Safety Director

KRC Corporation•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

The Regional Health & Safety Director develops, implements, and oversees comprehensive safety strategies within an assigned region and supports the enterprise Safety Management System across Knife River business units. In collaboration with peer groups and stakeholders, the role cultivates a culture of safety excellence through guidance, coaching, risk reduction, continuous improvement, visible leadership, and sound tactical and strategic decision-making. The position may be located within Central Region operations in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Texas. The director partners with operational leaders, leads and develops regional safety professionals, advises teams on health and safety and regulatory matters, and oversees safety programs, audits, incident investigations, and compliance initiatives. The role also supports acquisition due diligence, claims matters, and communication of safety performance and trends to company leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, occupational health, engineering, construction, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Progressive safety leadership experience in mining, construction, heavy civil, or manufacturing.
Working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, including MSHA, OSHA, DOT, BATFE, and FRA.
Experience developing or implementing safety management systems and risk-reduction processes.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Strong leadership, coaching, and influencing skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to analyze safety data and evaluate program effectiveness.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across functions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related data-analysis and presentation tools.

Nice To Haves

CSP, CMSP, CIH, or another applicable safety certification.
Experience overseeing an enterprise Safety Management System.
Knowledge of occupational health and industrial hygiene programs.
Experience managing department budgets and capital projects.
Experience with risk compliance, insurance, workers’ compensation, and claims management.

Responsibilities

Partner with operational leadership in the region and across the company to align safety principles, functions, and systems.
Lead, mentor, and coach regional safety professionals, supporting team effectiveness, deployment, skills development, and project completion.
Oversee and influence the Knife River Safety Management System, its components, and its effectiveness.
Serve as a subject matter expert on health and safety and regulatory issues, providing guidance and support to company teams.
Support acquisition due diligence by reviewing, inspecting, and evaluating past performance, systems, and infrastructure.
Coach and mentor the safety team to support leadership and organizational succession planning.
Conduct site audits, inspections, and team member interactions.
Oversee or support workers’ compensation, auto liability, and general liability claims matters.
Support and oversee incident investigations and ensure they are completed thoroughly and promptly.
Liaise with local, state, and federal inspectors during inspections and manage warnings or citations.
Monitor regional and company safety statistics and trends, using analytics to improve safety and compliance initiatives.
Support the development, implementation, and oversight of regional safety programs, including policies, procedures, risk assessments, audits, training, and other health and safety technical operations.
Communicate routinely with stakeholders and company leadership about challenges, successes, opportunities, and threats related to health and safety goals.
Stay informed about agency rulemaking that may affect company operations.
Ensure compliance with DOT, MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, safety, and environmental regulations.
Work safely and take action to prevent unsafe actions, processes, and behaviors.
Perform other duties as assigned.