HSE Safety Specialist Intern

Overview: MasTec Utility Services delivers critical infrastructure construction and engineering services for power delivery, gas, and water customers, specializing in overhead and underground electric distribution for power delivery systems, gas distribution construction for gas systems, and turnkey solutions for a variety of water, sewer, and civil infrastructure projects. The HSE Safety Specialist Intern supports the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) functions of utility construction operations while developing a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety principles, regulatory compliance, hazard identification, risk management, and incident prevention.

Overview:

MasTec Utility Services delivers critical infrastructure construction and engineering services for power delivery, gas, and water customers, specializing in overhead and underground electric distribution for power delivery systems, gas distribution construction for gas systems, and turnkey solutions for a variety of water, sewer, and civil infrastructure projects. Backed by the strength of decades of experience, unrivaled industry skills, and a deep commitment to core values, MUS delivers safe, innovative, and environmentally responsible services that provide extraordinary value to clients.

 

MasTec Utility Services is a purpose-driven company. Our core values guide our strategy, performance, and culture. We believe in maintaining an environment where team members can make an impact, grow, and thrive. A place where they find meaning and purpose in doing the important work of ensuring communities have the vital energy, light, and communications to prosper. Our culture is inclusive and welcoming. Our teams are empowered with abundant training, tools, and opportunities to follow their curiosity and ambitions. Everyone has an equal chance to advance. Everyone is supported, respected, and challenged to be their best. We are always looking for talented and dedicated people to join us and love where they work.

 

Job Summary

 

The HSE Safety Specialist Intern supports the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) functions of utility construction operations while developing a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety principles, regulatory compliance, hazard identification, risk management, and incident prevention. Working alongside safety professionals, field leadership, and operations teams, the intern gains hands-on experience in safety inspections, compliance activities, training support, incident investigation processes, and safety program administration.

Through a structured internship program, the HSE Safety Specialist Intern learns the fundamentals of occupational health and safety, including OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations, hazard recognition, safety auditing, incident investigation, risk assessment methodologies, safety training, data analysis, and continuous improvement practices. The intern participates in both office and field activities to gain practical exposure to the development and implementation of workplace safety programs.

 

The HSE Safety Specialist Intern assists with safety-related activities, supports compliance and reporting efforts, and collaborates with safety and operational teams to develop technical, analytical, organizational, and communication skills. This position provides valuable industry experience and professional development opportunities while building a foundation for future careers in occupational health, safety, environmental management, and risk management.

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

 

• Participate in orientation, onboarding, safety meetings, and training activities to develop an understanding of company policies, safety expectations, and workplace safety practices.
• Learn the responsibilities of frontline safety professionals and gain exposure to the company's safety culture, programs, and operational support processes.
• Develop an understanding of OSHA, DOT, EPA, and other applicable regulatory requirements and their impact on daily operations.
• Assist with compliance documentation reviews, recordkeeping activities, and safety audit preparation under the guidance of safety personnel.
• Participate in jobsite walkthroughs and field observations to learn hazard identification techniques and safe work practices.
• Assist with safety inspections of work sites, tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery to identify deficiencies and support compliance efforts.
• Document observations, findings, and corrective action opportunities as assigned.
• Gain exposure to safety training delivery by supporting safety meetings, toolbox talks, and new hire safety orientations.
• Participate in ride-alongs and field assessments to observe driver safety evaluations and fleet safety practices.
• Learn incident reporting and investigation procedures, including root cause analysis and corrective action development.
• Assist with incident documentation, claims-related activities, and safety reporting processes as assigned.
• Gain exposure to Driver i event review processes, utility damage prevention programs, and 811 ticket management procedures.
• Learn and apply hazard analysis and risk assessment methods to evaluate work activities and identify potential safety concerns.
• Participate in safety trend analysis activities using historical safety performance data, leading indicators, and lagging indicators.
• Observe and support the development of proactive safety initiatives, risk reduction strategies, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Gain exposure to fleet operations, vehicle and equipment management, and asset maintenance practices that support safe operations.
• Participate in field visits, safety observations, accident investigations, and operational reviews to gain practical safety experience.
• Assist with developing safety communications, training materials, and safety awareness initiatives.
• Participate in structured learning experiences designed to develop knowledge of occupational safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, and professional business practices.
• Gain exposure to risk identification and mitigation strategies using tools such as hazard assessments, energy wheel concepts, and the hierarchy of controls.
• Demonstrate professionalism, strong communication skills, teamwork, attention to detail, and commitment to safety and continuous learning.
• Complete assigned internship projects, training activities, and developmental assignments within established timelines, including a capstone project and presentation.
• Perform other related duties and learning assignments as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Safety Management, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, Environmental Science, Business Management, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Interest in occupational safety, environmental compliance, risk management, and construction operations.
• Basic understanding of workplace safety principles and safe work practices.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work effectively in both office and field environments.
• Ability to learn and apply OSHA, DOT, EPA, company, and customer safety requirements.
• Ability to perform site visits and safely navigate active construction environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Safety Management, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, Environmental Science, Business Management, or a related field.
• Previous internship, co-op, summer employment, student organization involvement, or coursework related to safety, environmental compliance, construction, operations, risk management, or industrial safety.
• Exposure to OSHA regulations, safety auditing, incident investigation, environmental compliance, or risk assessment practices.
• OSHA 10 certification or willingness to obtain certification during the internship.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, reporting tools, data analysis, or safety management systems.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position operates in both professional office and active construction field environments. The intern will routinely work with safety and operations teams in office settings and visit construction sites to observe work activities, safety practices, inspections, audits, training sessions, and operational processes.

The work environment may include exposure to varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, moving equipment, vehicle traffic, elevated work areas, excavation activities, and construction noise when visiting project locations. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when visiting job sites and participating in field activities.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this internship. The position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, climb, reach, and occasionally lift or carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds. The intern must be able to safely navigate active construction sites and maintain awareness of surroundings while observing or participating in assigned activities.

 

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

MasTec Utility Services is a proud subsidiary of MasTec (NYSE: MTZ), a Fortune 500 Company ranked by Energy News-Record as one of the leading contractors in the country. MUS is part of the MasTec Power Delivery segment. We are certified as a minority-controlled company by the National Minority Suppliers Development Council (NMSDC). Our rich diversity of people and ideas makes us a stronger, more innovative organization.

 

The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law and EEOC regulations. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.