Safety Director (South San Francisco)
Alvah Group, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
Director, Safety – Transmission & Distribution
Position Summary
The Director of Safety – Transmission & Distribution (T&D) is responsible for leading the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety programs across all transmission and distribution operations within California. This role ensures full compliance with California-specific regulatory requirements, promotes a strong safety culture, and drives operational excellence to minimize risk and protect employees, contractors, and the public.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design and execution of safety strategies supporting T&D operations, including electric transmission lines, substations, and distribution systems.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, with a strong emphasis on
Cal/OSHA ,
CPUC , and California labor code requirements.
Act as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies, including Cal/OSHA and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), including inspections, audits, and reporting.
Oversee compliance with
California-specific safety programs , including Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Heat Illness Prevention, Wildfire Mitigation, and Workplace Violence Prevention requirements.
Partner with operations leadership to embed safety as a core value and operational priority across union and non-union environments.
Develop and monitor key safety performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing trends to drive continuous improvement.
Lead serious incident investigations in accordance with California reporting thresholds and timelines; ensure timely reporting to Cal/OSHA and other agencies as required.
Oversee root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions, ensuring sustainability and regulatory alignment.
Direct safety training programs aligned with California requirements, including high-voltage electrical safety orders, confined space, and qualified electrical worker standards.
Manage field safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments across all T&D operations and capital projects.
Lead contractor safety management programs, ensuring compliance with California contractor and multi-employer worksite requirements.
Support wildfire risk reduction strategies, including public safety power shutoff (PSPS) readiness and vegetation management safety practices.
Collaborate with HR and Legal on California-specific compliance matters, including workers’ compensation, return-to-work programs, and regulatory reporting.
Serve as a subject matter expert to executive leadership on safety risks, regulatory exposure, and mitigation strategies within California.
Lead and develop a team of safety professionals, fostering accountability, engagement, and a strong safety culture.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, or related field (Master’s preferred).
10+ years of progressive safety experience, including leadership roles within transmission & distribution, utilities, or heavy industrial environments.
Deep knowledge of California regulatory requirements , including Cal/OSHA, CPUC General Orders, and California Labor Code.
Experience working in
high-risk utility environments
(e.g., energized electrical work, confined space entry, fall protection, trenching/excavation, and heavy equipment operations).
Experience working in
unionized environments
and managing contractor safety in California.
Proven ability to lead during regulatory inspections, audits, and enforcement actions.
Strong ability to influence leadership and drive cultural change.
Professional certifications preferred (e.g., CUSP, CHST).
Key Competencies
Strategic Leadership
California Regulatory Expertise
Risk Management & Mitigation
Incident Investigation & Reporting Compliance
Change Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
Work Environment & Travel
Combination of office and field environments, including active construction, utility, and wildfire-prone areas.
Frequent travel required across California operating territories.
Position Summary
The Director of Safety – Transmission & Distribution (T&D) is responsible for leading the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety programs across all transmission and distribution operations within California. This role ensures full compliance with California-specific regulatory requirements, promotes a strong safety culture, and drives operational excellence to minimize risk and protect employees, contractors, and the public.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design and execution of safety strategies supporting T&D operations, including electric transmission lines, substations, and distribution systems.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, with a strong emphasis on
Cal/OSHA ,
CPUC , and California labor code requirements.
Act as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies, including Cal/OSHA and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), including inspections, audits, and reporting.
Oversee compliance with
California-specific safety programs , including Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Heat Illness Prevention, Wildfire Mitigation, and Workplace Violence Prevention requirements.
Partner with operations leadership to embed safety as a core value and operational priority across union and non-union environments.
Develop and monitor key safety performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing trends to drive continuous improvement.
Lead serious incident investigations in accordance with California reporting thresholds and timelines; ensure timely reporting to Cal/OSHA and other agencies as required.
Oversee root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions, ensuring sustainability and regulatory alignment.
Direct safety training programs aligned with California requirements, including high-voltage electrical safety orders, confined space, and qualified electrical worker standards.
Manage field safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments across all T&D operations and capital projects.
Lead contractor safety management programs, ensuring compliance with California contractor and multi-employer worksite requirements.
Support wildfire risk reduction strategies, including public safety power shutoff (PSPS) readiness and vegetation management safety practices.
Collaborate with HR and Legal on California-specific compliance matters, including workers’ compensation, return-to-work programs, and regulatory reporting.
Serve as a subject matter expert to executive leadership on safety risks, regulatory exposure, and mitigation strategies within California.
Lead and develop a team of safety professionals, fostering accountability, engagement, and a strong safety culture.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, or related field (Master’s preferred).
10+ years of progressive safety experience, including leadership roles within transmission & distribution, utilities, or heavy industrial environments.
Deep knowledge of California regulatory requirements , including Cal/OSHA, CPUC General Orders, and California Labor Code.
Experience working in
high-risk utility environments
(e.g., energized electrical work, confined space entry, fall protection, trenching/excavation, and heavy equipment operations).
Experience working in
unionized environments
and managing contractor safety in California.
Proven ability to lead during regulatory inspections, audits, and enforcement actions.
Strong ability to influence leadership and drive cultural change.
Professional certifications preferred (e.g., CUSP, CHST).
Key Competencies
Strategic Leadership
California Regulatory Expertise
Risk Management & Mitigation
Incident Investigation & Reporting Compliance
Change Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
Work Environment & Travel
Combination of office and field environments, including active construction, utility, and wildfire-prone areas.
Frequent travel required across California operating territories.