FirstEnergy Corp

Experienced Safety Representative

FirstEnergy Corp • $70K — $95K *
Erie, PA 16509In-Person
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
3 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Safety, Health, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent craft experience (e.g., lineworker, substation).
  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in the utility or energy-related sector.
  • Experience supporting field operations in electric utility or industrial sectors, familiar with construction, maintenance, or energized systems.
  • Ability to apply Safety Management System (SMS) principles in field operations without direct authority.
  • Knowledge of electrical hazard controls and safety practices adequate for verifying controls execution.
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Provide safety leadership and technical expertise in assigned electric business units.
  • Conduct routine field engagements focused on high-risk tasks and safety practices.
  • Verify critical controls execution during active work and deliver real-time coaching to reduce safety risks.
  • Lead investigations of incidents and near-misses to pinpoint systemic causes and recommend corrective actions.
  • Develop and deliver targeted safety training and mentoring to enhance operational safety capabilities.
  • Analyze safety data and communicate trends and recommendations to improve safety performance.
  • Engage with leadership to enhance safety culture and integrate safety practices across units.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
  • Paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Employee assistance programs and resources.
Full Job Description
Job Description

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Erie, PA.

Summary:

The Safety Rep provides safety leadership and technical expertise across assigned electric business units. This role supports and reinforces the Safety Management System (SMS) by partnering with Business Unit leadership to positively affect safety outcomes at the worker interface. The position delivers consistent field engagement, verifies direct controls for high-risk work, leads structured learning, and drives closure of systemic safety gaps. The Level III Representative also mentors other Safety Representatives and supports consistent, proactive application of Safety & Human Performance programs across FirstEnergy Operations serving as a trusted field presence.

This role provides direction and leadership from the following perspectives:
  • Maintain visible, structured field presence to reinforce expectations regarding safe work practices, coach safe behaviors, and support start when safe and stop-work authority.
  • Partner with Business Unit leadership and frontline teams to standardize SMS practices (risk assessments, learning teams, after-action reviews) and drive continuous improvement.
  • Verify execution of direct and critical controls for high-energy work (e.g., energized line work, switching/clearances, grounding/equipotential zones, confined space, heavy equipment interfaces).
  • Lead or support incident and high-potential near-miss investigations using structured methodologies to identify systemic causes and ensure effective corrective actions.
  • Deliver results through clear field deliverables and standardized reporting, including trends, leading/lagging indicators, and recommendations for risk reduction.
  • Establish and sustain working relationships with peers, Business Unit leadership, and union leadership to enhance a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and inclusion.
  • Develop and deliver strategic safety & skills related topics within the business units
  • Function as this liaison with the expanded S&HU team and skills training.
  • Lead by example, guiding teams through continuous improvement while consistently promoting a culture of trust, integrity, and accountability.

Core Accountabilities & Deliverables:

Field Safety Leadership & Presence:
  • Conduct routine, planned field engagements across assigned shops, crews, and facilities with emphasis on high-risk tasks.
  • Assess job brief quality, hazard recognition, and direct and critical control execution during active work.
  • Provide real-time coaching to supervisors and crews to reduce exposure to serious injury and fatality (SIF) risk.

Quarterly Safety Engagement Expectations:
  • Lead or co-lead at least one formal safety engagement per quarter within each assigned operational location (e.g., stand-down, learning team, after-action review, skills training topic).
  • Document learning outcomes and improvement actions; communicate and track commitments with Operations leadership.

SMS Integration & Learning Teams:
  • Facilitate field-level risk assessments and hierarchy-of-controls decisions; ensure documentation supports learning and improvement.
  • Convert learnings into practical improvements to work practices, training, tools, or program elements.
  • Support program verification and drive closure of identified gaps.

Direct Control Verification - High-Risk Electrical Work:
  • Perform focused observations and comprehensive reviews of high-energy work across FirstEnergy Operations.
  • Validate that direct and critical controls are defined, understood, available, and executed; elevate gaps where controls are ineffective.
  • Support alignment to Safety & Health requirements, safety programs, and applicable regulations.

Incident & Near-Miss Leadership:
  • Lead significant incident and high-potential near-miss investigations and ensure consistent application of protocols.
  • Identify systemic causes (organizational, procedural, human performance) and recommend sustainable corrective actions.
  • Verify effectiveness of corrective actions through field follow-up and sharing of lessons learned.

Training, Coaching & Mentoring:
  • Develop and deliver targeted training focused on direct controls, high-risk tasks, and improved job planning/briefing quality.
  • Mentor and coach Level I-II Safety Representatives and frontline leadership to build operational safety capability.

Analytics & Reporting:
  • Analyze safety data, identify trends, and communicate emerging risk themes with recommended mitigations.
  • Provide district/facility briefs and support standardized dashboards/metrics to measure performance.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, supporting consistent interpretation, application, and compliance across the business unit.

Emergency / Storm Response:
  • Participate in storm/outage and emergency response activities as assigned, providing field safety leadership during extended operations

Qualifications:

Required:
  • Bachelor's degree in Safety, Health, Engineering, or a related field; or demonstrated journey-level or qualified craft experience (e.g., lineworker, substation, meter, or similar field roles), with a minimum of 5-7 years of progressive utility or energy-related experience.
  • Experience supporting field operations within the electric utility, energy, or industrial infrastructure sectors, including exposure to multiple work environments such as construction, operations, maintenance, or switching/energized systems activities.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply SMS principles in field-based operations and influence without direct authority.
  • Working knowledge of electrical hazard controls (energy isolation/verification, minimum approach distances, grounding/equipotential concepts) sufficient to verify direct and critical controls.
  • Strong facilitation, communication, and coaching skills across craft through leadership audiences.
  • Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Intelex, etc.

Preferred:
  • Prior field, supervisory, or technical experience in utility, generation, transmission, distribution, or comparable industrial sectors.
  • Professional certification (e.g., ASP, GSP, CSP).
  • OSHA training certification
  • Experience developing training content and/or authoring or improving standards/procedures.

Specific knowledge and experience requirements include:
  • Effective oral and written communication skills to a diverse audience (craft through executive).
  • Ability to analyze data and identify trends to drive continuous improvement in safety performance.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws/regulations affecting safety and electric utility operations.
  • Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Workforce Development/Training, and contractors.
  • Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, field-based environment and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Identify at-risk conditions and behaviors, collaborating with leaders to implement direct and critical controls that reduce exposure.

Behavioral Attributes:
  • Lead by example; model trust, integrity, and respectful engagement with the workforce.
  • Apply sound, fact-based judgment; analyze complex issues and recommend practical improvements.
  • Influence and coach others to strengthen job planning, direct and critical control execution, and learning behaviors.
  • Maintain professionalism with employees, customers, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
  • Support inclusion and accountability while reinforcing consistent expectations across business units.
  • Engage with employees and union leadership to create a culture of inclusion and teamwork.
  • Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in field environments

Working Conditions:
  • Field and office environment; regular travel across assigned districts/facilities, including occasional overnight travel as needed.
  • Must be available to work assigned storm duty, which may include evenings, holidays, and overnight travel.
  • Work requires entering operational environments including active line work areas, substations, and generation facilities; appropriate PPE required.
  • Ability to perform work duties in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, and precipitation.

Position Classification

Exempt

About FirstEnergy Corp

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. Its seven electric utility operating companies comprise the nation's fifth largest investor-owned electric system, serving 4.5 million customers within 36,100 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and its generation subsidiaries control more than 14,000 megawatts of capacity. Our Corporate Vision is to become a leading regional energy provider.

FirstEnergy Corp Careers

Join the dynamic team at FirstEnergy Corp, a leading energy company where innovation, leadership, and diversity are valued. As one of the most prominent energy providers, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that empower you to shape the future of energy.

Work You’ll Do

At FirstEnergy Corp, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life through sustainable practices and smart energy solutions. Our team is at the forefront of the energy sector, driving growth and transformation in an ever-evolving industry. By joining us, you will collaborate with skilled professionals dedicated to pioneering advancements in energy technology.

Explore a World of Opportunities

Whether you're seeking an entry-level position or a more senior role, FirstEnergy Corp provides a platform for professional growth and career advancement. Our diverse range of job opportunities in engineering, customer service, IT, and business management positions us as an ideal employer for ambitious candidates ready to make a significant impact.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with FirstEnergy Corp’s internship programs. These opportunities are designed to give you hands-on experience and insights into the energy sector, enhancing your skills and preparing you for future employment. Interns at FirstEnergy Corp gain valuable industry knowledge and practical skills, making them well-prepared for full-time roles within our company.

Culture and Benefits

FirstEnergy Corp is dedicated to fostering a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. We believe in providing our employees with a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Our benefits package is comprehensive, including health, retirement plans, and continuous diversity training to ensure every team member can achieve their personal and professional goals.

Professional Development and Networking

We encourage continuous learning and development through a variety of training programs and leadership workshops. FirstEnergy Corp is committed to the professional growth of our employees, offering development programs that cater to enhancing leadership skills and expanding professional networks. Networking within the company and industry is supported and encouraged through various events and initiatives, helping you build valuable connections that can advance your career.

Join Our Team

Are you ready to make a difference? Search open positions that match your skills and interests on our Careers page. We are looking for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are eager to drive change and excel in their careers. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and get ready to join a company that values vision and hard work.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest news, insider perspectives, and career tips from FirstEnergy Corp. Subscribe to our job alert emails and never miss an opportunity to grow and excel with us. Explore the possibilities today and discover how you can contribute to the future of energy at FirstEnergy Corp. Join us in powering the future!

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Learn more about FirstEnergy Corp
Size
12,395 employees
Market Cap
$23.8 billion
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Net Income
$1 billion
Founded
1997
5 Year Trend
+0.8%
Revenue
$10.7 billion
NASDAQ
FE
* Ladders Estimates

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