Position Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Site Manager and the Site Manager, the Aquaculture Technician - Skipper is responsible for performing daily site tasks safely along with other crew members in relation to barge operations, fish husbandry, and site maintenance.
Cermaq is an international salmon farming company, which prides itself on playing a leadership role in the global sector. We have a team of more than 3500 employees across Chile, Canada and Norway. A committed team that is proud to grow nutritious seafood for a competitive global market. At Cermaq, you become part of a meaningful and consistently developing workplace. We offer a wide range of job opportunities, where you will be able to grow and learn in a rapidly advancing and dynamic sector. We support our employees’ personal development and make it possible for you to realize new ideas and initiatives. Our culture is informal and dedicated, we care for each other, for the environment and for our communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure personal and crew safety, following established safety protocols and procedures.
- Operate vessels and tow equipment; maintain vessel safety standards, monitor weather, and transport staff to and from sites (Skipper-specific duties).
- Conduct anchor line removal and re-attachment; assist with site setup, maintenance, and decommissioning.
- Follow biosecurity protocols and ensure proper use of biosecurity products.
- Handle feeding operations, including feed delivery, storage, sampling, and feeding practices.
- Perform fish health checks, weight sampling, and escape prevention/response, including recapture.
- Execute mort collection procedures and classifications.
- Carry out containment and system inspections; manage machinery maintenance for cages, barges, feed, and aeration systems.
- Collect and monitor environmental data; clean and install cameras and sensors.
- Coordinate water, fuel, and smolt deliveries.
- Operate capstans, radios, and other equipment safely and efficiently.
- Support harvest and treatment preparation using seines/corklines.
- Safely handle knives and tools required for day-to-day activities.
- Maintain clean and organized living quarters and work areas.
- Interact with wildlife appropriately and follow planning protocols.
- Ensure full adherence to and compliance with all procedures and policies established by the Cermaq group of companies
- Understand and adhere to government regulations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), Workplace NL and Company biosecurity rules and practices.
- Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to problem solve and multi-task.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Computer proficiency.
- Must be comfortable working on and around water, sometimes in challenging sea conditions.
- Valid Class 5 driver's license
Training, Education, and Experience
- Prefer Aquaculture Certificate or Diploma from accredited program or science based degree in Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources, Biology, Marine Biology or Fisheries Resource Management.
- 3 years related or industrial work experience
- Fishing Masters Fourth Class (FM4) required.
Working Conditions
Position Location: Sea Sites, Placentia Bay, NL.
Working Conditions: Outdoors, Wet/cold sea environment.
Work Schedule: Rotational schedule: 8 days on, 6 days off. 40-hour work week.
Schedule Requirements: Overtime may be requested.
Physical Requirements: Involves a combination of sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, kneeling, and lifting materials or equipment up to 50 lbs.
Travel Requirements: Frequent travel by boat to sea sites.
Work-life balance: Encouraged and promoted.
Personal Suitability
Initiative, effective interpersonal skills, flexibility, accuracy, team player, excellent oral communication, logical thinking, reliability, and organization.
As part of our commitment to employment excellence, Cermaq offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Cermaq is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity in its workplace. Candidates requiring accommodation are invited to provide us with this request at any time during the recruitment process.
If you feel that you have the skills, ability, and interest in joining our growing team, please submit your application.
Job Type: Full-time
Licence/Certification:
- FM4 Certification (required)
Work Location: In person
