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. 

Texting Privacy Policy and Information:  
Message type: Informational; you will receive text messages regarding your application and potentially regarding interview scheduling.  
Message frequency will vary depending on the application process.  
Msg. & data rates may apply.   
OPT out at any time by texting “Stop”. 

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.