APM Terminals
The HSSE Permit Controller Lead oversees the full lifecycle of high-risk work permits in an active terminal construction environment, acting as the central authority for ensuring all activities are properly planned, risk-assessed, and authorized before execution. This role manages the Permit to Work Office, coordinates simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), and ensures strict adherence to APM Terminals standards, OSHA regulations, and project-specific HSSE requirements. As a field-facing, execution-driven position, it requires close collaboration with contractors, supervisors, and operations teams to ensure permits are accurate, compliant, and continuously validated throughout the duration of the work.
APM Terminals Elizabeth has secured a lease extension through 2062 with the Port of New York and New Jersey, enabling significant long-term investments to expand capacity, improve transport efficiency, and support economic growth. The initiative includes major upgrades such as terminal layout optimization, electrification of cargo-handling equipment, and modernization of wharf and berth infrastructure, aligning with the Port Authority's Port Master Plan 2050 and anticipated cargo growth. Additionally, the terminal is expected to receive funding through the Clean Ports Program Grant, requiring active management to ensure compliance and successful execution of these large-scale development projects.
Key Responsibilities:- Own and manage the Permit to Work (PTW) system across all construction activities within the project
- Review, validate, and authorize high-risk work permits including hot work, confined space entry, work at height, lifting operations, LOTO, excavation, and SIMOPS
- Conduct pre-job reviews and field verifications to ensure controls are implemented effectively prior to work authorization
- Maintain oversight of simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), ensuring safe coordination of overlapping work activities
- Operate the on-site Permit to Work Office, maintaining permit registers, tracking systems, and documentation compliance
- Partner with contractors, supervisors, and operations teams to ensure adherence to APM Terminals standards and regulatory requirements
- Perform field audits, spot checks, and intervene to stop or suspend unsafe work when necessary
What We Are Looking For:- Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a strong mindset of continuous improvement - someone who is naturally curious, committed to solving problems at the root, and driven to make things better every day
- 3-10 years of HSSE experience in construction, industrial, or infrastructure environments, with direct involvement in Permit to Work systems
- Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, safe systems of work, and high-risk activity controls in operational environments
- Demonstrated ability to review and validate risk assessments (JHA/TRA), method statements, and lift plans
- Confident communicator with the ability to engage contractors and enforce compliance, including stopping unsafe work when required
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related field preferred, with relevant OSHA certifications (e.g., OSHA 30, Confined Space, LOTO) considered an advantage
Location: Elizabeth, NJ
Salary: $95K - $120K
Schedule Type: M - F (7 am - 3 pm)
Notice to applicants applying to positions in the United States
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
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