Safety Director – Heavy Civil & Underground Construction
Position Overview
At Engineering & Construction Innovations, Inc. (ECI), safety is deeply integrated into how we plan, engineer, and execute complex heavy civil construction projects. We are seeking a Safety Director who brings strong technical judgment, a hands-on mindset, and the ability to continuously strengthen and align safety practices across diverse, challenging operations.
This role is both strategic and practical—balancing time between the office and field while partnering closely with project teams, leadership, and clients to sustain an incident-free work environment. The Safety Director is a key contributor in senior management discussions and reports directly to the President.
Travel & Work Environment
Approximately 30% travel typically within the Upper Midwest
Roughly 10 days per month in the field
Primarily day trips with 2–3 overnight trips per month
Remaining time based at either ECI headquarters in Oakdale, MN, or our facility in Roberts, WI
Key Responsibilities
Lead the ongoing development, refinement, and implementation of ECI’s corporate safety systems to align with company values, operational needs, and regulatory requirements
Provide safety leadership and hands-on support across multiple heavy civil construction projects
Identify hazards and implement effective controls to prevent incidents
Maintain full authority to intervene, including stopping work when unsafe conditions exist
Develop job site safety plans, training materials, and meeting content
Guide office and field leadership to maintain consistency with ECI’s safety vision
Oversee incident investigations, near-miss reporting, and corrective action tracking
Analyze trends and performance metrics (EMR, TRIR) to drive continuous improvement
Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA and other regulatory requirements
Manage injury response and return-to-work processes
Conduct audits and field observations, providing actionable feedback to project teams
Communicate safety performance and insights to senior leadership
Preferred Areas of Experience
Heavy civil construction
Marine and hydroelectric
Concrete and structural construction
Geotechnical work (micropiles, anchors, soil nail walls)
Qualifications
3+ years of progressive safety experience in construction
CHST (or equivalent), CSP, ASP, or additional credentials preferred
ECI supports and funds continued training and certification development
Strong working knowledge of construction safety regulations and best practices
Proven ability to influence, train, and motivate teams
Excellent communication, documentation, and analytical skills
Ability to balance field presence with strategic program leadership
ECI is open to training and mentoring the right candidate who demonstrates the core experience, leadership potential, and cultural alignment.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $90,000 – $160,000, based on experience, leadership background, certifications, and heavy civil expertise
Discretionary bonus tied to safety performance
Company vehicle and all travel expenses covered
Phone, laptop, and iPad provided
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Wellness program
15 days of starting PTO
Simple IRA with company match
ECI-paid safety training and professional certifications
About ECI
ECI is an agile, growing construction firm specializing in complex infrastructure projects for public and private clients—from federal agencies to municipal utilities. Our work includes tunnels, dams, hydroelectric facilities, and advanced geotechnical systems.
We pride ourselves on being:
Technically sophisticated yet practical
Grounded, humble, and family-friendly
People-focused, with low turnover and long employee tenure
At ECI, when it’s the right fit, people stay—and grow.
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ECI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, martial status, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation or preference, or disability.