Safety and Compliance Manager
Northern Plains Railroad & Rail Services
Legal
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Posted on Jul 29, 2025
About the Role:
Northern Plains Services, Inc. is seeking a dedicated and experienced Safety & Compliance Manager to lead our safety initiatives across multiple job sites. This role is pivotal in fostering a proactive safety culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement in workplace safety. As a key member of the Safety & Compliance Team, you will work closely with field staff, project managers, and leadership to implement safety programs, conduct training, and perform audits that support our mission of achieving zero injuries and incidents.
Minimum Qualifications:
- OSHA 30 certification and First Aid/CPR/AED credentials.
- 10+ years of experience in construction, manufacturing, or industrial safety.
- Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record per NPRS insurance eligibility.
- experience in construction, railroad or similar industry.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety standards.
Preferred Qualifications:
- OSHA Subject matter expert with proven experience maintaining OSHA logs (300, 300A & 301), training records, inspection reports and incident documentation.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), CHST, or equivalent certification.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver safety training programs.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement safety programs aligned with OSHA and company policies.
- Conduct job site inspections, audits, and safety observations.
- Lead incident investigations and root cause analyses.
- Deliver safety training, toolbox talks, and job briefings.
- Maintain accurate safety records and compliance documentation.
Pre-Employment:
- Must pass pre-employment drug screening.
- Must submit background check.
- Must provide positive employer references.
Skills:
The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and relationship-builder, capable of engaging employees at all levels to promote a culture of safety. You should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-state environment. Strong planning, leadership, and training skills are essential, along with a commitment to continuous learning in safety practices and emergency preparedness.
Please see below for full Job Description
Company: Northern Plains Services, Inc.
Business Unit: NPS
Department: Safety & Compliance
Schedule: Varies. Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. On call as needed for accident & injury investigations.
Travel: Multi-state; up to 40% depending on project needs. Mixture of day and overnight travel.
Summary:
The Safety & Compliance Manager is responsible for leading safety efforts across Northern Plains Services, Inc. to achieve zero injuries and accidents. This individual works alongside the Safety & Compliance Team and is a key safety leader who educates employees on safe best practices, ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, and helps build and maintain safety culture.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities but are not limited to:
- Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, procedures, and programs in compliance with OSHA standards and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date safety records, including OSHA logs (300, 300A, 301), training records, inspection reports, and incident documentation. Coordinate with HR and Department Managers to gather required incident information.
- Stay current with changes in OSHA standards, industry best practices, and other safety-related requirements to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
- Conduct regular inspections, audits, and risk assessments to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
- Collaborate with project managers to assess risks associated with construction activities and develop mitigation strategies.
- Deliver and coordinate safety training for new and existing employees.
- Participate in Safety Culture Team Committee meetings and other internal safety initiatives.
- Assist in conducting and documenting OSHA-required training across departments.
- Facilitate, document, and ensure all employees receive the company’s required and site-specific safety training.
- Conduct safety meetings and briefings; lead job safety briefings and toolbox talks.
- Promote and foster a culture of safety awareness at all levels of the company.
- Perform root cause analyses and incident investigations, identifying rule violations and corrective actions.
- Issue alerts for unsafe conditions or safety events.
- Manage multiple safety compliance platforms.
- Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Safety.
Competencies:
To perform this job successfully an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this role. The ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative, and long-term relationships with employees at all levels: upper management, and external partners—including vendors and customers—is critical to fostering a proactive and effective safety culture.
- Proven experience in a safety leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety standards.
- Passing knowledge of MSHA and various local and federal safety laws.
- Experience with multi-state WSI programs and workers’ compensation management, preferred.
- Familiarity with North Dakota Safety Council.
- Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment while also being self-motivated.
- Strong planning, communication, and classroom-style training skills.
- Participation in continued education focused on safety practices, operational procedures, and emergency preparedness.
- Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record per NPRS insurance eligibility.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands listed below:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform on uneven or slippery surfaces, platforms, ladders, equipment in all weather and temperature conditions. Most of the day could be spent on feet standing. Eye/hand coordination, hand/feet dexterity and grasping hand tools, materials & equipment is required. The employee is frequently required to perform manual labor & physical activities that require considerable use of the whole body, such as standing and lifting from various levels.
- Work regularly on uneven terrain, ladders, platforms, and in extreme weather conditions.
- Manual labor may include standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs), and use of hand tools.
- Eye/hand coordination and full-body mobility required for inspections and training.
- Additional physical demands are listed in the chart below.
Environmental:
- Continuous: Use of appropriate PPE (hard hats, safety glasses, footwear, hearing protection).
- Frequent: Outdoor exposure to extreme weather.
- Occasional: Exposure to moving machinery and construction equipment.
- Rare: Dust or airborne particles.
Education and Training:
- Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: Occupational Safety and Health, Industrial or Environmental Safety, Risk Management, Emergency Management or equivalent work experience preferred.
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in construction, manufacturing or industrial safety preferred, rail construction experience a plus but not a requirement.
- OSHA 30 certification required: Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent preferred.
- First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
- Experience developing and implementing comprehensive orientation and training programs.
Requirements of Joining Our Team:
Our comprehensive pre-employment process ensures the well-being and integrity of our team. To join our organization, candidates are required to:
1. Pass a mandatory drug test to maintain a drug-free workplace. Random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing may also be required throughout employment.
2. Undergo a thorough physical examination to ensure the requirements of the position can be met.
3. Provide professional references to validate qualifications and character.
4. Complete a comprehensive background check to confirm suitability for the position.
We value transparency and the safety of our employees and customers, and these steps are essential in upholding our commitment to excellence.
LIFT 2 - Physical Demands Checklist
* Never (N) = Not at all * Rarely (R) = 1-5% * Occasionally (O) = 6-33% * Frequently (F) = 34-66% * Continuously (C) = 67-100%
LIFT 2 - Physical Demands Checklist
* Never (N) = Not at all * Rarely (R) = 1-5% * Occasionally (O) = 6-33% * Frequently (F) = 34-66% * Continuously (C) = 67-100%
TASKS | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Sitting |
|
| X |
|
|
|
|
Standing |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Walking Distance: 600 ft |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Bending/Stooping: 2 min |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Sitting while twisting & reaching above shoulder level |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Crawling 10 ft |
| X |
|
|
|
|
|
Squatting: 10 reps |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Climbing Stairs: YMCA Step Test |
|
| X |
|
| X | NOT Pass or Fail |
Climbing Ladder: 30 rungs |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Balancing CTSIB-M test |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Reaching- Forward |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching- Overhead arm’s length |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Reaching Low Level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Static Push/Pull: Static push force 50# at shoulder level |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Push/Pull: 90# force at waist level, simulate throw a switch |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Shoveling |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Grip Strength min. 50# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Gross & Fine coordination |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Lift / Carry |
|
|
|
|
|
| Floor to Waist & Bilateral Carry |
<10# |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
11-24 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
25-34 # |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
35-50 # |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Lift 50 # Waist to Crown |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working around moving machinery, parts & equipment |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Working outside & extreme weather conditions |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to heat /humidity |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Exposure to cold |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Using power equipment |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Slippery surfaces |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Noise |
|
|
| X |
| X |
|
Works with others, alone, paperwork |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Dust, Smoke, Odors, Fumes, Grease, Oil |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
TASKS continued | N 0% | R 1-5% | O 6-33% | F 34-66% | C 67-100% | Essential | Comments |
Hearing |
|
|
|
| X | X | Hearing acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs OSHA |
Speech |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Vision acuity-MEC/Medical Examiner's Certificate DOT vs FRA-DOT vs Standard |
Standard Vision |
|
|
|
| X | X | Standard Vision-Snellen/Ishihara/Perimetry |
Works at heights |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Electrical hazards |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Uneven surfaces |
|
|
|
| X | X |
|
Inhalation Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Cramped quarters |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Hazardous Material |
| X |
|
|
| X |
|
Chemical Exposure |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
Vibration |
|
| X |
|
| X |
|
This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned. This Job Description may change at any time as declared by Management.
NPRS is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected under local, state, or federal statute, ordinance, or regulation. NPRS is a tradename used by Northern Plains Railroad, Inc. (NPR), Northern Plains Services, Inc. (NPS), and All Rail, Inc. (All Rail).
