Senior Construction Safety Specialist

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that thrives on diversity and is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location: Project Management Complex, located on the San Diego International Airport campus. Work alongside with our Construction JV partners on the waterfront, providing stunning views of San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline. Regular visits to new and ongoing construction sites throughout Airport campus.
• Salary: The hiring salary for Senior Safety Specialist is starting at $102,506. The full pay range for Senior Safety Specialist is $85,959-$141,832.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
• Application Deadline: April 23, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Airport Design & Construction department is seeking a Senior Construction Safety Specialist with a strategic, hands-on focus on contractor oversight, safety performance, and training in support of construction and capital projects at San Diego International Airport. This role plays a vital part in ensuring safe, compliant workplace conditions across SAN’s expanding infrastructure.

The Senior Safety Specialist Analyst will serve as the primary safety lead for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and tenant improvements—responsible for onboarding contractors, conducting site safety audits, and overseeing accident investigations. The role also includes implementing and evaluating safety programs, facilitating training, and supporting workplace audits—all while promoting a proactive safety culture.

This is a role that’s equal parts strategic and hands-on, highly visible across the organization, and deeply connected to the airport’s transformation. It offers a unique opportunity to influence safety outcomes and contribute to strategic improvements at one of the world’s busiest single-runway airports. The ideal candidate will bring a balance of technical knowledge, field experience, and collaborative leadership, helping to shape how safety is executed and experienced across the Authority.

What You’ll Do:

• Contractor & Construction Oversight: Serves as the primary safety lead for construction and tenant improvement projects, onboarding contractors, monitoring jobsite practices, and ensuring compliance with Authority and regulatory standards.
• Safety Audits & Incident Response: Conducts field inspections, hazard assessments, and workplace audits; leads accident investigations, determines root causes, and recommends corrective actions.
• Program Development & Implementation: Develops, evaluates, and improves safety programs and initiatives aligned with construction activities and organizational goals.
• Training & Culture Building: Designs and delivers safety training for staff and contractors while fostering a proactive, engaged safety culture throughout the airport environment.
• Performance Monitoring & Compliance: Tracks safety metrics and trends, identifies program gaps, and ensures alignment with Cal/OSHA, OSHA, and other applicable regulations.
• Operational Driving*: Perform safety related tasks such as inspections and incident investigations in areas within the AOA (Air Operations Area) that are only accessible by Airport Authority vehicle.

The Skills You Need:

1. Risk & Regulatory Expertise – Applies deep knowledge of OSHA, Cal/OSHA, ergonomics, vehicle safety, and workers’ compensation to assess risk, solve problems, and ensure compliance.
2. Strategic & Operational Acumen – Understands organizational functions and workflows to develop effective safety programs and align practices with broader business objectives.
3. Collaboration & Consultation – Builds trust across diverse teams, advises stakeholders at all levels, and communicates clearly to resolve issues and support safety initiatives.
4. Leadership & Evaluation – Providesstrategic insight, evaluates complex situations, and influences decision-making without direct authority to drive safety improvements.
5. Adaptability & Tech Proficiency – Manages projects under shifting condition, using industry tools and systems to track metrics, enhance reporting, and support informed decisions.

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Six years of occupational health and employee safety experience, at least two years were in a supervisory capacity, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in employee safety management, occupational health studies, or a closely related field.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30-hour Construction Training Certificate. Cal/OSHA 30-Hour Training for General Industry
• OSHA Hazard Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certification
• OSHA 500 Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST), Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM), Safety Management Specialist (SMS), and/or Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) designation.

*Driving is an Essential Function

This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role. 

**Lacking some of the skills or experiences we've listed? No worries! Here at the San Diego International Airport, we're on a mission to cultivate a workforce as dynamic and diverse as the community we serve. While certain roles may require specific qualifications, we understand that talent comes in many forms. Some of our positions may not require specific degrees, and we're always open to individuals who bring a willingness to learn and a commitment to excellence. If you think this could be you, we encourage you to apply, and even if this position isn't the right role for you, we will add you to our database to consider for other opportunities in the future that align with your unique knowledge and skills. There's a chance we have the perfect spot for you to land!

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.