West Region Health and Safety Director

As the Director of Safety and Health for Knife River's West Region, you will provide enterprise-level leadership for safety and health across a geographically diverse, multi-state operation. You will lead and develop a regional safety team of Safety and Health professionals while setting the strategic direction that advances Knife River's Safety Management System and the I Choose Safety program. As a core member of the regional leadership team, you will design, implement, and sustain safety and health strategies that directly support business performance, risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and workforce wellbeing. This role is accountable for eliminating occupational injuries and illnesses, proactively identifying and mitigating operational hazards, ensuring compliance with MSHA, OSHA, and DOT requirements, and embedding a strong, values-based safety culture across all operations. You will oversee regional safety and health governance, incident prevention and investigation, training effectiveness, and performance measurement, with a clear focus on continuous improvement and financial risk mitigation. Through close collaboration with operations, HR, legal, risk management, and corporate safety partners, you will align regional execution with enterprise-level priorities and Knife River's competitive EDGE objectives. You will also represent the West Region on company committees, cross-functional working groups, and external industry organizations. This role requires a visionary, data-driven leader with strong executive presence, the ability to influence without authority, and the agility to lead change in a complex, fast-paced operating environment.

Minimum Requirements: Minimum Educational, experience or other relevant job requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health & safety, Construction Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field or certification such as Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST), or Safety Trained Supervisor (STS). Equivalent industry experience and a strong knowledge of health and safety regulations specific to the construction materials industry (aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and construction) will be considered.
• True safety leader who believes in the commitment to zero harm and creating a culture of safety in line with Knife River's values.
• Strong working knowledge of MSHA, OSHA, DOT, and FMCSA regulations, with five years of proven progressive experience ensuring compliance in industrial or construction environments.
• Experience working with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) programs, including conducting risk assessments, safety training, and incident investigations.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint); ability to effectively communicate, coach, and influence safety culture at all levels of the organization.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects independently while collaborating across teams. Proven leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams, delegating tasks, and driving results. Strong ability to influence change and promote a proactive safety culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information responsibly and professionally.
• Position must be in one of the West Region states.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and willingness to travel to company locations, including overnight stays.

Duties And/ Or Responsibilities: Summary of components that make up the job An Asterisk (*) Indicates essential job functions that cannot be modified to fulfill the job requirements

What you'll get to do:

1. *Champion Safety - Lead by example in partnering with Knife River leadership to support an I Choose Safety culture, actively driving and supporting corporate and regional safety initiatives while ensuring Safety Management System alignment.
2. *Drive a People-First Culture-Champion Knife River's Core Values (People, Safety, Quality, and Environment), fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee engagement, well-being, and performance.
3. *Safety Program Management - Implement, administer, and coordinate safety programs to reduce injuries, illnesses, and financial losses.
4. *Regulatory Compliance & Inspections - Ensure compliance with MSHA, OSHA, DOT, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations, coordinating with site teams to maintain compliance and address safety concerns. Monitor inspections, address public safety complaints, and participate in regulatory inspections.
5. *Identify & Mitigate Risks - Identify and evaluate workplace hazards, recommending corrective actions to mitigate risks and enhance workplace safety.
6. *Incident Response & Investigation - Support incident investigations, root cause analyses (e.g., ICAM methodology), and reporting, helping to implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence. Compile statistical data, analyze trends, and identify areas of improvement.
7. *Workers' Compensation & Insurance Management - In coordination with Risk Management and HR, monitor workers' compensation, general liability, and auto insurance claims. Analyze loss data and design safety initiatives to mitigate risks.
8. *Safety Training & Communication - Develop, implement, and lead safety training programs to ensure employees understand company policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices. Provide ongoing coaching and enforcement.
9. *Safety Culture Development - Proactively create and reinforce a strong safety culture by engaging employees, implementing initiatives, and fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
10. *Loss Prevention & Control - Develop and implement accident-prevention programs, loss control measures, and safe work procedures.
11. *Safety Audits & Program Evaluation - Design and conduct safety program audits, evaluate compliance and implement improvements to enhance workplace safety.
12. *Operational Safety Support - Troubleshoot and problem-solve safety-related situations, including material quality, equipment operation, and production challenges. Collaborate with teams to resolve safety concerns.
13. *Regulatory Engagement & Advocacy - Stay informed of regulatory changes impacting the construction materials industry. Actively participate in industry committees, national/regional meetings, and working groups, positioning Knife River as an employer of choice and industry leader.
14. *Benchmarking & Best Practices - Compare safety performance with industry benchmarks, monitor inspections, and implement best practices to improve safety outcomes.
15. *Emergency Response & Preparedness - Develop and oversee emergency response plans, ensuring employees are trained and prepared for workplace emergencies.
16. *Implement Safety Best Practices & Performance Metrics - Drive Safety operational excellence by establishing KPIs, leading process improvements, and implementing industry best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
17. *Partner with Operations for Strategic Safety Planning - Collaborate with operations leaders to align safety initiatives with business priorities, ensuring safety strategies support operational goals and workforce demands.
18. *Lead & Develop Safety Team - Provide leadership, guidance, and professional development for safety team members, building strong teams that deliver high-quality safety support and drive employee engagement.
19. *Travel & Field Support - Travel regularly to all company operations across the West Region to provide on-site safety support, training, and compliance oversight. Must be able to travel on short notice and for extended periods as needed. Travel to out-of-state regional locations or corporate offices may be required.

Perform Additional Duties as Assigned - Take on special projects and leadership initiatives that enhance the company's people strategy and organizational effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Types and extent of knowledge, skills an incumbent must possess to complete the job responsibilities satisfactorily

• Deep Safety & Regulatory Knowledge - Strong understanding of MSHA, OSHA, and DOT regulations, including experience supporting compliance audits, risk assessments, and the ability to develop and deliver safety training across all levels to diverse learners.
• Collaborative and influential communicator who can connect effectively with team members, customers, industry peers, government officials, and community stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Crisis Management - Skilled in risk assessment, troubleshooting, and crisis management, with the ability to respond effectively to safety-related challenges.
• Technical & Analytical Skills - Ability to research, analyze, and develop safety plans and schedules, using data-driven insights to support decision-making.
• Technology Proficiency - Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other safety-related reporting tools for compliance tracking and documentation.