Marine HSE Manager - Seattle, WA

About Foss Maritime

Foss Maritime is one of the most recognized and respected maritime brands in the U.S., combining a rich legacy with a forward-thinking approach to industry innovation. While deeply rooted in tradition, Foss is evolving at a fast pace, continuously setting new standards for operational excellence and sustainability.

With operations spanning all U.S. coasts and global transportation projects, Foss is a leader in harbor and terminal towage, tug and barge transportation, and offshore energy solutions, including traditional energy and offshore wind projects. Our primary operations are on the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii.

As part of the Saltchuk family of companies, Foss is a values-driven organization that takes pride in its exceptional team, commitment to safety, and dedication to customer success. With a culture built on integrity, innovation, and collaboration, Foss Maritime remains a trusted leader in the maritime industry.

About the Role

The Marine HSE Manager leads and executes the company's HSE program across vessel operations and supporting shore-side locations. Partnering with Operations, the role drives Subchapter M/TSMS HSE execution through risk-based field verification, JSA program ownership, crew engagement, and practical training. The Manager supports incident and near-miss investigations, translates learning into actionable safety communications, and delivers initiatives for measurable reductions in injuries and illnesses through targeted risk controls and performance trending/benchmarking. The role owns the HSE aspects of audits and inspections, including OVMSA, and ensures timely CAPA closure supported by objective evidence and verified effectiveness. Success requires strong influence, confident communication, practical problem-solving, and disciplined cross-functional follow-through.

Essential Functions:

• Lead execution of Subchapter M / TSMS HSE controls, ensuring procedures translate into consistent operational risk control.
• Support operations leadership in developing and executing regional/fleet safety plans (including facilitation/participation in safety committees as applicable).
• Represent HSQE at operations reviews and committee forums; communicate expectations, share learning, and drive follow-through on agreed actions.
• Plan and execute risk-based field verification (vessel inspections/visits, observations/coaching) and drive measurable improvement in verification outcomes (critical controls, readiness discipline).
• Facilitate vessel safety meetings and strengthen safety program reinforcement through onboard presence.
• Own and manage the JSA program and library (standards, reporting/database, periodic review/cleanup) and coach crews on effective JSA development and use.
• Support incident and near-miss investigations, ensuring strong causal analysis, practical corrective actions, and prevention of recurrence.
• Develop, distribute, and support implementation of Lessons Learned / Safety Alerts across vessels, operations, and shore-side locations.
• Lead initiatives to reduce injuries and illnesses, focusing on high-risk tasks/exposures, strengthening controls, and verifying effectiveness through field evidence, leading indicators, and lagging trend analysis.
• Maintain, analyze, and benchmark HSE performance data (leading/lagging), identify trends, recommend targeted interventions, and contribute to periodic reports/dashboards.
• Deliver practical HSE training and coaching to vessel crews and shore-side staff, including content tied to incidents, audits/inspections, and HSE campaigns.
• Own and manage all HSE aspects of audits and inspections (planning, execution support, and preparation of objective evidence) and drive timely, effective closeout of HSE-related findings with verified effectiveness.
• Conduct internal HSE audits/assessments of vessel and operational management practices (field leadership behaviors, work control quality, and safety culture execution), and drive improvement actions.
• Lead the company's OVMSA program end-to-end, including OVMSA audits and maintaining current OVMSA content in the OCIMF database.
• Participate in OVID inspections, support OVID readiness, and support verified closeout of observations and findings (including OVMSA/OVID follow-up).
• Own, manage, and drive HSE corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) governance and implementation, support closure of actions assigned to other departments, with a focus on strengthening risk barriers and verifying effectiveness.
• Coordinate closely with the Marine Quality Assurance Manager to align audit execution and CAPA closeout (MQA owns marine regulatory/compliance aspects).
• Maintain awareness of emerging maritime HSE regulations/requirements and support readiness for audits/inspections as needed.
• Monitor and verify contractor/third-party HSE compliance for work aboard vessels and at company docks/facilities (hazard controls, stop-work expectations, corrective actions).
• Support OSHA program compliance for shore-side docks/facilities (e.g., respiratory protection requirements, equipment/operator qualification documentation where applicable). Apply basic industrial hygiene concepts as needed to support crew and shore-side worker safety.
• Support shore-side environmental compliance for offices/docks/facilities, including Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) implementation and permitting compliance (as applicable), inspections, recordkeeping, and corrective-action follow-up.
• Support emergency preparedness and drill/exercise effectiveness, emphasizing critique quality, lessons learned, and follow-through on improvements.
• Support customer marine assurance and vetting-related requests by coordinating HSE evidence and ensuring timely, thorough, and consistent responses (partnering with QA for regulatory/compliance/quality evidence).
• Maintain effective working interfaces with key stakeholders (vessel crews/leaders, operations, crewing, maintenance/engineering, training/LMS, office/dock stakeholders, contractors, customers/assurance auditors, regulators/class societies).
• Acts as Alternate DPA and/or CSO during rotational coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Leadership Skills and Behaviors

• Exercises Stop Work Authority, requires immediate mitigations (pause/stand-down/interim controls) when risk is unacceptable; escalates per protocol.
• Drives HSE CAPA governance and cross-functional follow-through; requires objective evidence and effectiveness verification before closure.
• Effectively communicates HSE expectations and priorities; aligns teams to company's safety vision and objectives.
• Builds strong working relationships across mariners, operations, and stakeholders; communicates tactfully and effectively with diverse audiences to facilitate the maximum level of effort, cooperation, and output.
• Performs under pressure; prioritizes competing demands and delivers with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates integrity and professionalism; leads by example.
• Uses sound judgment and practical problem-solving; proposes workable solutions to HSE challenges.
• Applies strong analytical attention to detail to identify compliance gaps and recommend controls.
• Confident public speaker/trainer; represents the HSQE Department with internal stakeholders, and the company with customers and external parties as needed.
• Complies with all company policies, including EEO/non-discrimination/harassment requirements.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of progressive HSE experience directly supporting marine vessel operations (tug/tanker/shipping or similar).
• Proven ability to execute and sustain an HSE/SMS/TSMS program across multiple vessels and shore-side stakeholders (audits/inspections, investigations, corrective actions, training/coaching).
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional HSE results with minimal supervision.
• Experience leading incident/near-miss investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions that reduce incidents, injuries, and illnesses.
• Proficient in risk assessment and control tools (e.g., JSA, HIRA, HazID/HazOp, Bow Tie Analysis, barrier strength assessment).
• Expertise in basic industrial hygiene controls (exposure recognition; noise/chemical controls; respiratory protection interface).
• Strong working knowledge of marine operations and applicable safety regulations/standards; able to translate requirements into practical controls.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal incident investigation / root cause analysis training (or equivalent demonstrated experience leading investigations and producing effective CAPAs).
• Experience managing OVMSA submissions and audits, and maintaining OCIMF database content; participation in OVID inspections and follow-up.
• Internal auditor training/experience (ISM/TSMS/ISO); demonstrated lead auditor capability.
• DPA and/or CSO training (or able to obtain); familiarity with maritime security and ability to provide rotational DPA or CSO coverage when assigned.
• Tug and barge operational experience; strong preference for offshore oil & gas maritime safety experience (e.g. Offshore Safety Manager, Rig Safety Officer, etc.).
• Instructor certifications/ability to deliver health & safety courses such as CPR/First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and HAZWOPER.

Education / Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Marine/Nautical discipline, or related field (5-10 years of equivalent maritime experience/vocational training may be considered).
• Professional HSE certification (e.g., CSP, NEBOSH, IOSH) preferred.

Access / Eligibility / Travel Readiness

• Authorized to work in the U.S.; able to pass background and drug screening as required.
• TWIC (must possess or be able to obtain).
• Ability to participate in on-call rotation for incident response.
• Participates in rotational coverage of DPA and CSO duties when designated personnel are out of office.

Compensation:

Pay for this position will be between $109,157 to $163,736 annually based on experience.

Benefits:

• The benefit program includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• This position will accrue 15 days of vacation a year. Accrued vacation will be vested and available for use after successfully completing six (6) months of service.
• Life insurance equal to two times annual base salary.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Long term disability insurance.
• 401k program with a 4% match, vested immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Business travel assistance program.
• Other voluntary benefits are available for purchase via payroll deduction at group rates.
• Nine (9) paid holidays with two (2) additional floating holidays available after six (6) months of service.
• Full time employees will accrue ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave per year, up to a maximum of 1,040 hours.
• Bereavement Leave - three (3) paid days off for a death in the immediate family, or five (5) days off if travel greater than 500 miles is required.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• All other benefits as required by law

How to Apply

Ready to set sail with Foss? Submit your application via our careers page. If you need any assistance please reach out to fossjobs@foss.com. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Drug Free Workplace
Foss Maritime Company LLC is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Foss Maritime Company LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.