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DOT Safety and FMCSA Compliance Manager

Job DescriptionJob Description

A DOT safety and FMCSA compliance manager for a trucking company is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all safety programs and procedures to ensure adherence to state and federal regulations. Their goal is to foster a culture of safety to minimize accidents, reduce risk, and protect the company's drivers, fleet, and reputation.

Duties and responsibilities

Compliance and regulatory management

  • Serve as the company's subject-matter expert on Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and state regulations.
  • Develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive safety and compliance policies and procedures.
  • Maintain and audit all Driver Qualification (DQ) files to ensure they are current and complete, including commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), medical cards, and other certifications.
  • Manage the company's drug and alcohol testing program in accordance with federal regulations, including random screenings and post-accident testing.
  • Monitor and manage the company's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores, submitting DataQ challenges as needed, and implementing corrective actions to reduce violations.
  • Conduct regular internal audits to verify compliance with safety standards and prepare for regulatory inspections.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies during audits and inspections.
  • Ensure timely filing of all necessary regulatory paperwork, such as the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

Training and education

  • Develop and conduct mandatory safety training programs for all drivers, covering topics such as Hours of Service (HOS), defensive driving, and proper cargo securement.
  • Ensure the effective onboarding of all new drivers with comprehensive safety and compliance training.
  • Provide ongoing communication and education to all employees on safety protocols and regulatory updates.

Risk and accident management

  • Lead the investigation of all fleet-related accidents, incidents, and near-misses to determine root causes and prevent recurrence.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for insurance carriers during accident investigations and claims processing.
  • Implement risk mitigation strategies based on incident analysis and performance metrics.
  • Track and report on safety performance indicators, such as accident rates, compliance levels, and trends.

Fleet maintenance oversight

  • Collaborate with the maintenance department to ensure all vehicles undergo regular inspections and preventative maintenance.
  • Verify that vehicle maintenance records are accurate and complete, per DOT requirements.
  • Monitor fleet telematics and GPS data to identify unsafe driving behaviors and coordinate with supervisors to address them.

Required skills and qualifications

  • Experience: Proven experience in a transportation safety or DOT compliance role within the trucking industry. Extensive knowledge of federal and state transportation regulations (DOT, FMCSA, OSHA).
  • Education: A Bachelor's degree in Safety Management, Logistics, Transportation, or a related field is often , but a high school diploma with significant related experience may be considered.
  • Skills:
    • Leadership and Communication: Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to train staff and promote a safety culture.
    • Analytical: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to investigate incidents and analyze safety performance data.
    • Organizational: Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills to manage extensive record-keeping and regulatory filings.
    • Technical: Proficiency with fleet management software, telematics systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Director of Safety (CDS) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) are often

Company DescriptionABOUT Santa Rita Transportation, LLC
Customers depend on Santa Rita to transport goods to the Texas Region, because they know we provide quick response, accurate ETA’s, greater cargo security, logistics planning, and electronic data interchange support. Santa Rita has the authority to serve in the following capacities: Santa Rita handles all vans, flatbeds, step-decks, and container chassis shipments.
We are a small company where everyone knows their name.Company DescriptionABOUT Santa Rita Transportation, LLC\r\nCustomers depend on Santa Rita to transport goods to the Texas Region, because they know we provide quick response, accurate ETA’s, greater cargo security, logistics planning, and electronic data interchange support. Santa Rita has the authority to serve in the following capacities: Santa Rita handles all vans, flatbeds, step-decks, and container chassis shipments. \r\nWe are a small company where everyone knows their name.

DOT Safety and FMCSA Compliance Manager

Houston, TX
Full time

Published on 09/19/2025

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