Title:  Marine and Safety Superintendent

Marine & Safety Superintendent

Position Description

• Senior maritime safety leadership role
• Make a real difference
• Permanent, full-time role, Wellington based

He kōrero mō mātou | About us:

At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being. 

Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard. 

He whakamārama mo te tūranga mahi | About the role:

This is a senior operational safety role with real influence across one of New Zealand’s most visible passenger ferry operations.

As Marine & Safety Superintendent, you will be a trusted maritime safety leader who works alongside Masters, bridge teams, engineers and leaders to strengthen how safety is understood, discussed and practised onboard. You will combine strong seagoing credibility with assurance expertise to move safety beyond compliance and into everyday decision‑making.

You will lead the development and implementation of Bridge Resource Management (BRM) across the fleet, champion learning from incidents, and play a key role in shaping a consistent, high‑quality safety culture across Interislander vessels.

Why this role matters

This role exists to create meaningful and lasting improvement in maritime safety performance. Success will be reflected in:

• Stronger bridge team behaviours and decision-making
• Higher quality safety conversations onboard
• Effective learning from incidents, audits and near‑misses
• Consistent application of BRM principles across the fleet

Key accountabilities

In this role you will:

• Lead and manage the internal and external ship audit and inspection programme
• Ensure the fleet maintains valid trading and statutory survey certification
• Drive timely and effective close‑out of non‑conformities, observations and corrective actions
• Lead and conduct navigational safety and incident investigations
• Act as Interislander’s BRM champion, including conducting navigational and BRM assessments
• Identify trends and learning opportunities from audits, inspections and incidents, and translate these into practical improvements onboard

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What (skills) you will bring:

Maritime experience and credibility

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Deck Officer, ideally on RoPax or passenger vessels
• Holds or has held a Deck Officer Certificate of Competency (Chief Officer or Master preferred)
• Strong operational credibility with shipboard teams and an understanding of real‑world operational pressures

Safety leadership and assurance expertise

• Demonstrated experience auditing or inspecting vessels against statutory and SMS requirements
• Experience leading or contributing to marine incident investigations
• Strong understanding of risk assessment, hierarchy of controls and effective corrective actions
• Proven ability to challenge unsafe norms respectfully and constructively

Ways of working

• Confident communicator with high levels of diplomacy and influence
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Practical, adaptable and able to operate effectively in a complex, unionised operational environment

Qualifications

• Lead Auditor training (ISM / MLC / ISPS)
• Advanced Bridge Resource Management training
• Trained incident investigator
• Ship or Company Security Officer qualification
• Risk management or risk assessment certification
• Experience using AMOS or similar maintenance systems

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% employer KiwiSaver contribution
• Professional development opportunities to help you grow and succeed

• The opportunity to leave a lasting impact on how safety is lived and experienced across the Interislander fleet
• Access to NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust benefits, including holiday homes, medical support and discounted travel

• Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to safety, sustainability and continuous improvement

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?

Rā aukati | Applications Close:  25 March 2026