This job is posted on behalf of Butler Recruitment Group by Top Echelon.
Safety Manager
Location: Joliet, IL (Covers Chicago Area Commercial Jobsites)
Salary: $95,000 – $125,000 + Annual Bonus
About Us
We are a stable, growing union subcontractor (carpentry, drywall, interiors) based in Joliet, IL, serving commercial jobsites across the Chicago area since 2013. We are looking for a hands-on Safety Manager to build a best-in-class safety culture where crews and foremen take real ownership of jobsite safety.
The Role
You will lead the charge in reducing soft-tissue and material-handling injuries through proactive planning, equipment upgrades, and coaching. We don’t just want a "clipboard cop" who enforces rules—we need a safety leader with field credibility who can partner with our union crews and make our company known as a safety leader with General Contractors.
What You’ll Do
- Investigate & Document: Run thorough root-cause investigations (witness statements, photos, corrective actions) for incidents and near misses. Maintain OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 logs.
- Report: Write clear, factual, and defensible incident reports and monthly safety reports for executive leadership.
- Field Leadership: Spend most of your week on active jobsites auditing safety, coaching foremen, and building respect with union crews.
- Manage Claims: Work directly with insurance carriers on workers' comp claims and lead our light-duty / return-to-work program.
- Track in Procore: Manage all safety reporting (inspections, toolbox talks, pre-task plans, near misses) seamlessly using Procore.
- Drive Results: Implement injury prevention programs (ergonomics, stretch-and-flex, pre-task plans) to actively drive down TRIR, DART, and EMR.
What You Bring
- Experience: 5+ years in construction safety, with at least 3 years responsible for field crews. Subcontractor or trade experience (carpentry, drywall, interiors) is strongly preferred.
- Proven Track Record: Demonstrable before-and-after numbers showing injury reduction (especially for strains/sprains).
- Certifications: OSHA 30 Construction and First Aid/CPR/AED required.
- Tech-Savvy: Hands-on experience with Procore is a must.
- Communication: Exceptional factual report writing and root-cause investigation skills.
- Bonus Skills: Bilingual (English/Spanish), OSHA 500, CHST/ASP/CSP, and experience with GC prequalification platforms (ISNetworld, Avetta, Highwire).
What Success Looks Like
- 90 Days: Audit active jobsites, review historical incident patterns, and present a targeted injury prevention plan to leadership.
- 6 Months: Standardize daily pre-task plans, launch a near-miss reporting program, and train foremen to confidently lead toolbox talks.
- 12 Months: Achieve a significant reduction in recordable injuries, trend EMR downward, and position our safety program as a selling point in bids.
What We Offer
- Compensation: $95,000 – $125,000 base salary + annual bonus
- PTO: 15 days
- Equipment: Company vehicle, laptop, and phone provided
- Support: Complete backing and funding from executive leadership to build your program
- Timeline: Immediate start date available