Job Description
**THIS POSITION IS ON-SITE AND ONLY OPEN TO UNITED STATES CITIZENS WHO CAN OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL (TWIC) AND DOCK BADGE*** Position Summary
The Port Safety Officer is responsible for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of all safety, health, environmental, and regulatory compliance programs within assigned port operations. This position serves as the primary safety authority for all maritime labor personnel assigned to docks, terminals, shipyards, warehouses, and waterfront facilities.
The Port Safety Officer ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, maritime, and client-specific safety requirements while actively mitigating workplace hazards, reducing injury exposure, and supporting compliance with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (USL&H). The position works closely with clients, field employees, insurance carriers, and management to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
This role requires frequent presence in operational areas and a proactive approach to hazard identification, incident prevention, employee training, and safety culture development.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
Safety Program Administration - Develop, implement, and maintain safety programs applicable to maritime and port operations.
- Ensure compliance with all company, client, federal, state, and local safety requirements.
- Conduct routine safety inspections of docks, terminals, warehouses, vessel operations, and support facilities.
- Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain safety records, logs, and documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitor safety performance metrics and prepare reports for management review.
Maritime Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Maritime Standards, including:
- 29 CFR 1915 Shipyard Employment
- 29 CFR 1917 Marine Terminals
- 29 CFR 1918 Longshoring
- 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards
- Maintain familiarity with:
- USL&H requirements
- Maritime Employer Liability exposures
- Port Authority regulations
- U.S. Coast Guard requirements
- Client-specific safety programs
- Assist management in maintaining compliance with insurance carrier loss-control recommendations.
USL&H Exposure Management
- Monitor operations involving maritime employment and waterfront activities.
- Assist in identifying work activities subject to USL&H coverage under the situs and status tests.
- Participate in insurance audits and exposure reporting.
- Support proper classification and documentation of maritime labor activities.
- Coordinate with insurance representatives and loss-control consultants regarding maritime exposures and claims prevention.
Field Safety Oversight - Conduct daily field visits to active job sites.
- Perform safety observations and behavior-based safety assessments.
- Verify compliance with;
- PPE requirements
- Fall protection requirements
- Lockout/Tagout procedures
- Respiratory Protection Programs
- Hot work requirements
- Rigging and lifting operations
- Forklift and heavy equipment operations
- Stop work when imminent danger conditions exist.
Training & Employee Development
- Conduct new hire safety orientations.
- Deliver recurring safety training and toolbox talks.
- Develop and maintain site-specific safety training materials.
- Ensure employee certifications remain current, including:
- TWIC Credentials
- OSHA Training
- First Aid/CPR
- Confined Space Entry
- Forklift Certifications
- Rigging and Signal Person Certifications
- Fall Protection Training
- Maintain comprehensive training records and audit documentation.
Incident Investigation & Claims Management - Respond to workplace accidents and incidents.
- Conduct investigations to determine root causes and corrective actions.
- Prepare incident reports and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate post-incident activities with management, HR, insurance carriers, and medical providers.
- Participate in return-to-work and injury management programs.
- Track corrective actions through completion.
Client & Regulatory Relations - Serve as a safety liaison between the company and clients.
- Participate in client safety meetings and audits.
- Assist clients with safety-related concerns involving assigned personnel.
- Represent the company during regulatory inspections and compliance reviews.
- Maintain professional working relationships with regulatory agencies and industry partners.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum of 4–7 years of experience in Occupational Safety, Environmental Heath, Maritime Operations or related field preferred.
Experience - Minimum of 3–5 years of safety experience in one or more of the following:
- Port Operations
- Maritime Operations
- Shipyard Operations
- Heavy Industrial Operations
- Experience with USL&H-covered operations strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Thorough understanding of OSHA regulations and maritime safety standards.
- Working knowledge of USL&H coverage and maritime liability exposures.
- Strong investigative and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and training abilities.
- Ability to identify hazards and implement practical corrective actions.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and safety reporting software.
- Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail
- Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as operationally required
- Must demonstrate the company Mission Statement in all job functions and day to day activities by providing an exceptional customer experience
- Must possess a high level of integrity and strives to always do the right thing
- Must demonstrate loyalty to the company, our clients, and our co-workers
- Must provide high quality services and strive for excellence in all we do
- Must demonstrate a high level of care and go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional customer experience
- Must be teamwork driven and can work well with others toward a common vision
- Must demonstrate good attendance and appropriate general hygiene and dress
- Excellent computer skills required
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent
- Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but involved written or oral instructions
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Port Safety Officer job.
- Ability to walk job sites, docks, and operational areas regularly
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds as needed
- Capable of working in a dynamic, physically active environment
- Frequently required to sit, walk, use hands to manipulate, and reach with hands and arms
Required Credentials Prior to assignment, the employee must possess or obtain:
- Valid Driver's License
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Port Security Badge(s), as required
- Ability to pass client-required background screenings and drug testing
- Eligibility to access restricted maritime facilities and federally regulated port environments
Work Environment This role operates within a port environment requiring frequent interaction with field personnel, clients, and operational teams. Exposure to outdoor conditions, variable weather, and active maritime operations is expected. This position operates in active port, terminal, and waterfront environments, including exposure to:
- Vessel operations and cargo handling areas
- Heavy equipment and industrial activity
- Outdoor weather conditions and variable terrain
TEL Staffing & HR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a firm commitment to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
We prohibit discrimination and harassment in all aspects of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
As a federal contractor, TEL Staffing & HR takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. All employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination, are made in accordance with these principles and in full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
TEL Staffing & HR provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants and employees with sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship or direct threat as defined by law. Applicants requiring accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources.
In compliance with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations, applicants and employees may request to review portions of the Company’s Affirmative Action Plans for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans during normal business hours by contacting Human Resources.
E-Verify Participation Notice TEL Staffing & HR participates in the E-Verify program and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, TEL Staffing & HR will provide you with written instructions and an opportunity to contact the appropriate government agency before taking any adverse action.
Background Check Disclosure Consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, TEL Staffing & HR may obtain a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report in connection with your application for employment and, if hired, during the course of your employment where permitted by law. These reports may include information regarding your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living, including, where applicable, criminal history, employment verification, and education verification.
Any such report will be obtained only with your prior written authorization, and you will be provided with a standalone disclosure and authorization form as required by law. In the event that information contained in a consumer report is used as a basis for an adverse employment decision, you will be provided with all legally required notices, including a copy of the report and a summary of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Work at office, Local area, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Early shift