At NorCal Pipeline, we lead with Integrity, we Think Big about safety and growth, and we win through Teamwork. As we scale, we are seeking a strategic HS&E leader who will operate with transparency, drive innovative risk mitigation strategies, and partner across the organization to elevate performance. This is an opportunity to build systems that protect our people and strengthen our competitive advantages.  

The Director of HS&E is a strategic and operational safety leader responsible for designing, scaling, and leading a best-in-class safety and environmental program across a multi-division, high-hazard utility construction organization. 

This role partners closely with Executive Leadership and Field Operations to reduce risk, improve safety performance metrics (TRIR, DART, EMR), strengthen client confidence, and embed a proactive safety culture across all regions. Open to candidates nationwide. Only considering California and Texas candidates.

The ideal candidate brings deep pipeline/utility construction experience and can operate effectively in both field and executive environments. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities described here are not a comprehensive list, and the scope of the job may change as necessitated by the business's demands.   

 

Lead, Manage, Accountability (LMA) 

• Develop and execute a scalable HS&E strategy aligned with company growth objectives. 

• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on risk exposure and mitigation. 

• Drive year-over-year improvement in TRIR, DART, and EMR performance. 

•  Manage departmental budget and resource planning. 

Operational Partnership: 

• Partner with Operations to integrate safety planning into preconstruction and bid strategy. 

• Embed HS&E strategy into operational planning to proactively mitigate risk, improve EMR, and drive field execution excellence. 

• Ensure safety excellence strengthens competitive positioning. 

Compliance & Risk Management: 

• Lead compliance with OSHA, Cal/OSHA, EPA, DOT, PHMSA, and multi-state regulatory requirements. 

• Oversee company OQ program. 

• Manage regulatory reporting, audits, inspections, and agency interfaces. 

• Lead root cause investigations and corrective action implementation. 

Culture and Field Engagement: 

• Conduct field visits to reinforce leadership presence and hazard recognition. 

• Coach field supervisors on behavioral-based safety. 

• Lead company safety committees and drive accountability at all levels. 

 Systems & Data: 

• Implement and leverage digital safety management systems. 

• Develop executive dashboards for real-time performance visibility. 

• Track, analyze, and report on key safety metrics including TRIR, DART, and EMR. 

• Utilize leading and lagging indicators to proactively reduce incidents. 

 

 

Qualification Requirements 

Experience: 

• 10+ years progressive HS&E leadership experience in utility, pipeline, or heavy civil construction. 

• 5+ years leading safety teams in high-hazard environments (trenching, confined space, heavy equipment, gas utilities). 

• Experience operating across multi-state regulatory jurisdictions. 

• Demonstrated success by reducing TRIR and EMR. 

 

Certifications: 

• Required: CHST or equivalent 

• Preferred: CSP or equivalent 

• Required: OSHA 30 & 500 

 

Additional Experience Preferred: 

• Union workforce exposure 

• Client-facing safety leadership 

• Experience in organizations with 300+ field employees 

• Valid Driver’s License with a clean driving record. 

 

 

 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb, or balance, and stoop, kneel crouch, or crawl.  

 

The employee occasionally is required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and to walk up to ½ mile daily. Specific vision abilities in this job include close vision and distance vision.   

 

 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, and fumes or airborne particles. 

 

Up to 30% travel is required across all company Divisions & Regions.  

 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

 

Note: Nor-Cal Pipeline Services is a drug-smoke and alcohol-free workplace. Drug testing is a requirement for employment.  

 

Nor-Cal Pipeline Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

 

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