Safety Specialist

NOVA Engineering and Environmental is hiring a Safety Specialist based out of NOVA’s Kennesaw, Georgia headquarters. As a key member of the Safety Team, this role helps advance safety and health initiatives, promote employee ownership of safety, and provide strategic and tactical support to operations teams across NOVA.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing and executing safety and health policies and procedures that support NOVA’s continuous improvement goals, including the prevention of fatalities and major accidents or injuries. Inspect and evaluate work practices in offices, field locations, and testing laboratories to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable OSHA, MSHA, ANSI, or DOT regulations/standards. Document unsafe conditions or activities, assist managers with corrective measures, and support lessons learned reports.
• Assist in developing and delivering engagement, compliant safety, procedure, and software platform training for staff, including course materials, computer-based training, visual resources, training aids, and instructor guides.
• Deliver safety training virtually and in person to groups of varying sizes, including weekly virtual New Hire Orientation for new staff.
• Maintain accurate records, track assigned safety data, and submit required weekly, monthly, and annual reports on schedule.
• Complete accident reports and investigations for vehicle accidents, injuries, near misses, and property damage, and participate in post-accident reviews.
• Assist Project Managers with site-specific safety plans and related safety program or training requirements.
• Participate as a leading member of NOVA’s Safety Committee and related subcommittees.
• Perform additional assignments as directed by the Vice President of Safety.
• This position is typically split evenly between field and office work, though the balance may fluctuate based on business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications:

• The Safety Specialist should be a strategic thinker who can execute effectively, address tactical and strategic issues, demonstrate leadership and coaching skills, and communicate credibly and respectfully with clients, staff, and subcontractors at all levels.
• Must be a self-starter who can organize and manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Must possess a high level of integrity.
• Experience with process and continuous improvement initiatives is a plus.
• Thorough understanding of federal, state, and local safety regulations, with the ability to promote compliance through coaching, communication, and appropriate escalation when necessary.
• Ability to read and interpret business documents, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports and business correspondence; and present information effectively to managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Strong computer skills are required; NOVA uses Microsoft-based products, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, and Copilot, among others.
• Experience with the HSI-EHS Platform is preferred but not required.
• The candidate must be able to learn unfamiliar software platforms, including AI-based tools.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. Driver safety is a major initiative at NOVA, and the selected candidate must lead by example.
• Extended presence on NOVA’s job sites is not part of the typical business model; however, travel to NOVA business locations, laboratories, and field sites throughout the Southeast will be required. A take-home company vehicle, fuel, and cell phone are provided for business use. The candidate must be willing and able to fly commercially when necessary. Will at times be required to enter confined spaces and work at heights.
• Must be able to manage travel budgets, expense receipts, and develop travel itineraries in accordance with department policies.
• Candidate should possess four or more years of full-time safety experience, both in and out of the field, with an equivalent combination of education, training, certifications, and experience.
• OSHA 30 certification is required. OSHA 501 certification is preferred.
• Candidate should possess at least one nationally recognized certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), National Safety Council (NSC), Georgia Tech Professional Education, or a similar organization.
• Selected candidate must possess or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid/AED instructor certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to handle or feel.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop or kneel.
• Able to drive for long periods if necessary.
• Work indoors and outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Frequently work in outside weather conditions.

Check out our Perks + Benefits:

In addition to our welcoming company culture and competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy the below benefits:

• Use of take-home Company Vehicle and gas card for daily travel to work sites
• Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
• Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
• Certification reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Company–observed paid holidays
• Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
• Company paid short term disability coverage
• Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
• 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
• Wellness program with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program

NOVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NOVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

About NOVA:

Established in 1996, NOVA was originally founded to provide Environmental Consulting, Geotechnical Engineering, and Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services to the design and construction community, largely in the southeastern United States. Since our founding, NOVA has added additional service lines such as Facilities and Building Envelope, Forensics, Municipal and more. We are dedicated to providing a wide variety of projects and services with an emphasis on collaboration and safety. We offer a stimulating and inspiring work environment where our employees are recognized for their efforts and achievements and are mentored for professional growth.

Currently, NOVA employs 650+ personnel in 18 offices serving clients throughout the southeastern United States and beyond. Our firm has professional and administrative support staff that includes registered professional engineers, registered professional geologists, environmental scientists, registered roof observers, LEED accredited professionals, soil/foundation engineers, laboratory specialists, materials technicians, ICC-certified inspectors, NICET-certified technicians, and AWS-certified welding inspectors. NOVA’s facilities include AASHTO-accredited laboratories in soils, concrete, aggregate and hot-mix asphalt testing/inspection. We also have CCRL-inspected laboratories for concrete sampling, curing, and testing. NOVA will continue to expand its reach and reputation as a leader in the testing, inspection, and consulting fields with a strong legacy of quality and integrity by promoting our best internal resources and recruiting a diverse culture of valued and exceptional talent.