Maritime Compliance Specialist - Safer Vessel Operations

Science New Zealand; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlements

Employee benefits

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is seeking a Compliance Officer to ensure our fleet of research vessels meets national and international maritime regulatory requirements. You will maintain compliance systems, coordinate inspections, and support operations in a dynamic maritime environment.

The role requires experience in regulated settings, strong written communication, and a proactive, collaborative approach to stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Excellent written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret regulations, policies and procedures and apply them practically.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and improving compliance systems, documentation, and processes to support safe and compliant vessel operations.
• Coordinating regulatory audits, inspections, certifications, and compliance reporting activities.
• Managing document control, ensuring records are current, secure, and audit ready.
• Monitoring changes to maritime regulations and supporting their implementation across the organisation.
• Assisting with the development and delivery of compliance-related training and awareness initiatives.
• Providing compliance and administrative support to the Operations and Engineering Managers.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen operational compliance and efficiency.
• Providing backup support for crew administration, including timesheet processing and employment documentation.
• Building effective relationships with vessel crews, shore-based staff, regulatory authorities, and certification bodies.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Documentation control

Stakeholder management

Audit coordination

Maritime knowledge

Job description

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is seeking a Compliance Officer to ensure our fleet of research vessels meets national and international maritime regulatory requirements. You will maintain compliance systems, coordinate inspections, and support operations in a dynamic maritime environment.

The role requires experience in regulated settings, strong written communication, and a proactive, collaborative approach to stakeholder management.