Safety Risk Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Kelly is seeking an experienced Site Safety Manager – Owner’s Representative to support a major new power plant construction project in Marshalltown, IA. This is a long-term opportunity supporting a project that is just beginning, with site activity starting from the earliest construction phases before major civil work has begun.
This position will serve as the Owner’s on-site safety representative and will focus on field safety oversight, contractor engagement, risk identification, compliance verification, and Serious Injury and Fatality prevention. The role is not intended to directly manage construction crews or dictate contractor means and methods. Instead, this person will act as a visible, credible field presence who can identify risks, communicate expectations, influence safe work practices, and escalate concerns when needed.
The ideal candidate will have strong construction safety experience within power generation, heavy industrial, energy, or large-scale construction environments. Just as important, this person must have the ability to communicate well with people in the field, build trust with contractors, and provide leadership without ego. This role requires someone who can be firm when needed, but also approachable, practical, and collaborative.
Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a consistent field presence while observing construction activities across all phases of the project, including early civil work, site development, structural work, crane/lift operations, electrical work, commissioning, and other high-risk scopes.
• Represent the Owner’s safety expectations while maintaining appropriate owner-representative boundaries.
• Verify that contractors are following approved Job Hazard Analyses, lift plans, rescue plans, pre-task plans, and applicable safe-work procedures.
• Monitor contractor compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926, applicable state regulations, contractual safety requirements, and Owner safety standards.
• Identify emerging risks related to schedule changes, weather, workforce changes, simultaneous operations, and high-risk field activity.
• Interface with EPC contractors, subcontractor safety representatives, and field supervision to discuss hazard controls, work planning, trends, and corrective actions.
• Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, coordination meetings, and pre-task planning sessions as an observer and advisor.
• Conduct documented safety observations, inspections, and audits focused on critical risk activities such as working at heights, crane lifts, confined space, energized work, electrical work, and weather exposure.
• Track corrective actions through closure and escalate unresolved or recurring concerns to Owner project leadership.
• Support the review of contractor-reported incidents, near misses, injuries, and high-potential events.
• Review root cause analysis and corrective action plans for adequacy, sustainability, and alignment with Owner expectations.
• Provide clear written and verbal safety updates to project management, safety leadership, and other Owner representatives.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of construction safety experience required.
• Experience supporting power generation, heavy industrial, energy, utility, or large-scale construction projects strongly preferred.
• Prior owner-representative safety experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and high-risk construction activities.
• Experience reviewing JSAs/JHAs, lift plans, confined space plans, rescue plans, electrical work plans, and other critical safety documentation.
• Ability to influence contractors, field supervision, and project teams without direct authority.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the project.
• Professional safety certification such as CHST, ASP, or CSP strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with Serious Injury and Fatality prevention principles preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The right person for this role will be a strong safety professional who understands how to work effectively in the field. They should be comfortable walking the jobsite, speaking with craft supervision and contractor safety teams, identifying risk, and helping drive accountability without creating unnecessary friction.
This role requires someone who can lead through influence, communicate clearly, and maintain credibility with both field teams and project leadership. The best fit will be someone who is confident but not arrogant, direct but professional, and able to keep safety expectations clear while still building productive working relationships.
Work Environment

This is a field-based role requiring routine presence in active construction areas. Candidates must be comfortable working around construction activity, walking on uneven terrain, climbing stairs or ladders, and wearing required PPE. Extended or irregular hours may be required to support critical work activities.
Why Kelly?

As a Kelly employee, you will receive competitive pay, full benefits, weekly pay, and per diem. This position is expected to start as a 1-year contract, but the project is anticipated to run approximately 3 years, creating strong potential for long-term assignment continuity.
Apply today for immediate consideration.