Safety Director

Meruelo Group•Downey, CA

About The Position

The Safety Director is an enterprise level leadership role responsible for leading safety compliance, risk mitigation, and field execution across Meruelo Enterprises and its operating companies. This position manages and directs the safety strategy, ensuring consistent application of company safety standards, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The role operates within a matrixed organizational structure and requires the ability to lead through influence and partnership rather than direct reporting relationships. Significant field engagement is required to support frontline safety and operations leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Health, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 8–10 years of safety and field experience in construction environments.
Extensive heavy civil construction experience is required, including utility, infrastructure, or transportation work.
Minimum 5 years of experience developing and administering safety programs.
Proven experience managing enterprise or multi‑company safety programs.
Experience implementing and scaling safety technology platforms such as Samsara, EcoOnline, or eCompliance.
Experience managing Operator Qualification programs and related databases.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate company risk factors and related costs and implement corrective strategies.
Strong working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, OSHA, DOT, EPA, NEPA, and applicable construction safety standards.
Ability to lead and influence through partnership in a matrixed organization.
Strong field credibility and coaching capability.
Excellent organizational, leadership, communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Possess or have the ability to obtain a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Position may be required to operate a company‑provided, logoed vehicle in the course of assigned duties.
Field‑based role with regular site visits across multiple operating companies.
Approximately 50% travel to active job sites required.

Nice To Haves

CSP, CUSP, or CUSA certification preferred.
Electrical distribution and/or transmission construction experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise‑wide leadership for safety program development, execution, and performance across all operating companies.
Partner with operating company leadership to align safety standards, field execution, and accountability.
Influence safety outcomes through collaboration in environments without direct reporting authority.
Own the enterprise deployment, configuration, governance, and ongoing monitoring of safety technology platforms, including:
Samsara (vehicle telematics, cameras, and driver safety)
EcoOnline / eCompliance (field observations, audits, incidents, corrective actions, and training)
Ensure systems are standardized, properly used, and delivering measurable safety improvements across all operating companies.
Analyze system data, trends, and compliance metrics to guide continuous improvement efforts.
Maintain approximately 50% field presence to coach, mentor, and support Field Safety Specialists and operational leadership.
Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company’s Safety Excellence Manual
Design, implement, and operationalize Capacity to Fail principles within the safety management system
Integrate and promote use of the Energy Wheel as a core hazard identification and risk‑assessment tool
Author, implement, maintain, and periodically review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for high‑risk and critical activities
Oversee and critically review incident investigations / root cause analyses and ensure that the lessons learned are formally incorporated into SOPs, training programs, and the Safety Excellence Manual
Improve the consistency, quality, and effectiveness of field observations, audits, and corrective actions.
Reinforce safety leadership behaviors and frontline accountability.
Chair the Company Safety Council, consisting of safety and operations representatives from each operating company.
Establish agendas, facilitate meetings, promote cross‑company collaboration, share best practices, and track enterprise safety initiatives and action items.
Partner closely with Corporate Risk Management to manage safety‑related incident requirements associated with the Company’s work.
Ensure timely incident notification, investigation, root‑cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and regulatory reporting.
Coordinate with Legal, Insurance, Operations, and external stakeholders as required.
Ensure lessons learned are communicated enterprise‑wide and integrated into safety programs.
Develop, implement, and administer safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA, Federal OSHA, and applicable regulations.
Evaluate company risk and loss exposure and recommend mitigation strategies to reduce financial and operational impact.
Inspect and review company operations and facilities for safety and risk compliance and implement corrective actions.
Manage the Operator Qualification (OQ) program to ensure employee compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
Develop and implement standardized employee safety orientation and training programs.
Participate in recruiting, mentoring, and performance management of safety personnel.
Work with senior management to address safety performance, trends, and liability concerns.
Accompany regulatory inspectors and manage OSHA inspections and appeals as required.
Monitor safety program performance and incident trends.
Prepare reports, dashboards, and statistical data for senior leadership review.
Prepare and manage the department budget and monitor expenses in accordance with approved funding.
Assume additional duties or assignments as directed by the President or executive leadership.