Safety Specialist III

Company Overview:

Henkels & McCoy West works closely with clients from diverse markets to build enduring partnerships throughout the Western United States. Our team of seasoned professionals' designs, builds, manages, and maintains critical and sustainable infrastructure for the power, oil & gas pipeline, gas distribution, and communications industries. Building on a 100-year legacy of performance and service to utility, commercial, industrial, and government clients, H&M West brings together extensive knowledge and innovation to deliver infrastructure construction solutions that meet future energy needs today.

H&M West is a purpose-driven company. Our core values guide our strategy, performance, and culture. We believe in maintaining an environment where team members can make an impact, grow, and thrive. A place where they find meaning and purpose in doing the important work of ensuring communities have the vital energy, light, and communications to prosper. Our culture is inclusive and welcoming. Our teams are empowered with abundant training, tools, and opportunities to follow their curiosity and ambitions. Everyone has an equal chance to advance. Everyone is supported, respected, and challenged to be their best. We’re always looking for talented and dedicated people to join us and love where they work.

Henkels & McCoy West is a proud subsidiary of MasTec (NYSE: MTZ), a Fortune 500 Company ranked by Energy News-Record as one of the leading contractors in the country. H&M West is part of the MasTec Power Delivery segment. We are certified as a minority-controlled company by the National Minority Suppliers Development Council (NMSDC). Our rich diversity of people and ideas makes us a stronger, more innovative organization.

Position Summary:

The Safety Specialist III is a senior-level safety professional responsible for leading and advancing health and safety programs supporting electric transmission, substation construction and maintenance, and natural gas distribution operations. This role serves as a subject matter expert in high-hazard utility environments, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while partnering with operations leadership to proactively manage risk and strengthen safety culture across field-based operations.

This position provides advanced technical safety oversight for energized work environments, gas system integrity activities, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Lead and support safety programs specific to transmission line construction and maintenance, substation construction and commissioning, and gas distribution operations.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA Construction (29 CFR 1926), OSHA General Industry (29 CFR 1910), and DOT Pipeline Safety regulations (49 CFR 192), as applicable.
• Oversee safety programs related to:
  • Electrical safety and arc flash protection
  • Energized work and switching operations
  • Fall protection and tower climbing
  • Trenching and excavation
  • Confined space entry
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Heavy equipment and crane operations
  • Gas leak response and pipeline integrity work
• Conduct field safety audits of transmission crews, substation projects, and gas distribution teams.
• Lead complex incident investigations and perform formal root cause analysis.
• Analyze injury trends, near misses, and leading indicators to drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as a safety liaison during regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
• Support contractor safety management programs for large capital and maintenance projects.
• Provide technical safety guidance during pre-job planning, tailboards, switching procedures, and outage coordination.
• Assist with emergency response and storm restoration activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene OR equivalent combination of education and 4–5 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.

• 5+ years of progressive safety experience, preferably in a complex or high-risk environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing safety programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.

• Strong understanding of high-voltage electrical systems, grounding, arc flash hazards, and minimum approach distances.

• Working knowledge of gas distribution hazards, pipeline safety practices, and emergency response protocols.

• Experience with switching orders, energized work permits, and pre-job hazard assessments.

• Strong field presence with ability to influence frontline crews and contractors.

• Excellent investigation, reporting, and data analysis skills.

• Ability to work extended hours during outages, gas emergencies, and storm events.

• Frequent travel to project sites.

• Participation in emergency response, outage support, and storm restoration activities, including extended hours.

Certifications (Preferred)

• CUSP (Certified Utilities Safety Professional)

• CHST or equivalent industry credential

Salary Range: $79,700/yr to $119,500/yr (will be dependent upon level of experience)

Benefits:

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in our benefit plan which includes the following: 

• 401(k) Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• Paid time off

Henkels & McCoy West, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.