Job Title: Project Safety Advisor - Data Center ConstructionJob Description
The Project Safety Advisor serves as the primary field safety resource for large-scale, ground-up data center and hyperscale construction projects. This onsite role in San Jose, CA focuses on proactively identifying hazards, influencing contractor behavior, leading incident investigations, and driving a culture of safety excellence across multiple stakeholders, including general contractors, subcontractors, and lease partners.
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary onsite safety resource for data center and hyperscale construction projects, with a strong field presence throughout the workday.
Conduct daily field observations and hazard identification on active construction sites, performing a minimum of three observations per day or per site visit.
Immediately stop unsafe work when conditions warrant, regardless of schedule or cost pressures, and ensure corrective actions are implemented before work resumes.
Monitor high-risk activities such as energized electrical work, lockout/tagout activities, crane lifts, confined space entries, and commissioning phases to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.
Verify contractor compliance with safety requirements and tiered safety programs, including client-specific Tier 1 safety requirements.
Lead and participate in incident investigations using established root cause analysis methodologies, including the 5 Whys technique.
Document incident findings clearly, develop practical corrective actions, and track implementation through to closure.
Identify systemic safety trends from incidents and observations, and recommend program-level improvements to reduce risk and prevent recurrence.
Collaborate closely with general contractors and lease partners to align on safety expectations, standards, and best practices.
Escalate safety concerns to leadership in a timely and professional manner while maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all stakeholders.
Participate in weekly construction coordination meetings, monthly lease partner meetings, and dedicated PSA safety meetings to represent safety priorities and updates.
Manage conflict between teams professionally, holding all parties accountable to safety requirements and project commitments.
Conduct field safety audits that focus on the quality and depth of hazard identification rather than just the number of observations.
Complete weekly safety reports with accurate, detailed, and actionable content that can be used by project leadership for decision-making.
Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards, including NFPA 70E, and verify that lockout/tagout procedures are properly implemented and followed.
Support safety oversight in phased turnover environments where construction activities overlap with ongoing operations, ensuring safe interfaces between construction and operational teams.
Follow a consistent daily rhythm that includes arriving onsite prior to the general contractor's all-hands and stretch-and-flex sessions, participating as needed in daily site safety meetings, attending scheduled coordination meetings, conducting site walks, documenting observations, completing inspection reports, and attending general contractor safety meetings.
Contribute to building and sustaining a strong safety culture across the project by coaching, influencing, and engaging field teams at all levels.
Essential Skills
At least 10 years of progressive safety experience, preferably in construction environments.
Demonstrated program-level safety leadership experience, with the ability to influence safety performance across multiple contractors and stakeholders.
Expert-level experience in incident investigations, including the use of root cause analysis methodologies such as the 5 Whys.
Proven capability in driving systemic safety improvements based on trends, data, and lessons learned.
Subject matter expertise in electrical safety standards, including practical application in the field.
Experience leading safety for hyperscale and data center construction projects or similarly complex, high-risk environments.
Executive-level communication and influence skills, with the ability to present safety issues, trends, and recommendations clearly to senior leadership.
Strong field presence and hands-on approach to hazard identification, risk assessment, and corrective action implementation.
Ability to manage conflict and hold diverse teams accountable while maintaining professional and collaborative relationships.
Proficiency in preparing clear, accurate, and actionable safety reports and documentation.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Extensive experience working on ground-up construction projects, ideally in large, complex environments.
Comfort working within tiered safety programs and client-specific safety requirements.
Strong facilitation skills for participating in and contributing to daily site safety meetings, coordination meetings, and general contractor safety sessions.
Ability to operate effectively in phased turnover environments where construction and operations overlap.
Strong observational skills with a focus on identifying both immediate hazards and underlying systemic issues.
Organizational skills to manage multiple site walks, audits, meetings, and reporting responsibilities within a standard workweek.
Work Environment
This role is fully onsite at a data center construction project in San Jose, CA, within an assigned workspace on a ground-up construction site. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, averaging 40 hours per week, with the potential for up to 10 additional hours as needed. The work environment is field-oriented and requires frequent site walks, participation in daily safety meetings, coordination sessions, and general contractor safety meetings. The position involves regular exposure to active construction areas, high-risk activities, and phased turnover conditions where construction may overlap with operational environments. The Project Safety Advisor uses standard communication and productivity tools, including a cellphone, laptop, mouse, and headset, which are provided by the supplier, along with full personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for a construction site. The culture emphasizes strong collaboration with general contractors, subcontractors, and lease partners, with a shared commitment to safety excellence and continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Santa Clara, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90.00 - $120.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Clara,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
