Shipyard Safety Officer

Job Purpose and Position Overview:

Snow & Company is seeking a proactive, hands-on Shipyard Safety Supervisor to help ensure our team members go home safe every day. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in the field—walking the yard, boarding vessels, and actively working alongside crews to identify hazards, correct unsafe conditions, and promote a strong safety culture. We’re looking for someone who is approachable, observant, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to build trust while ensuring safety protocols are followed. This is a hands-on role dedicated to working directly on facilities, structures, machinery, and vessels - focused on fixing safety issues in the field, not supervising or managing a team.

As a team-oriented company, we value individuals with a collaborative and innovative mindset who can integrate safety seamlessly into daily operations. This is not just a clipboard role - you’ll be actively involved in making fixes, setting up safeguards, and finding practical ways to keep our work safe and efficient. The ideal candidate is deadline-driven, detail-oriented, and committed to continuous improvement, with excellent communication skills to train, coach, and support our crews.

We’re currently involved in exciting, high-profile projects, including the construction of a dry dock, two cutting-edge electric tugboats, and an 8-year contract to build advanced workboats for the US Navy. Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and you’ll play a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly and safely.

Key Responsibilities:

- Conduct daily walk-throughs of shipyard, vessels, and work areas to identify and address potential hazards

- Work directly with tradespeople as well as independently to resolve unsafe conditions on the spot when possible

- Assist crews in setting up safe work environments, including fall protection, ventilation, and confined space entry

- Ensure compliance with OSHA, L&I, and company-specific safety regulations

- Facilitate safety meetings, toolbox talks, and training sessions

- Perform safety equipment inspections (e.g., harnesses, respirators, fire extinguishers) and ensure gear is maintained and available

- Investigate incidents and near-misses, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions

- Maintain accurate documentation of inspections, incidents, and corrective actions

- Collaborate with supervisors and project managers to integrate safety planning into daily operations

- Promote a culture of accountability and encourage teammates to speak up about safety concerns

Essential Skills:

- Proven experience in shipyard safety roles (5+ years preferred)

- Thorough knowledge of OSHA regulations, marine safety standards, and industry best practices

- Hands-on problem-solving skills with the ability to take immediate, effective action when hazards are identified

- Basic carpentry and metalworking abilities to assist in implementing safety solutions

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization

- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative approach

- Physical capability to access vessels, climb ladders, enter confined spaces, and work in varied weather conditions

- Relevant safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, Confined Space Entry) strongly preferred

- Ability to complete SCP training within 30 days of hire

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The work environment is a dynamic, fast-paced shipyard with moderate to loud noise levels due to ongoing production activities. Job duties are performed in production areas and onboard vessels and require:

- The ability to walk to and from job sites, climb inclined stairways, and use vertical ladders

- Frequent bending, squatting, crawling, twisting, standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands/fingers for various tasks

- Occasional reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crawling

- Frequent lifting of up to 20 lbs, with occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs

- The ability to work in extreme temperatures and conditions, including areas with limited ventilation

- The ability to enter and work in confined spaces, such as manholes

- The ability to work at heights

- Frequent use of a respirator

- Wearing required safety gear, including a hard hat, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing

- Regular exposure to noise from machinery and equipment

Pay and Benefits:

- $30 - $45 / hour

- Full time, overtime nonexempt position

- Overtime may be available

- Positive and supportive work environment

- 100% paid medical insurance for employees, 80% for spouses and dependents

- Comprehensive dental insurance

- Vision insurance

- Life insurance options available

- 401(k) retirement plan

- 9 paid holidays, including the day after the Super Bowl

About Snow & Company: Snow & Company is a leading boatbuilding and ship repair company located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We specialize in constructing commercial vessels for the fishing industry, government agencies, tugboat operators, aquaculture businesses, and more. In addition to vessel construction, we provide comprehensive overhauls and repair services. Our modern facilities include enclosed fabrication halls and waterfront repair spaces, all situated along the picturesque Ship Canal. Conveniently located on the Burke-Gilman Trail and just one block from the Metro bus stop, Snow & Company is a commuter-friendly workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Snow & Company, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, age, disability, or genetic information. In addition to federal laws, Snow & Company complies with all applicable state and local nondiscrimination laws.

For more information, check out our website at www.snowboatbuilding.com