Cook - Vessels - Earth Sciences

Science New Zealand Inc; Wellington; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlements

Employee development

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) invites a Ship's Cook to join the crew aboard RV Kaharoa II. This live-in role covers galley operations, meal planning, provisioning, inventory, and food safety, reporting to the Master.

You will ensure nutritious meals for crew and scientists, maintain hygiene, manage budgets, and support vessel operations during voyages. Experience at sea and recognized culinary qualifications are essential.

Qualifications

• Sea-going experience on vessels.
• MNZ Ships Cook Certificate or formal culinary qualification.
• STCW Basic Training.
• Well organised, team player.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals for crew, scientists, and participants.
• Develop and adapt menus for voyage requirements, schedules, and dietary needs.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, and quality assurance, with proper records.
• Maintain cleanliness of galley, mess areas, storage, and facilities.
• Manage provisioning: ordering, receiving, stocktaking, inventory, stock rotation.
• Monitor victualling expenditure and manage consumables within budget.
• Deliver onboard hospitality and accommodation services for wellbeing at sea.
• Support Master and vessel operations and participate in safety activities.
• Contribute to crew environment and undertake other duties as required.

Skills

Sea going experience on vessels

Well organised

Team player

Education

MNZ Ships Cook Certificate

Formal culinary qualification

STCW Basic Training

Job description

Job / Position Specific Summary

Looking for an adventure that combines your culinary skills with life at sea? Join the crew of RV Kaharoa II as Ship's Cook and support marine science and research voyages across New Zealand and beyond. In this unique live-in role, you'll be responsible for all galley operations, including meal planning, food preparation, provisioning, inventory management, and food safety. You'll also help maintain onboard hospitality standards, ensuring crew, scientists, and voyage participants are well-fed, comfortable, and ready to perform at their best. Reporting to the Master, you'll be an integral part of a close-knit crew, contributing to both wellbeing and voyage success. This role suits an organised, adaptable professional who enjoys working independently and is comfortable spending extended periods at sea. This position sits within Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ), a subsidiary of Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious, high-quality meals for crew, scientists, and voyage participants.
• Develop and adapt menus to meet voyage requirements, operational schedules, and dietary needs.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and quality assurance standards, including maintaining required records.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across the galley, mess areas, food storage spaces, and associated facilities.
• Manage provisioning activities, including ordering, receiving, stocktaking, inventory control, and stock rotation.
• Monitor victualling expenditure and manage food, catering, and accommodation consumables within budget.
• Deliver onboard hospitality and accommodation services that support the comfort and wellbeing of personnel at sea.
• Participate in vessel safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance activities, including meetings, drills, and toolbox talks.
• Support the Master and vessel operations by contributing positively to the crew environment and undertaking other duties as required.

You’ll Bring The Following

• Sea going experience on vessels
• Well organised, team Player
• MNZ Ships Cook Certificate / Formal culinary qualification
• STCW Basic Training

Desirable

• Experience in the maritime, engineering, or other regulated industries.
• Knowledge of maritime regulatory frameworks and document management systems.

What we offer

• Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science.
• A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
• Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits

About Us

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is a subsidiary of Earth Sciences New Zealand. RVNZ owns and operates a fleet of three research vessels from Wellington Port that provide world‑class environmental monitoring and research platforms. Our busy onshore team is based at Earth Sciences New Zealand Greta Point site in Wellington and provides full operational support to ensure all vessel, crew and voyage requirements are met. Earth Sciences New Zealand is a new entity created from the merger of NIWA and GNS. We’re proud of our contribution to science and innovation in Aotearoa and you’ll be part of a collaborative and purpose‑driven organisation where your work has impact. To deliver the science needed to achieve meaningful change, we are committed to providing the best for our people, strengthening domestic and international collaborations, partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, leveraging advanced technologies, and investing wisely in essential assets and infrastructure. We also uphold our environmental responsibilities and maintain a strong focus on financial sustainability, ensuring our work continues to make a lasting difference. We don't expect perfection in our candidates - if you think you have what it takes, but don't meet every point in the position description,