Senior Safety/ Health SpecialistLocation: Peoria, IL (on-site with regular time on the plant floor)
Employment type: Full-time. On call as needed.
Salary grade: SG22 (average starting range $75,000 - $92,000)
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, additional voluntary benefits (accident insurance, critical illness, and employee, spouse, and child whole life), flexible spending account (healthcare and dependent daycare), long-term disability, and participation in employee assistance program (EAP).
Paid Time Off - Generous vacation, sick leave, personal, and holidays
Retirement Plans - 401(k) with company match. Eligible: 1st of the month following date of hire or immediate if date of hire is first of the month.
Career Growth - Opportunities for advancement and continuous learning.
Position Overview
The Senior Safety Specialist is a senior member of the Health & Safety team, leading safety programs, audits, and training across plant operations. This role partners directly with operations leadership to reduce incidents and build a strong, sustainable safety culture in a unionized steel mill environment.
This is a visible, floor-based role that requires the credibility and communication skills to influence behavior at every level of the organization, from hourly employees to plant leadership.
Core Responsibilities
Safety Program Leadership
- Lead implementation and continuous improvement of plant safety programs (lockout/tagout, confined space, fall protection, hot work, and others)
- Conduct safety audits, job hazard analyses, and incident investigations
- Track and analyze safety metrics, identifying trends and recommending corrective actions
- Ensure compliance with OSHA and other applicable regulatory requirements
Training & Culture
- Develop and deliver safety training for employees and supervisors
- Partner with supervisors to reinforce safety expectations and coach on hazard recognition
- Support new employee safety onboarding
Incident Management
- Lead or support investigations of injuries, near misses, and property damage incidents
- Maintain accurate incident documentation and regulatory reporting (OSHA 300 logs and others)
- Partner with Labor Relations on safety-related disciplinary matters
Qualifications
Candidates interested in this role should have the following qualifications:
- Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, or related field preferred
- Experience in a unionized environment
- BCSP Safety certifications
- Required
- High School Diploma with 5+ years experience in a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment; steel industry
- Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards
- Strong communication and coaching skills across all levels of the organization
Success In This
Role
Success in this role requires a credible, visible safety presence who builds trust with the hourly workforce and union leadership alike. The Senior Safety Specialist must balance regulatory rigor with practical, floor-level coaching, and be willing to have direct conversations when safety expectations aren't being met.
