Field Fleet & Route Safety Specialist

Ryan Lawn & Tree Inc • Merriam, KS

2d • $75,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ryan Lawn & Tree is seeking a Field Fleet & Route Safety Specialist to be the on-the-ground owner of their safe driving mission. This role involves spending time at branches, in the passenger seat, and on routes with drivers to set the standard for how RYAN drivers operate. The specialist will coach drivers from their first day through every mile they drive, reporting to the Safety Manager and collaborating with the Field Safety Specialist and Learning Specialists. This position is crucial for protecting people, customers, and communities through safe driving practices.

Requirements

• Minimum of an associate’s degree in a related field (occupational health and safety/safety management etc.).
• 4+ years of fleet safety, DOT compliance, or driver safety experience in a multi-site or field-based organization operating a large vehicle fleet, with most of that time spent in the field.
• Smith System Instructor certification required.
• Comfort and confidence coaching drivers one-on-one, in the cab, in real time.
• Working knowledge of FMCSA/DOT regulations, hours-of-service, and driver qualification requirements.
• Experience with telematics and/or dashcam platforms, with the ability to translate that data into direct coaching conversations.
• Willingness and ability to travel to branches regularly — approximately 50% travel to branches, including overnight stays.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in landscape, tree care, construction, field services, transportation, or utilities.
• Experience supporting a DOT audit or CSA score improvement initiative.
• Familiarity with load-securement standards for trailers and outdoor equipment.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ride with drivers across branches every week, providing real-time feedback using Smith System techniques, including with drivers flagged by data and as a standing part of the coaching cadence.
• Deliver defensive driving, in-cab technology, and driver onboarding training on-site at branches, shop yards, and job sites.
• Partner closely with the Safety Manager, Field Safety Specialist, and Learning Specialists, as well as branch leaders, dispatchers, and drivers company-wide.
• Conduct route observations, roadside checks, and job-site inspections to assess driving standards in real conditions.
• Lead in-person, progressive coaching with drivers and branch leaders when standards are not met, and follow through until behavior changes.
• Deliver the driving and fleet safety modules within Foundations Academy and Foundations Academy 2, and partner with Learning Specialists to keep training aligned with field activities.
• Review telematics, dashcam footage, and MVR alerts to prioritize branches, routes, and drivers for ride-alongs and coaching.
• Investigate collisions, incidents, and near-misses on-site whenever possible, determining preventability and driving root-cause corrective action with the involved branch.
• Track fleet safety KPIs (collision rate, speeding, harsh braking, idle time), along with CSA and FMCSA Safety Measurement System trends, and report field-level findings to the Safety Manager.
• Set and enforce towing and load-securement standards company-wide through hands-on field training and spot-checks in the yard.
• Support fleet safety standards and driver onboarding during new-branch openings and acquisition integrations as RYAN expands.

Benefits

• Starting compensation of $75,000 - $85,000 depending on experience, plus bonus opportunities
• Excellent benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with company match
• 11 paid holidays plus 1 floating personal holiday
• 17 Paid Time Off (PTO) Days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree