Safety Director

The Director of Safety will be an essential partner to each of the members of the management team, being decidedly proactive in proposing and implementing solutions that provide programs and systems that enable the organization to safely capitalize upon opportunities both tactically and strategically. The Director of Safety will be accountable for the following:

• Develop and manage Thayer’s enterprise-wide environmental, health and safety programs, policies and procedures, ensuring same flow down through specific project EHS plans.
  
• Reports directly to the President. Works closely with operations management, project specific management, and human resources while leading a geographically diverse, professional safety staff across multiple business units.
  
• Develop comprehensive EHS training requirements and programs, to include subcontractor and vendor requirements.
  
• Review project specific safety orientations, EHS plans, and training, to include exercising oversight of subcontractor safety practices. Support preconstruction bidding efforts by reviewing plans and providing safety and risk counsel to bid/proposal teams. Exercise oversight of EHS compliance by establishing and enforcing safety inspection activities, routine audits and robust reporting requirements to include the development and implementation of risk mitigation methods when required.
  
• Analyze inspection and incident information to identify root causes and trends and develop and ensure implementation of preventive or corrective practices. Work with operational leadership to assess effectiveness of EHS program activities, policies, and procedures and implement changes to improve results and achieve objectives.
  
• Champion Thayer’s safety culture, based on our Core Principles. Lead communication activities in coordination with talent management and communications to promote and raise awareness of desired culture, continued improvement, and achievements. Educate and train Thayer management, staff and business partners about the EHS programs and their respective responsibilities.
  
• Review investigations of incidents, near misses, and complaints regarding unsafe, unhealthful, or environmentally damaging working conditions or practices. Ensure required information is collected and submitted; that root cause is identified; and that appropriate corrective actions are identified and implemented.
  
• Functions as a senior member of the executive management team, bringing ideas and integrating safety considerations that enhance the Company’s operations while simultaneously enhancing and codifying safety into the organization’s culture.
  
• Interacts with staff, subcontractors/suppliers, prime contractors, customer representatives, and OSHA.
  
• Maintain knowledge of current environmental, health and safety regulations as well as construction industry best practices.
  
• Provides subject matter expertise to the organization and maintains industry contacts through professional organizations, growing the respect for Thayer’s programs and practices.

The following profile will be used to screen and evaluate the background, experience, competencies, and personal attributes of potential candidates:

• Ten plus (10+) years safety and operations experience gained within a progressive company. Experience should encompass ten years of utility construction with at least five years of leading safety programs at the corporate level. Strong preference is to attract candidates with successful experience with power or telecommunications industry experience.
  
• Capable of functioning as a key member of the senior management team and interfacing productively with other function heads. Clearly the subject matter expert but additionally a “business partner” who balances both sides of an issue.
  
• Credentials as a true safety professional – CSP issued by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Bachelor’s level study in safety is preferred, as is Construction Management or related fields. Follow-on study and/or a master’s degree is preferred.
  
• Expert understanding of behavioral safety concepts and tools, including but not limited to human performance and critical controls.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education in safety training in following competencies: excavation, rigging, fall protection, hazmat, confined space, air quality, personal protection equipment/clothing, and electrical safety. 30 hour OSHA construction safety class or equivalent is a base-line expectation.
  
• Experience in conducting investigations, designing incident response plans, and following through to ensure closure.
  
• Demonstrated ability to set-up, facilitate and ensure follow up on service/operational improvement initiatives with a range of business stakeholders.
  
• Strong analytical, project and product management skills, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret business needs and translate them into operational requirements.
  
• Experience in designing and implementing a training program to drive safety culture and teach processes, procedures, and reporting expectations.
  
• Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to apply practical and logical thinking to a wide range of complex problems. Skilled in analyzing an organization, its structure, talent level, strengths, and weaknesses and developing initiatives to integrate business objectives into individual, business unit or corporate level performance plans. Committed to continuous improvement.
  
• Outstanding personal communications skills, both verbal and written. Platform presence honed at industry events, corporate presentations, and large audience events. Relates well to all organizational levels and can present to diverse audiences.
  
• Must be reliable, self-motivated, and able to deal with stressful situations and timelines while maintaining a professional and non-confrontational attitude. Other personal attributes to be evaluated include:
  
  • Intellectually curious
  • articulate
  • strong work ethic
  • proactive
  • change agent
  • honesty/integrity
  • poised
  • teamwork approach
  • business acumen