Director of Safety

Overview

Interstate Waste Services is the most progressive and innovative provider of solid waste and recycling services in the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets with a rail-served landfill in Ohio. IWS is committed to delivering high-quality waste, recycling and environmental services, while prioritizing the safety of our employees, customers and communities. We cater to a diverse range of industrial, medical and commercial/residential customers.

Founded in 1998, IWS has grown over the years through acquisitions, many of which were family-owned businesses that remain a part of our team today. We’re proud to combine the resources of a large company with the values and care of a family-run business.

Essential

Job Summary:

The Market Safety Director is responsible for leading and driving all facets of safety in the designated market area. This role is responsible for compliance with the IWS’s Health and Safety/ Transportation Compliance Programs for our landfill, rail and short haul operations. IWS’s goal is to ensure that all programs introduced to staff members and management are communicated properly and understood to provide a safe workplace.

This position is responsible for reinforcing the safety and compliance of front-line employees. This role will report directly to the Market Area Vice President of Landfill. They will also have a dotted line responsibility to the Corporate Vice President of Safety, ensuring safety policies/ programs, standards, and tools are deployed in the market.

This position will provide strategic and operational leadership for safety programs at the APEX landfill in Amsterdam, Ohio and the company’s rail and short haul operations based in Kearny, New Jersey. The selected candidate will be a visible field leader who can balance long‑term program development with timely support for daily operating needs.

Essential Job Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.

Strategic Leadership & Program Compliance

• Develop and execute the company’s safety strategy aligned with operational goals.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in the market on safety regulations and best practices
• Interact with all levels of management to communicate site‑specific safety programs.
• Maintain a regular field presence across tipping areas, haul roads, heavy‑mobile‑equipment operations, the scale house, maintenance areas, rail‑served activities, and landfill gas and leachate support work.
• Responsible for implementing leading indicator programs, analyzing collected data to meet Market Area goals and drive proactive safety results throughout the market.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and state/ local H&S regulations/ company best practices throughout hauling, post collections, and maintenance operations.
• Develop a strong partnership with all levels of the organization, specifically Vice Presidents of Landfill, Rail and Short Haul Operations, to effectively implement safety policies/ procedures, identify trends and ensure that corrective actions are being implemented and followed up on, as needed at the market level.
• Serve as the regulatory point of contact during safety audits and inspections, as needed.
• Submit required reports to regulatory agencies.
• Lead, manage and participate in team audits of the facilities (landfill, transload facility and various short haul operations)

Training & Development

• Design and deliver safety training programs for frontline staff based on identified areas of focus as determined by available analytics and metrics.
• Manage and deliver onboard safety orientation for new hires.
• Implement monthly safety training/meetings within the…