiveness, optimal deployment, skills development, and project completion.
3. Overall responsibility for overseeing and influencing the KNF Safety Management System, its components and effectiveness.
4. Acts as the subject matter expert for H&S and regulatory issues, provides guidance and support to KNF teams.
5. Assists with due diligence for acquisitions by reviewing, inspecting, and evaluating past performance, systems, and infrastructure.
6. Coaches and mentors safety team to support leadership and organizational succession planning.
7. Frequently conducts site audits, inspections, and team member interactions.
8. Oversees or supports matters related to workers compensation, auto liability, and general liability claims.
9. Supports and oversees incident investigations and ensures thorough and timely completion.
10. Frequently liaise with local, State, and Federal inspectors during inspection activities and manage any issued warnings or citations.
11. 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.
12. Support the development, implementation, and oversite of regional safety programs including: policies, procedures, risk assessment, audits, training, and other H&S technical operations.
13. Communicate routinely and effectively with key stakeholders and KNF leadership regarding challenges, successes, opportunities, and threats related to health and safety goals.
14. Keep abreast of agency rule making that may impact KNF operations.
15. Ensure DOT, MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety and environmental regulation compliance.
16. Always work safely and take action to prevent any and all unsafe actions, processes, and behaviors.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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

BENEFITS

1. Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
2. Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
3. 401(k) with Company Match
4. Profit Sharing
5. Paid Time Off
6. Paid Holidays
7. Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
8. Short-term Disability
9. Employee Assistance Program
10. Years of Service Recognition
11. Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Dependents
12. Critical Illness Plan
13. Accident Coverage Plan
14. 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.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.