Safety Specialist (Bilingual – English/Spanish)

Polanko Cleaning Solutions; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Polanko Cleaning Solutions in Gahanna, OH, seeks a bilingual Safety Specialist to support safety across construction and industrial cleaning projects. This hands-on role combines fieldwork at multiple sites with some office time, requiring strong safety expertise and the ability to coach diverse crews.

You'll deliver trainings, conduct inspections, document findings, and help develop JHAs and site safety plans.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of safety experience in construction, industrial, or trades environments.
• OSHA 30 certification required; additional credentials (CHST, STS, First Aid/CPR instructor, etc.) preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication, documentation, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid structure with significant field time (multiple job sites daily).
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field job site inspections to assess hazards, confirm compliance, and support safe operations.
• Deliver bilingual safety orientations, toolbox talks, and client-mandated trainings.
• Assist in building training materials, safety manuals, and SOPs.
• Coach field workers, team leads, and supervisors on safe practices.
• Maintain accurate training and certification records.
• Respond to safety incidents, near misses, and urgent field concerns.
• Conduct investigations, root-cause analysis, and develop corrective action plans.
• Prepare written reports for internal and client communication.
• Track follow-up items and ensure implementation of corrective measures.

Skills

Bilingual communication

Safety training

Field inspections

Hazard assessment

OSHA knowledge

Education

OSHA 30 certification

First Aid/CPR instructor

CHST or STS (preferred)

Tools

Google Workspace

Safety software

Documentation tools

Job description

Job Type: 1099 Contractor (with opportunity to transition to W-2 full-time employment in the near future)

Location: Gahanna, OH (hybrid field + office)

Hours: 40 hours per week (field-driven schedule; some office days)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, bilingual Safety Specialist to support safety performance across our construction, industrial, and post-construction cleaning projects. This is a hands-on, field-focused role that requires strong safety expertise, the ability to coach diverse crews, and the confidence to operate across multiple job sites daily.

The ideal candidate brings deep construction safety experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to build and reinforce a culture of safety and accountability. They must be comfortable delivering training, conducting inspections, documenting findings, and supporting both field and office operations.

This is a hybrid role: you may begin your day in the field at a job site, or at the Gahanna office depending on project needs.

Key Responsibilities

Field Safety Oversight

• Conduct regular job site inspections to assess hazards, confirm compliance, and support safe operations.
• Identify issues proactively and take corrective actions in real time.
• Verify use of proper PPE, equipment, tools, and safety controls.
• Ensure teams meet client-specific safety requirements and OSHA standards.

Training & Development

• Deliver bilingual safety orientations, toolbox talks, and client-mandated trainings.
• Assist in building training materials, safety manuals, and SOPs.
• Coach field workers, team leads, and supervisors on safe practices.
• Maintain accurate training and certification records.
• Respond to safety incidents, near misses, and urgent field concerns.
• Conduct investigations, root-cause analysis, and develop corrective action plans.
• Prepare written reports for internal and client communication.
• Track follow-up items and ensure implementation of corrective measures.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain safety logs, inspection reports, incident documents, and audit records.
• Support compliance with OSHA, state/local regulations, and client policies.
• Assist in developing Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and site safety plans.
• Participate in safety audits, walkthroughs, and client meetings as needed.

Operations Collaboration

• Work closely with field leadership, operations, and HR to align safety standards with project requirements.
• Participate in operational planning, project kickoff meetings, and field workforce deployments.
• Support the rollout of new safety initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a bilingual point of contact for field staff regarding safety questions.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of safety experience in construction, industrial, or trades environments.
• OSHA 30 certification required; additional credentials (CHST, STS, First Aid/CPR instructor, etc.) preferred.
• Deep knowledge of OSHA regulations, hazard recognition, equipment safety, PPE requirements, and industrial safety practices.
• Experience conducting safety training for diverse groups.
• Strong communication, documentation, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid structure with significant field time (multiple job sites daily).
• Tech-savvy; comfortable with reporting apps, documentation tools, and Google Workspace.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Compensation

• 1099 contractor role at hire.
• Clear opportunity for transition into a full-time W-2 Safety Specialist position as the company continues to grow.