Collections Safety Specialist

Position Summary

The Collections Safety Specialist provides safety leadership and support for the company’s collection operations, with a primary focus on driver safety, commercial vehicle operations, regulatory compliance, and fleet-related risk. This position partners closely with Safety and Operations leadership to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety programs designed to prevent injuries and vehicle incidents, reduce operational risk, and build a strong safety culture across multiple locations.

The Collections Safety Specialist serves as a hands-on, field-based safety partner supporting drivers, frontline leaders, and operations teams under the direction of the Fleet Safety Manager. Approximately 80–90% of the role is expected to be spent in field operations and operating locations, observing driver and vehicle activity, identifying hazards and unsafe practices, coaching employees and supervisors, investigating incidents, and ensuring corrective actions are effectively implemented.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Conduct frequent field and route observations, including observation of driving practices, backing, vehicle positioning, pedestrian interaction, vehicle inspections, yard operations, and other collection activities to identify hazards and opportunities for coaching and risk reduction.
• Conduct and support investigations of vehicle accidents, employee injuries, near misses, property damage, and high-potential events; participate in root-cause analysis and the development and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Track, analyze, and report assigned safety performance indicators, including vehicle accidents and incidents, preventability, near misses, driver safety observations, training completion, telematics indicators, and corrective action status; identify recurring issues and escalate emerging risks.
• Support compliance with applicable commercial vehicle safety requirements, company policies, driver qualification and licensing requirements, and required vehicle and safety documentation.
• Support BIT inspections, audits, and regulatory readiness and assist Operations in identifying and resolving vehicle and driver compliance issues.
• Utilize GPS, telematics, camera systems, and other available safety data to identify driving risks, recurring trends, and opportunities for targeted field observation, coaching, and corrective action.
• Track and follow up on corrective and preventive actions identified through investigations, inspections, audits, driver observations, and safety reviews to verify timely completion and effectiveness.
• Provide hands-on coaching and feedback to drivers, supervisors, and managers regarding safe driving practices, vehicle operation, route hazards, backing, pedestrian interaction, and other collection-related safety risks.
• Conduct and support new-driver safety orientation, driver safety training, refresher training, toolbox talks, and other assigned fleet safety training for employees and supervisors.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety leadership to address safety risks associated with commercial vehicle operations, route conditions, vehicle condition, yards, equipment, and employee/vehicle interaction.
• Participate in Safety Committee meetings, safety campaigns, operational safety meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Research and apply applicable fleet and occupational safety requirements and company safety standards to collection operations and assist with maintaining required safety documentation and records.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of fleet and commercial motor vehicle safety principles and regulatory requirements applicable to collection, transportation, logistics, or similar commercial fleet operations.
• Strong hazard recognition and risk-assessment skills, with the ability to evaluate driver, vehicle, route, yard, and operational risks and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Knowledge of vehicle accident investigation, preventability assessment, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action management.
• Understanding of commercial driver licensing, vehicle inspection, driver qualification, and related fleet compliance requirements.
• Ability to conduct effective route observations, driver safety observations, facility and yard inspections, and safety audits.
• Ability to interpret GPS, telematics, camera, and other fleet safety information to identify trends and support targeted coaching and corrective action.
• Strong coaching and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with drivers, frontline employees, supervisors, managers, and technical personnel.
• Ability to deliver driver safety training, toolbox talks, and other safety training in a practical and engaging manner.
• Ability to organize and follow multiple corrective actions and safety initiatives through completion across multiple locations.
• Strong written communication, documentation, and basic data-analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently in active collection and fleet environments while maintaining effective partnerships with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety leadership.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of safety, driver training, fleet compliance, or closely related operational safety experience in waste collection, transportation, logistics, or another commercial fleet environment.
• Experience conducting vehicle accident investigations, driver safety observations, compliance reviews, hazard assessments, or corrective-action follow-up.
• Experience supporting commercial vehicle operations and working directly with drivers and frontline operations teams strongly preferred.
• OSHA 30-Hour training or equivalent safety training preferred.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Transportation, Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Safety or fleet-related certification such as ASP, OHST, CHST, CDS, or equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly between assigned GreenWaste facilities and operating locations; Class A or B commercial driver's license preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety, telematics, and fleet management/reporting systems.

Language Skill

• Proficiency in English required.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods while driving between sites or performing in-office tasks.
• Regular onsite and field activities requiring walking, standing, entering and exiting vehicles, and navigating yards, shops, collection areas, and other operating environments.
• Must be able to safely move through areas with uneven surfaces, noise, dust, traffic, vehicle and equipment movement, and varying indoor and outdoor conditions.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment while conducting field observations, audits, inspections, training, and incident reviews.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
• Regular travel between GreenWaste locations and operating areas throughout California, including frequent travel within Northern California.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in active collection operations, including routes, yards, shops, and other field operating environments. Approximately 80–90% of working time is expected to be spent in the field across assigned GreenWaste locations and operating areas. The typical work week is Monday through Friday but may include early mornings, weekday evenings, or weekends as operational or incident-response needs require. Regular travel throughout assigned California operations, including frequent Northern California travel, is required.

Work Environment:

Typical work week is Monday through Friday. May include occasional work on weekday evenings or weekends as needed. Work will include travel throughout GreenWaste’s facilities, primarily located in Northern California. Ability to work in setting where time constraints and timely communication with management is crucial.

Compensation and Benefits:

Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience. GreenWaste offers a competitive benefits package, including paid time off, holiday pay, 401K benefits, FSA, and full employee coverage for medical, dental and vision insurance.

This Organization participates in E-Verify.

GreenWaste provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.