Freelance Construction Safety Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gold Key Construction is a fast-growing labor and carpentry subcontractor specializing in data center construction. We supply skilled labor, carpentry, and on-site supervision to general contractor clients on a Time & Materials basis — currently supporting a multi-year, multi-state build program with projects in Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Our workforce is scaling rapidly, from roughly 30 people today toward 200+ field employees at peak over the next two years. We're looking for a Director of Safety to build the systems, culture, and discipline that keep every one of those people safe as we grow.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Safety will take ownership of Gold Key's safety program end to end. Foundational documents exist today — a draft Health & Safety Program, Substance Abuse Program, and onboarding orientation materials — but this role should be approached as a substantial rebuild, not a light edit. You'll be expected to critically evaluate what's usable, rework or replace what isn't, and stand up a mature, auditable, field-tested program across multiple simultaneous jobsites, while personally leading incident investigations, training, and GC safety coordination as the company mobilizes new projects over the next 18 months. You will report directly to the CEO and will initially hold safety authority company-wide, with the expectation of building out a team as the workforce scales.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Critically assess Gold Key's existing draft safety documentation, then rebuild, replace, or mature each program (Health & Safety, Substance Abuse, and related field safety documentation) into a fully implemented, consistently enforced company standard.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with general contractor safety teams on all active projects, ensuring Gold Key's program aligns with and meets or exceeds each GC's site-specific safety plan.
• Lead new-hire and site-specific safety orientation, PPE issuance, and training tracking (OSHA 10/30, task-specific certifications) across a rapidly growing, multi-state field workforce.
• Own incident and near-miss investigation company-wide: root-cause analysis, corrective action tracking, and OSHA 300 Log/300A recordkeeping.
• Track and report leading and lagging safety indicators (TRIR, EMR, near-miss rate, toolbox talk completion) to ownership on a regular cadence, and use that data to drive program improvements.
• Conduct regular site safety audits and walks across all active projects, including travel to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah as those projects mobilize.
• Build out the stop-work authority culture, disciplinary process, and daily field safety routines (PTSA, toolbox talks, JHAs) as standard practice across every crew.
• Extend safety program requirements to subcontractors via the flow-down process, and confirm compliance before and during mobilization.
• Partner with executive leadership on safety staffing as the company scales — including helping build and eventually lead a safety team as headcount grows toward 200+ field employees.
• Support bonding, insurance, and GC prequalification processes by maintaining a clean, well-documented safety record and audit trail.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THE FIRST YEAR

Gold Key's safety program has been rebuilt where needed and is fully implemented, consistently followed, and auditable across every active project — not just documented on paper.

Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah mobilize with safety orientation, training tracking, and site-specific planning fully in place from day one.

TRIR and EMR remain strong as the workforce scales 5–7x, preserving Gold Key's standing with GC clients and bonding/insurance partners.

A near-miss reporting culture is genuinely functioning — employees report proactively without fear of reprisal.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of progressive safety leadership experience in commercial construction; data center, mission-critical, or industrial construction experience strongly preferred.
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification required; OSHA 500/501 Trainer certification a plus.
• CHST, CSP, or equivalent safety credential preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building or substantially rebuilding a safety program — this is not an "administer what already exists" role.
• Experience managing safety across multiple simultaneous, geographically dispersed jobsites.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA recordkeeping requirements, incident investigation methodology, and GC/prime contractor safety plan coordination.
• Comfortable operating as a company's sole safety authority initially, with the ability to build process and team as the organization scales.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and, at times, relocate temporarily to support active project mobilizations (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — this role interfaces directly with ownership, field supervision, and GC safety leadership.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base Salary: $120,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience, plus an annual performance bonus (target 10–15% of base) tied to TRIR, EMR, and mobilization milestones.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; HSA with company contribution; 401(k); paid time off; company truck or vehicle allowance for field travel; phone stipend; support for OSHA/CSP certification renewal and continuing education.
• Travel: Estimated 40–50% during active mobilization periods, with heavier travel concentrated around Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah site launches. Multi-day site visits and short-term temporary relocation support are expected during peak build phases.

Gold Key Construction is a labor subcontractor in the national data center space. We supply labor, supervision, and special trades services across the country and are rapidly growing.