About Us
R.G. Huston is a third-generation family run construction company that has been building Southern Wisconsin's infrastructure since 1975 — heavy earthwork, underground utilities (sewer & watermain), bridges & structures, and aggregate production. We work for commercial developers, general contractors, and government agencies on projects ranging from residential site development to award-winning public infrastructure. ~250 employees, field-first culture.
Salary: $110,000/year
The Role
We're hiring a full-time Safety Director to lead safety strategy and execution across all field operations — grading/excavation, underground utilities, bridge/structure, and aggregate. This is a hands-on role: expect regular time on active jobsites across our service territory, not just a desk job. You'll report directly to ownership/senior leadership.
Location requirement: Must live within a 1-hour drive of Cottage Grove, WI (our home base). Frequent travel to jobsites throughout Southern Wisconsin is required.
What You'll Own
● Company-wide safety program strategy, policy, and enforcement across all divisions (earthwork, utilities, bridge, aggregate)
● OSHA and MSHA compliance (10/30-hour standards, competent person requirements for trenching/excavation, confined space, MSHA regulations for aggregate operations)
● Jobsite audits and inspections — field presence is expected, not occasional
● Incident investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action follow-through
● Weekly toolbox talk program oversight and content
● Annual company-wide safety training day and biennial First Aid/CPR/AED certification
● Respirator fit testing program (annual and new employees as hired)
● Certified safety equipment standards (trench shields, shoring, gas detectors, utility locators, PPE) — specs, training, and compliance
● DOT/public bid safety documentation and compliance (EMR management, safety statistics for bid qualification)
● New hire safety onboarding and ongoing crew training/certification tracking
● Direct relationships with OSHA, MSHA, and workers' comp carrier on inspections/claims
● Safety culture — building trust with crews so hazards get reported, not hidden
● Position will entail being a Salesperson, Coach, Referee, disciplinarian and Source of Compassion/Comfort.
What You Need
● Minimum 5-7 years safety management experience in heavy civil construction — earthwork, underground utilities, or bridge/structure work specifically (not commercial building/vertical construction)
● include attention to detail, strong communication skills, proactive risk management.
● include problem solving, adaptability, continuous improvement.
● Working knowledge of OSHA 1926 (construction) — trenching/excavation competent person qualified at minimum; OSHA 500/501 trainer certification a strong plus
● MSHA Part 46 experience (we run aggregate/quarry/pit operations)
● Experience with public/DOT-bid safety compliance and documentation
● Proven track record reducing EMR and lowering incident rates — be ready to talk numbers
● Comfortable on active jobsites daily — this isn't a policy-writing-only role
● Strong enough to hold the line with crews and superintendents when something's unsafe, without burning the relationship
● CHST, CSP, or equivalent certification preferred, not required if field experience is strong
● Must live within 1 hour of Cottage Grove, WI
Benefits
● Company vehicle and gas card
● Medical: Dean Health Plan. HMO employee cost$34/week; $750 (single)/$1,5000 (family) deductible.
● Dental: Delta Dental PPO/Premier, employee-only ~$1.75/week
● Life/AD&D: 200% of salary up to $100,000 max, fully employer-paid
● Disability: Short-term (66.67% of pay, up to 13 wks) and long-term (60% of pay) — both fully employer-paid
● 401(k): Safe Harbor plan, 100% match on first 5.5% deferred, 100% vested after 2 years, auto-enrollment with annual step-up
● FSA: Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts available
● Eligibility: medical/dental at 60 days, life/disability at 90 days, 401(k) at 6 months
What Sets Us Apart
● Ownership that's still active in field operations — safety concerns get heard and acted on fast, not stuck in bureaucracy
● 50 years in business, third generation family run business, strong reputation and repeat clients — this isn't a company trying to build a safety program from zero
● Award-winning project history (APWA National Small Project of the Year, ACPA Gold Award) — safety is part of how we win work, not an afterthought
Pay: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Safety Management in Heavy Civil Construction: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CHST, CSP or equivalent (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Cottage Grove, WI 53527 (Required)
Work Location: In person
