Entry Level Underground Construction Jobs in Texas

Safety Coordinator I – Underground Construction

Location: Houston, TX
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Some travel to project sites is required
Reports To: Safety Manager

Position Summary

Pate Garver LP is seeking a motivated Safety Coordinator I to support safety operations on underground construction projects. This is an entry-level field-focused position for a candidate who wants to build a career in construction safety.

The Safety Coordinator I will spend most of their time in the field, working alongside project teams to identify hazards, reinforce safe work practices, conduct inspections, and maintain required safety documentation. Some travel to company and project locations is required, which may include occasional overnight stays.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a consistent safety presence in the field during construction activities.
• Conduct routine jobsite inspections and document unsafe conditions or behaviors.
• Assist with identifying and correcting hazards related to underground construction.
• Support trenching and excavation, confined-space, tunneling, and underground utility operations.
• Participate in job hazard analyses, pre-task planning meetings, toolbox talks, and safety orientations.
• Verify that employees and subcontractors are following company safety policies, project requirements, and applicable OSHA standards.
• Assist with inspections of personal protective equipment, tools, ladders, fall-protection systems, and other safety equipment.
• Observe field activities and communicate safety concerns to supervisors and the Safety Manager.
• Exercise stop-work authority when an imminent hazard is identified.
• Assist with incident, injury, property-damage, and near-miss investigations.
• Maintain training records, inspection forms, permits, safety observations, and other required documentation.
• Help coordinate confined-space permits, atmospheric monitoring, and entry documentation.
• Support trenching and excavation inspections under the direction of a designated competent person.
• Participate in emergency-response planning, safety drills, and project safety meetings.
• Develop positive working relationships with employees, supervisors, subcontractors, and clients.
• Travel to assigned project locations as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience in underground construction.
• Current OSHA 10-Hour Construction or General Industry certification.
• Basic knowledge of either OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Construction Standards or OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards.
• Interest in developing a long-term career in construction safety.
• Willingness to work primarily in the field in active underground construction environments.
• Ability to identify common jobsite hazards and clearly communicate safety concerns.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete reports and maintain accurate records.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and work effectively with field crews and management.
• Ability and willingness to travel, including occasional overnight stays.
• Ability to work varying shifts, weekends, or extended hours when required by the project.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification.
• Experience with trenching and excavation, confined spaces, tunneling, or underground utility construction.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification.
• Familiarity with job hazard analyses, safety inspections, toolbox talks, and incident reporting.
• Trenching and excavation competent-person training.
• Confined-space entry or attendant training.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Spend most working hours in active field and construction environments.
• Regularly walk and stand for extended periods on uneven or challenging terrain.
• Access tunnels, excavations, shafts, confined spaces, and below-grade work areas when properly trained and authorized.
• Climb ladders and stairs and occasionally bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment.
• Work outdoors and underground in varying weather, temperature, noise, dust, mud, and lighting conditions.
• Travel by vehicle or air to assigned project locations, including occasional overnight stays.
• Respond to project needs outside normal working hours when required.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Safety training and professional-development opportunities.
• Opportunities for advancement within the company’s safety department.
• Hands-on experience supporting complex underground construction projects.

Equal Employment Opportunity

[Company Name] is an equal-opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

To Apply: Submit your résumé and copies of applicable safety certifications to jose.herrera@pategarver.com.