Overview:
The Senior Safety Coordinator is a working lead responsible for jobsite safety execution and for directing Safety Coordinators assigned to the project(s) or area. This role supports electrical construction by verifying pre-task planning, including Pre-Task Safety Instructions (PSI) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHA), as well as high-risk controls (including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and electrical safe work practices), inspections and observations, corrective actions, and incident response support.. The Senior Safety Coordinator coaches field leadership, mentors coordinators, and ensures safety documentation and follow-through meet Alterman expectations.
Essential Functions:
1. Lead Coordination of Safety Execution: 20%
- Provides day-to-day directions to Safety Coordinators assigned to the project(s) to ensure consistent execution of required safety activities.
- Sets daily/weekly safety priorities based on the work plan, risk profile, crew size, schedule phase, and changing site conditions.
- Aligns safety coverage to critical work windows and high-risk scopes (e.g., energization/shutdowns, major lifts, trenching, confined space, elevated work, heavy equipment, work in congested areas).
- Reviews Safety Coordinators’ work products for quality, timeliness, and completeness, including inspections, observations, corrective actions, follow-ups, and documentation.
- Coaches and mentors Safety Coordinators on hazard recognition, effective field coaching, objective documentation, and development of corrective actions while ensuring closure and verification of effectiveness.
- Escalates persistent non-compliance, repeat exposures, or high-risk conditions to the Safety Manager with clear documentation and recommended next steps.
2. Field Safety Execution and Presence: 15%
- Maintains a consistent job-site presence to observe work, verify controls, and promote safe execution, particularly during high-risk activities and periods of schedule pressure.
- Partners with supervision to embed safety into daily execution, including work sequencing, staffing, access control, and means/methods.
- Reinforces Stop Work Authority and initiates stop-work when conditions or behaviors present unacceptable risk, confirming hazards are corrected before work resumes.
- Conducts direct field coaching with leaders and crews to correct at-risk behaviors and reinforce expected controls and safe work practices.
3. Pre-Task Planning Quality and Hazard Identification: 15%
- Verifies completion of quality and daily pre-task planning so it reflects Alterman’s standards regarding scope and sequence of work, resources, environment, PPE, changes in conditions, etc.
- Identifies hazards proactively and confirm controls are in place and effective.
- Challenges incomplete or generic planning by asking clarifying questions to ensure the plan aligns with the task and associated risks.
4. High-Risk Electrical Construction Controls: 5%
- Supports and verifies electrical risk controls, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) planning and verification; safe electrical work practices; energized work restrictions and control discipline when energized work is justified or approved; proper PPE selection and use; barrier and signage placement; and controlled access around energized or restricted areas.
- Verifies safe interface with lifts/equipment and material handling.
5. Incident Response & Investigation Support: 15%
- Supports response to incidents and near misses by stabilizing the area and preventing additional exposure, gathering initial facts, preserving evidence, supporting required notifications and escalations per company expectations, and coordinating with site leadership to implement immediate controls.
- Assists with investigation documentation by capturing a clear timeline, work conditions, employee and witness statements as directed, photos, and other relevant information in compliance with company standards.
- Ensures incident-related documentation is timely, factual, and complete and in compliance with company standards.
- Facilitates cause map investigations, leads/participates in Serious Incident Reviews, develops and communicates lessons learned, and verifies field adoption of improvements.
6. Site-Specific Safety Requirements and Client/GC Coordination: 15%
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- Supports compliance with site-specific safety plans and GC/client rules while maintaining Alterman standards and execution discipline.
- Maintains compliance with OSHA, NESC, and MUTCD requirements across all transmission and distribution activities.
- Coordinates with supervision to correct issues promptly and prevent repeat findings or unnecessary escalation.
7. Toolbox Talks, Safety Meetings, and Field Training Reinforcement: 10%
- Supports the delivery of toolbox talks and safety communications, ensuring they are relevant to the work and tied to actual hazards on the project.
- Reinforces training expectations by verifying worker readiness for the tasks being performed (required training, competent/qualified designations where applicable).
- Identifies field competency gaps and coordinates with leadership to address thorough coaching, targeted refreshers, or training support.
8. Performs other duties as assigned. 5%
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 5-7+ years in T&D safety, with a minimum of 3 years in outside line operations or utility construction required; Outside Lineman or Foreman background strongly preferred.
- OSHA 30 (Construction) or equivalent preferred; documented OSHA 1910.269 training required.
- OSHA 500 and 510 certifications strongly preferred; Electrical Transmission & Distribution (ET&D) Trainer certification is a plus.
- FEMA ICS 100/200/700 certification required, or ability to complete within 90 days of hire.
- First Aid/CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Train-the-Trainer certification required, or ability to complete within 90 days of hire.
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Skills/Abilities:
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- Able to communicate clearly and calmly at all levels, from field crews to executives and utility clients.
- Able to mentor and influence crews and safety staff to reinforce accountability and a culture of prevention.
- Able to build and deliver effective pre-job briefings, verify MAD calculations, and manage control of energy sources, including switching, clearance, reclosers, and remote devices.
- Strong ability to operate within ICS during storm operations, including managing fatigue, staging/base camp safety, and coordination with leadership, utility representatives, and mutual assistance partners.
- Strong ability to investigate incidents and near misses, identify root causes, and recommend SMART corrective actions.
- Proficient in maintaining precise, timely, and compliant documentation, including job briefings, JSAs, switching/clearance notes, incident reports, and utility-specific forms.
- Proficient in applying OSHA 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V, NESC (ANSI C2), and MUTCD Part 6 for temporary traffic control.
- Skilled in conducting arc-flash hazard assessments and selecting appropriate FR and arc-rated clothing to ensure full-body protection.
- Competent in T&D rescue methods, including pole-top, bucket, and vault rescues, with readiness to perform or direct emergency response as required.
- Familiarity with mutual-assistance operations.
Work Environment:
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- Field-heavy role across energized and de-energized T&D sites, substations, overhead and underground environments, public Right-of-Way (ROW) areas, and storm-impacted regions.
- Outdoor work environment with exposure to varying weather conditions, loud noise levels, uneven surfaces, and potential hazards.
- Frequent travel required; outdoor exposure to heat, cold, dust, wind, standing water, and uneven or unstable footing. Work occurs around traffic and heavy equipment, requiring MUTCD-compliant traffic control.
Physical Demands:
- Able to stand, walk, climb, bend, reach, stoop, kneel, lift, carry, push, handle products, and stretch for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Must be able work in confined spaces.