About the Company
Ocean Trout Canada Inc. is a leader in sustainable aquaculture, producing premium-quality steelhead raised in the pristine marine environments of Atlantic Canada. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation drives everything we do, from responsible farming practices to exceptional customer service. As we continue to grow, we are building a team of dedicated professionals who share our passion for excellence and our vision for the future of Canadian seafood.
Position Summary
The Health & Safety Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring workplace health and safety programs across aquaculture sites, vessels, and processing locations. This role ensures regulatory compliance with the current Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, fosters a strong safety culture, and supports operational teams in reducing risks related to marine farming, feed management, diving, vessel operation, and heavy equipment use.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety Program Development
- Develop, update, and implement site-specific Health & Safety policies, procedures, safe work practices, and emergency response plans.
- Ensure alignment with provincial/state regulations and industry standards (e.g., WorkSafeNL, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), and Transport Canada).
- Lead development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and risk assessments for aquaculture operations.
Incident & Risk Management
- Conduct regular hazard assessments and site inspections across farms, feed operations, and workboats.
- Lead incident investigations, root-cause analysis (RCA), and corrective-action planning.
- Track and analyze safety metrics, trends, and near misses to support continuous improvement.
Training & Safety Culture
- Work with third parties to deliver training programs including: WHMIS, Marine First Aid, Small Vessel Operators (SVOP), Forklift Certification, Mobile Crane Certification, Radio Operators Course, and Ice Rescue.
- Coach supervisors and crew on proactive risk reduction and safe decision-making.
- Champion a positive safety culture through engagement, communication, and recognition initiatives.
Compliance & Documentation
- Maintain all regulatory documentation, inspection records, and training logs.
- Lead and facilitate the required quarterly OHS Committee meetings and generate the official minutes for these meetings.
- Coordinate with regulators and auditors (WorkSafeNL and certification bodies).
- Support third-party certification audits for BAP aquaculture standards.
Emergency Preparedness
- Develop and lead drills for man-overboard, fire response, spill containment, diving emergencies, equipment failure, and medical emergencies.
- Ensure emergency equipment is inspected, maintained, and compliant at all sites.
Cross-Functional Support
- Work closely with site managers, feed teams, vessel crews, maintenance, and environmental and fish health departments.
- Provide safety input for new project planning, equipment purchases, and site modifications.
- Support contractor safety management and onboarding.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Diploma or degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Marine Safety, or related field.
- Minimum 2–5 years of health & safety experience; aquaculture, marine, or industrial experience is an asset.
- Professional certifications preferred: CRSP, NCSO, NEBOSH, OHS Certificate, Marine Basic First Aid, or equivalent.
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of aquaculture operations, including marine net-pen sites, feed systems, and vessel operations.
- Experience conducting incident investigations and root-cause analyses.
- Knowledge of provincial occupational safety legislation and marine safety regulations.
Other Skills
- Excellent communication and training abilities.
- Strong leadership presence and ability to influence safety behaviour.
- High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and travel frequently to marine sites.
Work Environment
- Combination of office, marine sites, workboats, and processing facilities.
- Work in varying weather conditions.
- May require on-call availability during emergencies or incident response.
Performance & Growth
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Completion and quality of Health & Safety policies, SOPs, and risk assessments.
- Effective and timely implementation of non-conformities and corrective actions.
- Accurate and complete record keeping and safety documentation.
- Maintaining strong relationships with operations leaders and site personnel to build a “safety first” mindset.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
