Collections Safety Specialist

GreenWaste•San Jose, CA

20d•$96,000 - $104,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Collections Safety Specialist provides safety leadership and support for the company’s collection operations, focusing on driver safety, commercial vehicle operations, regulatory compliance, and fleet-related risk. The role works closely with Safety and Operations leadership to develop, implement, and improve safety programs that prevent injuries and vehicle incidents, reduce operational risk, and strengthen safety culture across multiple locations. The position is a hands-on, field-based safety partner supporting drivers, frontline leaders, and operations teams under the direction of the Fleet Safety Manager. Approximately 80–90% of working time is spent in field operations and operating locations, observing driver and vehicle activity, identifying hazards and unsafe practices, coaching employees and supervisors, investigating incidents, and following through on corrective actions. Work is performed primarily in active collection operations, including routes, yards, shops, and other field operating environments. The typical work week is Monday through Friday, with possible early mornings, weekday evenings, or weekends as operational or incident-response needs require. Regular travel among GreenWaste facilities and operating areas throughout California is required, including frequent travel in Northern California. The role may involve time constraints and the need for timely communication with management.

Requirements

Three or more years of safety, driver training, fleet compliance, or closely related operational safety experience in waste collection, transportation, logistics, or another commercial fleet environment.
Experience conducting vehicle accident investigations, driver safety observations, compliance reviews, hazard assessments, or corrective-action follow-up.
Working knowledge of fleet and commercial motor vehicle safety principles and regulatory requirements applicable to collection, transportation, logistics, or similar commercial fleet operations.
Strong hazard-recognition and risk-assessment skills, including the ability to evaluate driver, vehicle, route, yard, and operational risks and recommend practical corrective actions.
Knowledge of vehicle accident investigation, preventability assessment, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action management.
Understanding of commercial driver licensing, vehicle inspection, driver qualification, and related fleet compliance requirements.
Ability to conduct route and driver safety observations, facility and yard inspections, and safety audits.
Ability to interpret GPS, telematics, camera, and other fleet safety information to identify trends and support targeted coaching and corrective action.
Strong coaching and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with drivers, frontline employees, supervisors, managers, and technical personnel.
Ability to deliver driver safety training, toolbox talks, and other safety training in a practical and engaging manner.
Ability to organize and follow multiple corrective actions and safety initiatives through completion across multiple locations.
Strong written communication, documentation, and basic data-analysis skills.
Ability to work independently in active collection and fleet environments while maintaining effective partnerships with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety leadership.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly between assigned GreenWaste facilities and operating locations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety, telematics, and fleet management/reporting systems.
Proficiency in English.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods while driving between sites or performing in-office tasks; walk, stand, enter and exit vehicles, and navigate yards, shops, collection areas, and other operating environments.
Ability to safely move through areas with uneven surfaces, noise, dust, traffic, vehicle and equipment movement, and varying indoor and outdoor conditions.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment during field observations, audits, inspections, training, and incident reviews.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting commercial vehicle operations and working directly with drivers and frontline operations teams.
OSHA 30-Hour training or equivalent safety training.
Associate's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Transportation, Operations, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Safety or fleet-related certification such as ASP, OHST, CHST, CDS, or equivalent.
Class A or B commercial driver's license.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Conduct frequent field and route observations of driving practices, backing, vehicle positioning, pedestrian interaction, vehicle inspections, yard operations, and other collection activities to identify hazards and opportunities for coaching and risk reduction.
Conduct and support investigations of vehicle accidents, employee injuries, near misses, property damage, and high-potential events; participate in root-cause analysis and develop and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Track, analyze, and report assigned safety performance indicators, including vehicle accidents and incidents, preventability, near misses, driver safety observations, training completion, telematics indicators, and corrective-action status; identify recurring issues and escalate emerging risks.
Support compliance with applicable commercial vehicle safety requirements, company policies, driver qualification and licensing requirements, and required vehicle and safety documentation.
Support BIT inspections, audits, and regulatory readiness, and assist Operations in identifying and resolving vehicle and driver compliance issues.
Use GPS, telematics, camera systems, and other available safety data to identify driving risks, recurring trends, and opportunities for targeted field observation, coaching, and corrective action.
Track and follow up on corrective and preventive actions from investigations, inspections, audits, driver observations, and safety reviews to verify timely completion and effectiveness.
Provide hands-on coaching and feedback to drivers, supervisors, and managers on safe driving practices, vehicle operation, route hazards, backing, pedestrian interaction, and other collection-related safety risks.
Conduct and support new-driver safety orientation, driver safety training, refresher training, toolbox talks, and other assigned fleet safety training for employees and supervisors.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety leadership to address risks associated with commercial vehicle operations, route conditions, vehicle condition, yards, equipment, and employee-vehicle interaction.
Participate in Safety Committee meetings, safety campaigns, operational safety meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Research and apply applicable fleet and occupational safety requirements and company safety standards to collection operations, and assist with maintaining required safety documentation and records.