Position Summary:

The HSSQE Field Safety & Quality Manager serves as the company's field representative for Health, Safety, Security, Quality, and Environmental (HSSQE) performance across the greater New York / New Jersey area. This position partners directly with local leadership to improve safety culture, strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance operational readiness, and verify the effective implementation of corporate HSSQE standards.

The specialist spends the majority of their time in the field conducting vessel visits, operational observations, audits, coaching leaders, investigating incidents, identifying trends, and ensuring corrective actions are effectively implemented. This role is both collaborative and hands-on, serving as a trusted advisor while holding operations accountable for maintaining safe, compliant, and high-quality operations.

This role will participate in conducting audits and inspections across the NYC Ferry and Statue City Cruises, business units, which will require travel between Jersey City, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

The ideal candidate is a respected maritime professional who enjoys being in the field, building relationships, and helping operations succeed. They are equally comfortable climbing aboard a vessel, coaching a captain, conducting a compliance audit, investigating an incident, or presenting findings to senior leadership. They balance accountability with collaboration and are passionate about continuously improving safety, quality, and operational performance across a diverse fleet.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Safety Leadership

• Promote a proactive safety culture through coaching and visible field engagement.
• Practice and promote Stop Work Authority.
• Focus on risk mitigation and incident reduction.
• Mentor captains, crews, managers, and supervisors on safe work practices.
• Assist operations with implementation of corporate HSSQE initiatives.
• Participate in safety meetings and operational reviews.

Quality & Compliance

• Conduct scheduled and unannounced operational inspections.
• Verify compliance with:
  • USCG regulations
  • Company policies
  • Safety Management System (where applicable)
  • Environmental requirements
  • Local operating procedures
• Evaluate operational readiness of vessels and facilities.
• Identify compliance gaps and recommend practical corrective actions.

Audits & Assessments

• Perform field audits of vessels, terminals, maintenance facilities, and operations.
• Document findings and prepare inspection reports.
• Track corrective actions through completion.
• Assist with audits and regulatory inspections.

Incident Management

• Respond to incidents as assigned.
• Participate in investigations using root cause analysis techniques.
• Assist operations with development of corrective and preventive actions.
• Identify trends and recommend systemic improvements.

Training & Coaching

• Deliver field coaching to vessel crews and shore-side personnel.
• Reinforce operational procedures and best practices.
• Assist with emergency drills and operational exercises.
• Support onboarding of new operational managers and captains.

Operational Readiness

• Conduct operational readiness assessments.
• Review emergency equipment readiness.
• Verify required documentation and certifications.
• Evaluate crew preparedness and emergency response capability.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare inspection reports with clear findings and recommendations.
• Maintain accurate records in company reporting systems.
• Monitor corrective action status.
• Identify recurring trends and emerging risks.
• Support development of leading safety metrics.

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with various departments including Operations, Engineering, Human Resources.
• Assist during regulatory inspections.
• Participate in special projects and corporate initiatives.
• Share best practices across operating companies.

Requirements & Qualifications:

Required

• Maritime Degree or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of experience in marine operations, safety, quality, or regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of USCG regulations applicable to passenger vessel operations.
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, or operational assessments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Frequent regional NYC / NJ area travel
• Ability to board vessels via gangways and ladders.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to travel by air as needed.

Preferred

• Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and / or Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• USCG Merchant Mariner Credential.
• Experience with ISO Code.
• Experience with Safety Management Systems.
• OSHA 30 or equivalent safety training.
• Internal Auditor certification.
• Incident investigation training.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations.
• Helm CONNECT software exposure.