Manager, Ohio Safety Operations

FirstEnergy

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of
FirstEnergy Corp.

This is a full-time, on-site position located at any FirstEnergy location in
Ohio.

Summary:

The Manager, Safety Operations, leads the deployment and continuous improvement
of Safety & Human Performance across FirstEnergy and assigned business units.
This role directs a high-performing team that provides timely, consistent, and
proactive field feedback; partners closely with business unit leadership to
improve outcomes at the worker interface; and is jointly accountable with
operational leadership for performance against stated safety and human
performance objectives. The Manager ensures compliance and successful execution
of Safety & Human Performance policies and programs, including contractor and
public safety initiatives.

The Manager, Safety Operations provides direction and leadership from the
following perspectives:

Lead and shape the Safety & Human Performance strategy within FirstEnergy and
assigned business units by fostering a culture of ownership, learning,
empowerment, and accountability at all levels.
Ensure all Safety & Human Performance policies, programs, training, and
strategies are successfully implemented across business units—covering
employee, contractor, and public safety initiatives.
Provide strategic leadership and coaching to direct reports, business unit
leadership, and frontline teams to build organizational safety capability and
drive consistent execution of the Safety Management System (SMS).
Oversee consistent application and verification of SMS controls across
business units; escalate systemic gaps and ensure sustainable closure.
Partner with business unit leadership and frontline teams to lead and support
incident investigations, ensuring consistent protocols, identification of
systemic contributors, and timely, sustainable corrective actions.
Leverage data analytics, dashboards, and field intelligence to identify
systemic risks, prioritize resources, and translate trends into
executive-level recommendations that influence planning and decision-making.
Establish and develop substantive working relationships with peers, team
members, business unit leadership, and union leadership to enhance a culture
of safety, compliance, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement,
and consistent application of the SMS.
Deliver results through standardized metrics and dashboards, including a
robust assessment/audit process to demonstrate compliance with laws,
regulations, and internal requirements.
Establish clear accountabilities for team members with objectives that align
to FE and departmental strategy; ensure clarity of priorities and remove
barriers to execution.
Initiate and monitor implementation of appropriate safeguards in accordance
with applicable regulations and professional practice to ensure that
employee, community, and environmental risks are eliminated or reduced to
acceptable levels.
Plan, organize, control, integrate, and evaluate the work of the Safety &
Human Performance team, ensuring effective coordination with Operations,
Workforce Development/Training, Fleet, and Contractor Management.
Provide financial oversight and meet financial commitments for the
departmental budget.
Manage performance and development across the team by setting clear goals,
providing continuous coaching and feedback, ensuring accountability, and
building a high-performing, inclusive safety culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field of study required (safety-related field preferred); or equivalent demonstrated leadership experience in safety, operations, or related utility environments may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant utility field experience is required. Relevant experience includes transmission/distribution operations, field leadership, safety oversight, or comparable operational environments.
• Prior leadership experience in utility or field operations is required.
• Accomplished and approachable leader with a demonstrated track record of safe operations excellence and people leadership.
• Experience administering company safety rules, applicable programs, and work practices.
• Strategic vision and a continuous improvement mindset.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local safety regulations and compliance requirements; safety-related professional certifications (e.g., ASP, GSP, CSP, CUSP) are preferred but not required.
• Effective oral and written communication skills across diverse audiences (craft through executive).
• Experience working with budgets and aligning expenditures to strategic priorities.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments and under storm/emergency conditions.
• Demonstrated execution of operational initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Workforce Development/Training, and contractors.
• Lead by example, guiding teams through change while modeling trust, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
• Analyze complex issues and strategies, reaching sound, fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Interpret and apply local, state, and federal policies, laws, and regulations as they relate to safety and operations; communicate implications to stakeholders.
• Evaluate departmental practices, make recommendations for improvements, and implement appropriate procedures and controls.
• Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines, especially in ambiguous or high-risk situations.
• Communicate and respond to inquiries or complaints from employees, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community in a professional, timely manner.
• Collaborate with Workforce Development (skills training) to address methods and training needed to improve worker safety.
• This position requires statewide travel including some overnights (approximately 25% of the time).
• Must be available to work assigned storm duty, which could include evenings, holidays, and overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• safety-related professional certifications (e.g., ASP, GSP, CSP, CUSP) are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the Safety & Human Performance strategy within FirstEnergy and assigned business units by fostering a culture of ownership, learning, empowerment, and accountability at all levels.
• Ensure all Safety & Human Performance policies, programs, training, and strategies are successfully implemented across business units—covering employee, contractor, and public safety initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership and coaching to direct reports, business unit leadership, and frontline teams to build organizational safety capability and drive consistent execution of the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Oversee consistent application and verification of SMS controls across business units; escalate systemic gaps and ensure sustainable closure.
• Partner with business unit leadership and frontline teams to lead and support incident investigations, ensuring consistent protocols, identification of systemic contributors, and timely, sustainable corrective actions.
• Leverage data analytics, dashboards, and field intelligence to identify systemic risks, prioritize resources, and translate trends into executive-level recommendations that influence planning and decision-making.
• Establish and develop substantive working relationships with peers, team members, business unit leadership, and union leadership to enhance a culture of safety, compliance, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement, and consistent application of the SMS.
• Deliver results through standardized metrics and dashboards, including a robust assessment/audit process to demonstrate compliance with laws, regulations, and internal requirements.
• Establish clear accountabilities for team members with objectives that align to FE and departmental strategy; ensure clarity of priorities and remove barriers to execution.
• Initiate and monitor implementation of appropriate safeguards in accordance with applicable regulations and professional practice to ensure that employee, community, and environmental risks are eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.
• Plan, organize, control, integrate, and evaluate the work of the Safety & Human Performance team, ensuring effective coordination with Operations, Workforce Development/Training, Fleet, and Contractor Management.
• Provide financial oversight and meet financial commitments for the departmental budget.
• Manage performance and development across the team by setting clear goals, providing continuous coaching and feedback, ensuring accountability, and building a high-performing, inclusive safety culture.

Benefits

• competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• a company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager