Director of Environmental Health and Safety

Rush Enterprises • New Braunfels, TX

128d

About The Position

The Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for leading the development and execution of programs that ensure compliance and oversight with all applicable safety, environmental, and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. This role provides support for over 200 truck dealerships across North America and collaborates with operations, legal, risk, HR, and executive leadership to foster a safe, compliant, and performance-driven workplace culture. Rush Enterprises, Inc. opens the door to the world of opportunity. We are a part of the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America representing truck and trailer manufacturers. Our franchises include Peterbilt, International, Hino, Isuzu, Ford, IC Bus and Blue Bird. We offer a rewarding career as a leader in the transportation industry. Grow with us as we continue to expand our network of locations and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, Transportation, Business, or a related field; or applicable work experience in lieu of education is accepted.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in environmental health & safety, ideally within transportation, logistics, dealership, or heavy equipment industries.
• Certified Safety Professional or similar credential is preferred, or willingness to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• A valid driver's license may be required, along with a driving record that meets the requirements of the company's insurance provider.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to continuously monitor, interpret, and respond to regulatory developments at the federal, state, provincial, and local levels, ensuring policies and procedures are updated and effectively communicated across the company.
• Ability to perform risk assessments to identify potential hazards and compliance gaps and implement appropriate controls.
• Ability to partner with legal, facilities, ethics and compliance, and risk management teams to reduce liability exposure and coordinate responses to regulatory inspections, enforcement actions, or legal inquiries.
• Ability to promote a proactive safety culture by leading awareness initiatives, including safety campaigns, toolbox talks, and targeted communications.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives across multi-site operations.
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, including OSHA, FMCSA, DOT, EPA, CCOHS, and TDG, and Canadian regulatory equivalents.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects, analyze data, and develop practical solutions to safety and compliance challenges.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to effectively engage executive leadership and represent the company in regulatory audits, inspections, and interactions with external agencies.
• Ability to maintain centralized dashboards and reporting tools to track performance across all business units; ensure standardized, timely, and accurate reporting of incidents, near misses, inspections, and key performance metrics across all locations.
• Ability to track and analyze key performance indicators, including injury rates, safe driving performance, DOT compliance, training compliance, and audit findings.
• Proficiency with compliance and risk management platforms such as Origami, ISNetworld, Geotab, or similar systems.
• Willingness to travel 25-40%

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the company's Environmental Health and Safety and Department of Transportation compliance strategy aligned with organizational goals, operational priorities, and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a subject-matter expert and strategic advisor to executive leadership on EHS and DOT regulatory matters, emerging risks, and compliance obligations.
• Lead, develop, and support a high-performing EHS team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Direct the DOT compliance program, ensuring full compliance with FMCSA regulations, including driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, hours-of-service, and vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements.
• Manage EHS related vendor relationships, including service level agreements, performance metrics, and cost efficiencies.
• Lead investigations of workplace safety, environmental, and DOT-related incidents on behalf of the company, ensuring root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Manage environmental risk across the company, including hazardous waste handling, spill response, air and water permits, and emergency response procedures.
• Oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of training programs covering workplace and driver safety, environmental compliance, and DOT regulations for employees, supervisors, and commercial drivers.
• Conduct regular audits, inspections, and program reviews to verify compliance with internal standards and external regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• Exceptional Total Rewards package with outstanding healthcare benefits.
• Robust 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Employee stock purchase program to help build long-term financial security.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for professional growth through ongoing training and development.
• Culture that values and rewards excellence, a positive attitude, and integrity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees