Safety Co-op at Kokosing Construction Company in Westerville

Safety Co-op

Location: Westerville, OH

Kokosing (www.kokosing.biz) is one of America's 50 largest General Contractors and services a broad spectrum of clients in both the private and public business sectors. Kokosing's services include heavy civil/industrial construction such as highways, bridges, underground utilities, water/wastewater facilities, and marine construction. For over 75 years, Kokosing has successfully attracted the most qualified technical personnel in the construction industry by offering visible challenges, superior quality, and attractive rewards. With over $2.8 billion in annual sales and a commitment to its workforce, Kokosing is the winning team.

Job Description:

The Safety Co-op will gain hands-on experience supporting project teams in promoting and maintaining a safe work environment. Working alongside experienced safety professionals and operational leaders, this position provides exposure to construction safety practices, regulatory compliance, hazard recognition, safety training, incident prevention, and project safety planning.

The ideal candidate is interested in developing a career in construction safety, eager to learn, and committed to fostering a culture where every employee goes home safely each day.

This position would be at a project or facility in our operating geography including but not limited to Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, or Maryland.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Safety Specialists and project teams with implementing company safety policies and procedures.
• Participate in project safety meetings, toolbox talks, and pre-task planning discussions.
• Conduct jobsite walkthroughs with safety and operations personnel to identify potential hazards and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with documenting safety inspections, observations, audits, and corrective actions.
• Support the development and maintenance of project safety plans, site-specific safety documentation, and training records.
• Help prepare and distribute safety communications, educational materials, and project updates.
• Observe field operations and learn how safety requirements are applied to construction, mining or plant facility activities.
• Assist with incident reporting and investigations while learning root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Support employee onboarding and orientation activities related to safety requirements and expectations.
• Collaborate with project managers, superintendents, foremen, craft professionals, subcontractors, and safety personnel to promote a positive safety culture.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with data collection related to safety performance and compliance activities.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Currently pursuing an associates or bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• All levels of students are eligible. Freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior standing
• Previous construction, industrial, manufacturing, or safety-related experience is beneficial but not required.
• A demonstrated interest in workplace safety, construction / mining / or material manufacturing, and continuous learning is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong desire to learn safety principles and construction operations in a hands-on environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with field personnel, supervisors, and project teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative, ask questions, and seek feedback.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work outdoors and in active construction environments or in plant facilities.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced project setting.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction certification is a plus but not required.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification is a plus but not required.