Project Health & Safety Manager

Job title: Project Health & Safety Manager

About the Role The Project Health & Safety Manager will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of all project controls functions for a major Flood Risk Control project in San Juan, Puerto Rico, delivered for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The project includes deepening and widening an existing river channel and constructing two riverbank retaining systems composed of tangent drilled shafts reaching depths of approximately 100 feet. This role ensures that all construction activities are executed in strict compliance with EM 385-1-1 and applicable OSHA and local regulations. The Safety Manager will lead the development and execution of the Accident Prevention Plan (APP), oversee Activity Hazard Analyses (AHA), and promote a strong safety culture across the project. The role requires full-time presence on site and direct coordination with USACE and project leadership to ensure safe and compliant project delivery.

What You'll Do

• Lead and manage the project Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program in full compliance with EM 385-1-1 and SPEC 01 35 26, OSHA and PR OSHA Standards.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously update the Accident Prevention Plan (APP) and supporting procedures.
• Review, approve, and enforce Activity Hazard Analyses (AHA) for all construction activities prior to execution.
• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly safety inspections, audits, and evaluations to identify risks and enforce corrective actions.
• Monitor compliance in high-risk activities, including fall protection, excavation, confined spaces, lockout/tagout (LOTO), lifting operations, and hazardous materials handling.
• Lead the investigation of incidents, accidents, and near misses, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Establish and maintain safety reporting systems, including tracking of deficiencies, corrective actions, and safety KPIs.
• Develop and deliver safety training programs, site inductions, toolbox talks, and task-specific training as required by EM 385-1-1 and OSHA/PR OSHA Standards.
• Ensure all safety information, procedures, and training are effectively communicated in a language understood by the workforce (English and/or Spanish).
• Coordinate with subcontractors to ensure full compliance with project safety requirements, APP, and AHAs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for USACE on all safety-related matters, including audits, inspections, submittals, and reporting.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness, response plans, drills, and medical response procedures.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of training records, inspections, incident reports, permits, and safety submittals.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in safety management for heavy civil or infrastructure construction projects, including deep foundations, heavy lifting operations, hydraulic and dredging works.
• Proven experience as a Safety Manager or SSHO on projects governed by USACE or EM 385-1-1 requirements.
• Strong expertise in: Implementation of Accident Prevention Plans (APP), Activity Hazard Analyses (AHA) development and enforcement, safety inspections, audits, and compliance monitoring, incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of EM 385-1-1 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926/1910; OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification required.
• Additional certifications (CHST, CSP, First Aid/CPR) strongly preferred.
• Experience managing subcontractor safety performance and compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication, and field decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain full-time presence on site and enforce safety compliance authority, including stop-work authority when required.
• High level of English (written and spoken); Spanish proficiency highly desirable.

Nice to Have

• Experience with deep foundations, heavy lifting operations, hydraulic and dredging works.

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package and wellbeing initiatives. The role also mentions productivity tools such as Microsoft Copilot to assist on-site work.