Vessel Compliance Officer – Maritime Regs & Safety

Sciene New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Challenging work

Development opportunities

Wellbeing focus

Generous leave

Job summary

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is seeking a Compliance Officer to ensure our vessels operate safely and in full regulatory compliance. You will maintain systems, coordinate inspections, manage documentation, and support operational teams in a dynamic maritime setting.

You will work with Operations and Engineering to implement changes, train staff, and ensure audit readiness, while building strong relationships with crews and regulators across national and international frameworks.

Qualifications

• Experience in a compliance, document control, or administrative support role within a regulated environment.
• Excellent written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret regulations, policies, and procedures and apply them in a practical operational setting.
• A proactive, collaborative approach with strong stakeholder relationship and communication skills.
• Experience in the maritime, engineering, or other regulated industries.
• Knowledge of maritime regulatory frameworks and document management systems.

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

Compliance

Document control

Administrative support

Written communication

Organisational skills

Stakeholder relationships

Maritime knowledge

Tools

Document management systems

Job description

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is seeking a Compliance Officer to ensure our vessels operate safely and in full regulatory compliance. You will maintain systems, coordinate inspections, manage documentation, and support operational teams in a dynamic maritime setting.

You will work with Operations and Engineering to implement changes, train staff, and ensure audit readiness, while building strong relationships with crews and regulators across national and international frameworks.