HSQE Compliance Officer - Health, Safety and Environmental

This job description describes the minimum job requirements. This description is illustrative and does not imply that the functions outlined below are the exclusive standards of this position. Incumbents will be expected to follow additional instructions and perform other related duties as required.

Purpose of the Position:

Responsible for the oversight of health, safety, quality and environmental matters, for a defined group of US flag vessels operated by OSG Ship Management, Inc., working in coordination with HSQE staff and the Operations department. Maintain high standards of HSQE awareness on board assigned vessels and throughout the organization, including promoting employee participation in measures aimed at preventing incidents. Provide organizational expertise related to health and safety and environmental regulations, standards and best practices.

Core Job Functions:

General HSQE Functions

• Liaise with the DPA in the monitoring of all health, safety, quality and environmental matters associated with assigned vessels, including verification of prevention activities.
• Ensure that the Management System is implemented and maintained onboard assigned vessels in accordance with requirements.
• Review incidents and near misses reported by assigned vessels, and conduct incident investigations, including generation of recommendations for corrective and preventive action. Liaise with vessel officers and Superintendents to ensure the effective implementation of identified corrective and preventive actions has been carried out.
• Draft HSQE related correspondence to fleet for communicating lessons learned.
• Perform vessel visits, including riding of vessels as needed, to provide support to the Master in the implementation of HSQE initiatives, as well as the identification and correction of latent conditions.
• Review all on-board drills, inspections and safety meetings, of assigned vessels, to ensure they are conducted in accordance with the MS and regulatory requirements. Liaise with Superintendents and Masters on any areas requiring follow up action.
• Participate as required in work groups developed to identify methods and best practices required to address compliance with developing regulations.
• Participate as a member of the Emergency Response Team, as required.
• Perform the duties of Deputy DPA or Deputy CSO, as assigned.
• Communicate and work with regulatory agencies, customers, vendors, and industry groups with respect to health, safety, quality and environmental matters.
• Participate in the development and/or revision of MS procedures to achieve effective guidelines, as required
• Represent OSG in a professional manner to provide reliable, safe and environmentally sound service to all customers.
• Perform all other duties assigned by a supervisor or manager.

Health & Safety Functions

• Irrespective of other responsibilities, the HSQE Compliance Officer - Health & Safety, working in liaison with the DPA, shall be responsible for ensuring that processes needed for the health and safety of personnel on board all vessels are established, implemented and maintained in accordance with the requirements of Management System.
• Manage annual fleet benzene monitoring requirements and liaise with Marine Labor Relations to ensure compliance with fit testing and respiratory protection requirements.
• Participate in the oversight of internal and external safety recognition programs and ensure vessel efforts, contributions and performance are duly recognized (Jones Devlin Awards, etc.).
• The incumbent shall report to the DPA on the safety performance of the fleet, including related objectives and targets, and any need for improvement.
• Oversee the standardization of medical supplies, AED's and Medical Advisory Services for the fleet. Provide support to vessels and other HSQE Compliance Officers as needed in the management of medical supplies and related equipment.
• Liaise with DPA and Operations to standardize PPE and other safety equipment being supplied to vessels to ensure fleet wide consistency and proper training in the use of equipment.
• Ensure vessels are equipped with an appropriate library of Material Safety Data Sheets including updates.
• Assist the DPA in managing the Management of Change process by periodically reviewing and following up on approved MoC's to ensure they receive the required attention and remain effective.

Quality Functions

• Ascertain that the Annual Internal & External audit plan for assigned vessels is carried out without delays that will affect vessel's certification.
• Conduct internal audits both ashore and onboard vessels as needed and, when required, conduct pre-audits to prepare the vessel's crew for external audits. Participate in the actual audit process as an observer or auditor, as needed, to maintain auditing skills.
• Review internal audit reports of assigned vessels and notify responsible functions, Fleet Manager and Superintendent of audit findings, and any identified deficiencies that require further action and rectification. Evaluate CARs of assigned vessels to ensure their validity and that corrective & preventive action(s) are identified to eliminate the cause of the actual detected nonconformity or observation.
• Ascertain that close out of CARs for assigned vessels is carried out based on objective evidence provided by the vessel staff or office staff to ensure that these satisfy the identified corrective and preventive actions.

Environmental Functions

• Working in liaison with the DPA, shall have responsibility and authority to ensure that processes needed for the environmental management system are established, implemented and maintained in accordance with the requirements of ISO14001, and/or ABS Guide for MHSQEE Management.
• Provide guidance and support to assigned vessels in the handling, storage and disposal of waste streams generated on board, including proper record keeping. Ensure compliance measures are being achieved and action is being taken to address identified nonconformities.
• Ensure assigned vessels are complying with all pollution prevention requirements of various international, federal, state, and local agencies.
• Participate in the annual review and revision of Environmental objectives and targets, including monitoring the implementation of same on assigned vessels.
• Review monthly environmental reports from assigned vessels for accuracy.

Core Competencies:

• Maritime or Coast Guard Academy graduate with Bachelor's degree in marine field preferred, or equivalent experience required.
• Three to five years of experience in the maritime industry required, with two years of practical workplace experience in SQE management activities preferred.
• Seagoing experience with time sailing as Second Mate or higher on tank vessels preferred.
• Good understanding of both technical and operational aspects of tank vessel operations.
• Knowledge and understanding of American Bureau of Shipping, United States Coast Guard and international regulations and protocols relating to company vessels required.
• Experience and/or training in safety and environmental management practices for the marine transportation industry required.
• Knowledge and practical understanding of ISM Code, ISO 9001 & ISO14001.
• Certified training as an auditor of SQE management systems, with practical experience as an SQE auditor, preferred.
• Marine incident investigation and root cause analysis training, with practical experience in performing incident investigations, preferred.
• Company Security Officer Certification preferred.
• Strong computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office products required.

Significant Factors:

• Strong, clear and concise technical writing and verbal communication skills with a wide variety of audiences.
• Independent, highly motivated self-starter.
• Highly developed skills associated with prioritization, organization and attention to detail.
• High level of analytical skill and process management ability.
• Ability to adapt well to changing priorities and situations without a loss of effectiveness.
• Ability to drive long distances (up to 5 hours) and/or travel by air to various US ports possibly requiring overnight stays.
• Ability to board vessels in port (requires using a gangway or accommodation ladder with a grade of 30-55 degrees).
• Ability to climb ladders and navigate over uneven surfaces during vessel visits.
• Ability to board vessels at anchor (climb a Jacob's ladder from a water taxi).
• Ability to enter and inspect confined spaces Possess good sensory perception (sight, smell, hearing, touch).
• Willingness to remain accessible for communication and consultation on an around the clock basis and work unusual hours, including nights and weekends as required.