Safety, Training, & Quality Specialist

Opterra Solutions, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Opterra Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Safety, Training, and Quality Specialist in Lexington, KY. The role focuses on regulatory compliance, employee training, and quality assurance across projects and sites.

Occasional field work supports investigations and incident response. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and experience with DOT/FMCSA/OSHA regulations, plus First Aid/CPR/AED certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• DOT medical card (ability to obtain and maintain).
• Willingness to travel up to 90% by vehicle or air with overnight stays.
• Minimum 3 years in occupational safety, training, quality assurance, or related fields.
• Knowledge of OSHA, FMCSA/DOT regulations and DOT requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certifications.
• Ability to prepare professional reports and maintain records.
• Ability to work independently and communicate across organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Inspect crews, vehicles, equipment, and sites for OSHA, FMCSA, DOT, EPA and state compliance.
• Identify unsafe conditions and coach corrective actions.
• Support job hazard analyses, tailgate meetings, and site-specific plans.
• Monitor driver qualifications, hours of service, load securement, and safe driving.
• Document findings, assign corrective actions, and verify completion.
• Deliver safety, compliance, equipment operation, and quality training.
• Evaluate knowledge through tests and field observations; coach for improvement.
• Maintain training records and develop field guides and toolbox talks.
• Conduct incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and corrective actions.
• Support investigations and respond to incidents, preserving records.

Skills

Professional communication

Presentation skills

Report writing

Independent work

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental health, risk management, education, quality management, or a related field

Job description

Lexington, KY | 16 - Lexington, KY
Lexington, KY 40507, USA

Description

JOB TITLE: Safety, Training, and Quality Specialist

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Safety, Risk, and Facilities

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and the ability to drive company vehicles
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOT medical card
• Ability to travel 90% by vehicle or air, with overnight travel throughout territory
• Minimum of 3 (three) years of relevant experience in occupational safety, employee training, quality assurance, fleet safety, or a related field
• Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to prepare professional reports and maintain accurate records
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels
• First Aid/CPR/AED certifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental health, risk management, education, quality management, or a related field
• Experience in commercial vegetation management, utility services, construction, agriculture, forestry, or heavy-equipment operations
• Knowledge of OSHA and FMCSA/DOT requirements
• OSHA 10- or 30-hour certification
• Knowledge of temporary traffic control standards
• First Aid, CPR, and AED instructor certification
• State pesticide applicator license or relevant industry certification
• Experience conducting incident investigations and root-cause analyses
• Defensive Driver trainer certification
• OSHA 510 and OSHA 500 certifications
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the ability to sit at a desk or in a vehicle for prolonged periods of time
• Must have the ability to sit, kneel, bend, stand, or walk for up to 10 hours a day
• Must have the ability to lift, push, pull, or move equipment of 50 pounds or more
• Must have the ability to withstand exposure to various weather conditions while completing work
• Must have the ability to walk, stand, and move through diverse types of terrain, including uneven ground and sloped embankments
• Must be willing to be in close proximity to wildlife such as snakes, stinging insects, spiders, and other species
• Must be willing to work near operating equipment, traffic, and herbicides
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary
• Must be willing to work occasionally outside of normal business hours to support emergencies, storm response, investigations, and operations needs

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Exemplify our five core values (Safety, Others, Integrity, Initiative, and Passion)

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Inspect crews, vehicles, equipment, facilities, and project sites for compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable OSHA, FMCSA, DOT, EPA, state pesticide, and environmental rules
• Identify unsafe conditions, behaviors, and operational risks; stop or eliminate imminent-danger conditions and coach employees on corrective actions
• Support job hazard analyses, pre-job planning, tailgate meetings, site-specific plans, customer audits, and regulatory inspections
• Monitor commercial motor vehicle requirements, including driver qualifications, vehicle inspections, hours of service, load securement, and safe-driving practices
• Document findings, assign or recommend corrective actions, and verify timely completion

Training and Employee Development

• Deliver new-hire orientation and approved classroom, virtual, and hands-on training in safety, compliance, equipment operation, and quality
• Evaluate knowledge and practical competency through tests, demonstrations, field observations, and coaching
• Maintain training records, qualifications, and expiration dates, and develop or update presentations, toolbox talks, tests, and field guides
• Coordinate refresher or remedial training following incidents, policy violations, inspection findings, or performance concerns

Quality Assurance

• Inspect ongoing and completed work for conformance with contracts, work plans, customer expectations, and company quality standards
• Evaluate mechanical cutting, herbicide application, site restoration, equipment use, documentation, and workmanship
• Document deficiencies and trends with clear descriptions and photographs; work with operations to resolve issues, prevent recurrence, and respond to customer concerns
• Help develop quality-control checklists, performance measures, and consistent work practices; recognize strong employees and crew performance

Incident and Claims Support

• Assist with investigations of injuries, vehicle collisions, property damage, spills, near misses, and customer complaints by responding to, gathering evidence, and identifying immediate, contributing, and root causes
• Recommend and track corrective or preventive actions, communicate unresolved items, and preserve confidential investigation records
• Maintain accurate incident investigation and corrective-action data; prepare reports and analyze trends to identify improvement opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Opterra Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.