Construction Safety Specialist

PPPL is operated by Princeton University for the US Department of Energy (DOE). PPPL seeks an experienced, field-based Field Construction Safety Specialist for the Environmental, Safety, & Health (ES&H) team to support its high-impact science and infrastructure projects. This position serves as a key member of the ES&H, Construction & Project Safety Division team and will provide valuable assistance to Princeton Plasma Integration Center (PPIC), National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) Recovery, and other future projects being designed by PPPL Projects Management Office (PMO) and Facilities and Site Services. This role helps ensure worker safety while enabling world-class scientific advancements through proactive risk mitigation and boots-on-the-ground safety engagement. This is a benefits-eligible position with access to Princeton University’s employee wellness, retirement, and professional development programs.

The successful candidate must proactively apply Integrated Safety Management System principles on field construction sites at PPPL while working with internal and external project teams. This position is expected to foster a proactive safety culture by prioritizing risk mitigation, hazard recognition, safety observations, and open communication. The role includes providing clear, consistent feedback to help projects proceed safely and efficiently.

The Construction Safety Specialist will support lab-wide safety initiatives. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to project and construction line management, enabling full implementation of the Laboratory’s ES&H programs and contributing to the success of PPPL’s scientific mission.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, world-renowned research institution and further its work to strengthen our ES&H construction and project safety programs and expertise, develop innovative and efficient solutions to foster line management stewardship of ES&H, and promote a healthy work and safety culture for PPPL.

This role operates predominantly in the field, year-round and in all weather conditions, providing hands-on construction safety oversight across PPPL’s high-profile projects. The successful candidate will directly engage with construction crews, contractors, and internal stakeholders to verify controls, identify emerging hazards, and coach safe work practices in real time. Maintaining a collaborative relationship with the Construction & Project Safety Team, the Project Management Team, subcontractors, and other stakeholders is essential, and this will be achieved through the proactive, boots-on-the-ground application of Integrated Safety Management principles. As a construction safety Subject Matter Expert, this role will assist the team by:

1. Observe and document field work to confirm safety controls are implemented and hazards are mitigated.
2. Identify changing site conditions and take prompt action to prevent incidents.
3. Collaborate with project teams and subcontractors to develop effective, compliant hazard controls.
4. Mentor workers and reinforce site-specific safe work expectations.

A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us!

Core Duties: 

Assist managers, supervisors, and workers in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities for safely completing the projects in accordance with PPPL and regulatory requirements.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a construction safety SME providing daily field oversight for multiple active job sites.
• Proactively monitor field conditions for emerging or evolving hazards and intervene with a pause or stop work authority when control measures are ineffective or absent.
• Lead or support the development and review of Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and project-specific safety procedures to ensure accurate hazard identification and control implementation.
• Perform routine pre-job and pre-shift safety inspections of active work zones to validate readiness and safe operating conditions.
• Facilitate or support daily safety briefings and toolbox talks to ensure workers are fully informed of relevant hazards, mitigation strategies, and task-specific expectations.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert in identifying and recommending practical, compliant solutions to complex construction safety challenges.
• Identify and escalate potential safety concerns early to support timely resolution by project and safety teams.
• Exercise authority to stop work in unsafe conditions in accordance with Laboratory policy.
• Evaluate new or modified work procedures for safety compliance and emerging risk factors.
• Support collection, analysis, and reporting of field safety metrics and incident data in coordination with project teams and ES&H staff.
• Conduct field exposure assessments, including air monitoring, noise dosimetry, and heat stress evaluations in support of regulatory compliance and worker protection.
• Collaborate closely with industrial hygiene, health physics/radiological control technicians, and environmental staff on integrated work activities.

Education and Experience: 

• High School diploma is required with 10 years or more of direct experience serving as a safety specialist in the heavy construction, power generation, or Department of Energy research laboratory complex, or
• Associate degree from an accredited college or equivalent in a related field of study with 8 years or more of direct experience serving as a safety specialist in the heavy construction, or power generation industries, or Department of Energy research laboratory complex, or
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or equivalent in Occupational Health & Safety or a related field of study with 5 years or more of direct experience serving as a safety specialist in the heavy construction, or power generation industries, or Department of Energy research laboratory complex.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong understanding of and experience with OSHA 1910 and 1926 requirements in a construction setting. Experience with 10 CFR 851 is a plus.
• Demonstrated application of OSHA 1926 Subparts C through R.
• In-depth experience with core physical and chemical hazards such as excavation, confined space, hazardous energy control, elevated work, rigging and material handling, noise, and respiratory hazards.
• Experience with formal work planning and permitting systems preferred.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with supervisors, co-workers, and front-line workers.
• Ability to prepare technical procedures.
• Experience working with multi-trade workforces such as steelworkers, carpenters, mechanical technicians/laborers, electricians, plumbers, riggers, etc.
• General understanding of industrial hygiene sampling procedures and principles.
• Proficient in standard office computer applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam and construction management software (i.e., PROCORE).
• Experience with working around or with radiological materials/areas and infrastructure demolition is preferred.

Certificates and Licenses: 

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification (must be obtained within the last 10 years). More recent certification is preferred due to evolving regulatory practices.
• Credentials such as STS-C, CIH, CHST, CHMM, or ASP/CSP are highly preferred.
• OSHA 510 certification preferred.
• A government issued, REAL ID compliant, Photo ID is required for access to PPPL.
• This position does not require a DOE Q-Clearance.
• This position requires the candidate to be able to pass a background check for site access.

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to perform physically demanding work which includes bending, crawling, and lifting up to 50 pounds without medical restrictions.
• Work may require standing for long periods of time.
• Work may be performed near static magnetic fields.
• Must be capable of climbing ladders and working at heights from scaffolding, platforms, and powered aerial lifts without medical restrictions.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment to include respiratory protection without medical restrictions.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and walk around the facility (approximately a few miles per day).

Working Conditions: 

• This position is full-time, on-site and will not have any direct reports. Field work is expected 12 months out of the year in all weather conditions.
• Regular hours are construction project dependent (generally 6:30am to 3:30pm). With notice, schedule flexibility (e.g., 5 am to 2 pm, or 7 am to 4 pm), shift work (1:30 pm till 10 pm), and some weekends will be required.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.