Safety & Quality Co-Op - Cleveland, OH (Summer 2027)

About the Company – Celebrating 100 Years of Building Community & 100% Employee-Owned 

Higley Construction has been one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. The company surpassed 100 years in business—a century shaped by an unwavering commitment to its core values of people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since its founding in 1925, Higley Construction has partnered with clients to bring their goals and visions to life, consistently guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. 

At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time.  

As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership. 

Job Summary 

The Safety Co-Op is designed to introduce college students to office and field experiences in the commercial construction profession. The Safety Co-Op coordinates safety and health matters on several commercial construction projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations as well as Higley Construction’s corporate policies. The Co-Op rotation exposes the student to a wide array of professional interactions among management, project managers, field workers, consulting professionals, clients, and related trades, exploring the role of each within a project. Through our own Co-Op program, we are shaping the future leaders of our company. Ultimately, this program intends to enhance the Co-Op’s individual abilities by gaining on-site knowledge of how a project idea becomes a construction reality. 

The Co-Op will either be assigned to an active construction project site and/or a construction specialized department located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct jobsite safety audits to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Attend and contribute to safety meetings, walkthroughs, safety training sessions, and weekly toolbox trainings.
• Collaborate with the Superintendent to review and analyze weekly safety audit reports, identifying areas for improvement and implementing any changes needed.
• Utilize safety management software tools such as HammerTech and Microsoft Office Applications for efficient documentation and reporting of safety-related activities.
• Perform regular jobsite inspections to identify and document incidents, safety violations, and unsafe conditions.
• Attend pre-work meetings with subcontractors prior to high-risk activities.
• Update and implement policies regarding safety, health, accident prevention, first aid, and fire protection programs for numerous commercial construction projects. 
• Assist with promoting safe work practices and safe working conditions in accordance with company, Federal, State and Local regulations, and owner/contractual requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrates the ability to recognize hazardous situations and behaviors and implement corrective measures. 
• Efficiently manage and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism in high-pressure situations, ensuring consistent performance and effective problem-solving.
• Possesses the ability to be proactive, curious, and eager to learn and participate.
• Ability to work independently, with direction and supervision, and in team environment.
• Has excellent interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills. 

Education and Qualifications:  

• Enrolled and actively pursuing a college or university accredited degree program in Safety Management, Occupational Safety & Health, or related field of study.
• Desire to work in construction management and to learn about the safety industry.

Drug and Alcohol Screening Requirement

As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is classified as safety-sensitive as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. Responsibilities include climbing ladders, working on scaffolding, driving motor vehicles, and walking on roofs or other surfaces commonly found in a construction site environment.

Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from office, jobsites, meetings, client locations, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It also may require climbing ladders and scaffolding, riding in mobile elevated work platforms at heights of up to 80 feet, and entering and working in confined or tight spaces. It involves remaining in a stationary position—standing or sitting—for extended periods, as well as frequent movement between tasks or worksites, including walking on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The position requires lifting or adjusting objects, including weights ranging from 30 to 50 pounds without difficulty, as well as performing repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, or fingers. Use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, and materials is frequent, and tasks may involve operating spray test equipment, construction site tools, power tools, machinery, and heavy equipment. Employees must be able to wear fall protection gear and respiratory protection.

Environmental Conditions: Work may take place in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to high and low temperatures, inclement weather such as rain, wind, and snow, and getting wet during specific tasks. The role may also involve working in dusty environments, areas with extreme noise, poor ventilation, and small or enclosed spaces. In some instances, no adverse environmental conditions are expected. 

This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.

Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.

E-Verify Participation

Higley Construction participates in E-Verify. If hired, the employer will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States of America. 

Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. All recruitment inquiries, agency communications, and any agreements must be directed exclusively to our Human Resources department. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing, and we will treat all unsolicited resumes as the property of Higley Construction.