Principal Technical Consultant, Construction Safety

ERM•Nashville, TN

17h•$137,330 - $170,592•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Technical Consultant in Construction Safety, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, or another location, you will guide clients through the full capital project lifecycle, from early planning and design through construction, commissioning, start-up, and closeout. You will help organizations identify and manage EHS risks, strengthen safety culture, ensure compliance, and continuously improve safety across complex, high-value projects. The role provides technical leadership, mentorship, and strategic advice to clients and contributes to ERM’s growing Safety Services practice. You will influence how organizations design and execute safer projects, integrating safety from concept through operation while supporting regulatory compliance and operational excellence. The anticipated annual base pay is $137,330–$170,592 USD. Actual pay depends on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs; in some cases, pay may fall outside this range. The role may be eligible for bonus pay, subject to ERM’s policies and discretion. ERM offers eligible employees a benefits package that includes paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and AD&D insurance, and a 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, among other applicable benefits.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and transforming EHS management systems, governance frameworks, and construction safety programs for large capital projects.
Ability to influence executive stakeholders and deliver strategic recommendations that improve project risk management and EHS performance.
Bachelor’s degree in safety, occupational health and safety, engineering, construction management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
6–8+ years of capital project EHS experience, including owner-side safety support, contractor oversight, construction execution, and commissioning/start-up.
Experience with Safety in Design, constructability reviews, PHA/PSM-informed risk reviews, and project EHS governance processes.
Strong knowledge of OSHA construction and general industry standards, LOTO, permitting, emergency response, fire protection, and high-risk construction controls.
Experience reviewing contractor safe work documentation, including JHAs, pre-task plans, permits, lift plans, energy isolation plans, training records, and toolbox talks.
Strong field presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence contractors, project teams, and client EHS personnel.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, travel as needed, and deliver high-quality client service.

Nice To Haves

CHST, ASP, CSP, OSHA 30, confined space, fall protection/prevention, or equivalent certifications or training.
Experience supporting complex capital projects in pharmaceutical, high-tech, chemical, LNG, manufacturing, or similar industries.

Responsibilities

Partner with client EHS, Engineering, Project Controls, and Capital Project leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, identify gaps and emerging risks, and drive improvements across project phases.
Challenge existing approaches and facilitate strategic discussions about program maturity, organizational capability, contractor management practices, and risk governance.
Develop and deploy scalable EHS frameworks, standards, procedures, tools, and management systems aligned with project objectives and enterprise risk management goals.
Advise clients on Safety-by-Design integration, constructability risk management, contractor safety governance, operational readiness, and long-term sustainability of EHS programs.
Lead assessments, benchmarking, maturity evaluations, and strategic improvement initiatives to strengthen safety performance and organizational capability.
Translate technical observations and project execution challenges into executive-level recommendations and actionable roadmaps.
Lead Safety-by-Design integration and risk-based decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
Design and execute project EHS governance processes, including risk reviews, assurance routines, site audits, escalation pathways, and corrective action tracking.
Align multidisciplinary teams on safety expectations, communication protocols, and incident-free execution strategies.
Review contractor safe work documentation, including JHAs, pre-task plans, permits, lift plans, energy isolation/LOTO plans, training records, and emergency response plans.
Conduct field observations and audits to verify critical controls, assess contractor conformance, and escalate corrective actions.
Support commissioning, start-up, and turnover readiness by verifying safety planning for equipment, systems, and operational transitions.
Support project closeout by confirming safety documentation, lessons learned, corrective action closure, and proper handover of EHS records.