Safety Specialist - Crystal Lake, IL
Curran Contracting
Build Your Career with Curran Contracting For over 90 years, Curran Contracting has been building the infrastructure that supports communities throughout the Midwest. As a leading heavy civil contractor, Curran self-performs site development, excavation, mass grading, underground utilities, soil modification, asphalt paving, and asphalt production, serving commercial, industrial, and government clients throughout Illinois and Indiana. Curran operates from six locations across Illinois and Indiana, including Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Island Lake, Sycamore, Oswego, and Merrillville. Our success is built on quality work, strong relationships, and our core values of Family, Respect, Partnership, Integrity, and Continuous Improvement.
Job Summary:
The Safety Specialist serves as a key field partner responsible for implementing and supporting company-wide safety programs, training, and compliance efforts. This role provides consistent on-site presence, ensuring alignment between corporate safety initiatives and daily field execution. The Safety Specialist actively reinforces the company’s safety culture, coaches employees and subcontractors, and assists in the collection and analysis of safety data to drive continuous improvement across all operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Model and promote Curran’s safety strategy, vision, and culture through consistent actions, communication, and leadership in the field.
Job Summary:
The Safety Specialist serves as a key field partner responsible for implementing and supporting company-wide safety programs, training, and compliance efforts. This role provides consistent on-site presence, ensuring alignment between corporate safety initiatives and daily field execution. The Safety Specialist actively reinforces the company’s safety culture, coaches employees and subcontractors, and assists in the collection and analysis of safety data to drive continuous improvement across all operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Model and promote Curran’s safety strategy, vision, and culture through consistent actions, communication, and leadership in the field.
- Partner with field and project teams to reinforce safe work practices and provide guidance on hazard recognition and mitigation.
- Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and observations; communicate findings and partner on corrective actions.
- Track, monitor, and analyze safety metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Manage and maintain PPE inventories and other safety-related equipment to ensure readiness and availability.
- Support the development, rollout, and maintenance of written safety and compliance programs. Recommend updates and improvements as needed.
- Deliver and assist in the creation of safety training programs, including Toolbox Talks, Safety Flashes, and other safety communications.
- Coach employees and subcontractors on safe driving behaviors and monitor driver performance data to promote best-in-class standards.
- Participate in incident investigations for Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, and Auto Liability claims, ensuring thorough documentation and follow-up.
- Support the preparation and maintenance of safety records, reports, and data systems. Collaborate with and provide guidance to Safety Interns, supporting their development and understanding of Curran’s safety expectations and standards.
Required Skills & Abilities:
- Strong understanding of general construction safety principles, OSHA standards, and industry best practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage teams at all levels.
- Skilled in conducting inspections, documenting observations, and facilitating corrective actions.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and safety management systems.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility through consistent field presence and support.
- Capable of exercising sound judgement and discretion in sensitive situations.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental Health & Safety, or related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant safety experience in the construction industry considered.
- Minimum of 2-4 years of professional experience in safety, preferably within the construction industry.
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification required within 6 months of hire, if not already obtained.
Working Conditions:
- Must be able to sit for prolonged periods both at a desk and while driving or riding in a vehicle.
- Regularly required to tour active construction sites and must comply with Curran’s safety policies, including wearing and maintaining required PPE (e.g. hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, hearing protection, safety-toe footwear).
- Exposure to varying outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, dust) is common.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs of materials, equipment, or presentation items.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to safely operate a personal or company vehicle to and from job sites, meetings, and other business purposes.
- Employees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and uphold Curran’s core values at all internal and external work-related events, as well as daily interactions and operations.
Why Join Curran?
At Curran, we believe our people are our greatest asset—and protecting them is one of our most important responsibilities. The Safety Director has the opportunity to shape how safety is led, understood, and practiced across the entire organization. This position goes beyond compliance. It is an opportunity to influence culture, develop leaders, strengthen operations, and ensure our employees return home safely every day. You'll work directly with senior leadership, field operations, project teams, and safety professionals to build upon Curran's safety programs and help shape the future of safety leadership across the company.
Benefits & Additional Compensation
At Curran, we believe our people are our greatest asset—and protecting them is one of our most important responsibilities. The Safety Director has the opportunity to shape how safety is led, understood, and practiced across the entire organization. This position goes beyond compliance. It is an opportunity to influence culture, develop leaders, strengthen operations, and ensure our employees return home safely every day. You'll work directly with senior leadership, field operations, project teams, and safety professionals to build upon Curran's safety programs and help shape the future of safety leadership across the company.
Benefits & Additional Compensation
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with up to 5% Employer Match
- Profit Sharing
- Company Incentive Bonus Program
- 13+ Days of Paid Time Off
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Leadership Development Coaching
- Ongoing Training & Professional Development
- Company Events & Team Engagement Opportunities
Working Conditions
- This is an in-person, field and office-based position headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with regular travel to active construction projects and Curran operating locations.
- Ability to sit for extended periods at a desk and while traveling in a vehicle.
- Regularly required to visit and tour active construction sites.
- Ability to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and dust.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of materials, equipment, or presentation items.
- Must comply with all Curran safety policies and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hat, safety vest, eye protection, hearing protection, and safety-toe footwear when required.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to safely operate a personal or company vehicle for jobsite visits, meetings, and other business-related activities.
- Employees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and uphold Curran's core values during daily operations and at all internal and external work-related events.
Salary range for this role is $70,000 - $85,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Guided by our values of Family, Respect, Partnership, Integrity, and Improvement, this job description provides a general overview of responsibilities. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Curran Contracting reserves the right to adjust duties, titles, and roles as necessary to support business needs. Curran Contracting Company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, citizenship status, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local employment laws or regulations in every location in which the company has facilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Guided by our values of Family, Respect, Partnership, Integrity, and Improvement, this job description provides a general overview of responsibilities. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Curran Contracting reserves the right to adjust duties, titles, and roles as necessary to support business needs. Curran Contracting Company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, citizenship status, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local employment laws or regulations in every location in which the company has facilities.