Fisheries Fleet Coordinator

Reporting to the Fisheries Operation Manager (1-Year Term Position), the Fisheries Fleet Coordinator is a logistics and vessel specialist, responsible for overseeing the vessels in use, ensuring that they are accounted for, fit for use, and safe. The Fisheries Fleet Coordinator must schedule vessel maintenance, order parts and equipment, and manage the fleet budget, also purchasing new vessels as required.

Please Note: Organization refers to the Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the fleet, including vessel management and logistics
• Set operational policies, procedures, and standards, including determination of safety procedures for the handling of equipment and supplies, ensuring compliance
• Ensure that all vessels comply with local and federal fishing regulations
• Oversee the maintenance, dispatch and service of vessels
• Oversee the vessel repair, maintenance and purchase budget, ensuring appropriate record keeping
• Maintain detailed records of vessel maintenance, inspections and fishing activities
• Coordinate schedules for fishing trips, ensuring optimal use of fleet
• Monitor the performance of the vessels and crew, prepare reports for the Fisheries Operation Manager, and plan for changes to schedules and policies, as may be required
• Detect issues, including bottlenecks, in fleet operations and report on these to Fisheries Operation Manager
• Identify and work with Fisheries Operation Manager to implement cost-saving measures related to fleet operations
• Plan and set fleet-level targets
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the fleet and management and track location of vessels, providing on-land support, addressing any issues or concerns

Position Qualification Requirements

The Fisheries Fleet Coordinator should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

Education & Experience

• Degree or diploma in Ship Engineering, Marine Studies, Logistics, or a related discipline, preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
• 5+ years’ experience as a fisheries crew member in roles with increasing responsibility
• Ship Pilot License and Master Certificate of Competency, required
• Prior experience with fleet management, operations and logistics coordination
• Valid Advanced Marine First Aid Certification, WHMIS and CPR Certification

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of fishing operations and responsibilities and expectations related roles (Captain, First Mate, Deckhand, Commercial Fisherman)
• Proficient knowledge of safety processes, policies and procedures required to effectively run a fishing vessel
• Strong knowledge of vessel engineering, marine vessel design, instrumentation, and navigation equipment
• Sound knowledge of fishing and boating laws in Nova Scotia
• Knowledge of fishing technology and equipment
• Understanding of First Nations governance, culture, values and traditions
• Knowledge of Fisheries Management Systems (FMS)

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent time management, organization, and delegation skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to effectively concentrate on multiple tasks in a busy working environment
• Strong leadership and team building skills with the ability to effectively manage a team
• Excellent problem-solving skills, especially in troubleshooting vessel-related mechanical or operational issues
• Effective written and oral communication skills for coordinating vessel operations and crew, and writing reports for senior management

Contacts (typical)

Internal: Fisheries Operation Manager, Bayside CEO, Fishing Crew (Lobster/Crab Captains, Fishermen, First Mate, Deckhand, Spares), Fisheries Assistant/FMS

External: Government agencies, suppliers, other First Nation communities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Transport Canada

Complexity

The typical difficulty of analysis, problem solving, and reasoning required to perform job related duties includes:

• Tracking fleet and vessels both inshore and offshore

Ensuring that vessels meet safety and government requirements

• Identification of bottlenecks in fleet operations, maintenance issues, and cost-saving techniques

Decision Making:

The usual types of decisions made in this role include:

• Decisions in relation to fleet and vessel scheduling
• Decisions in relation to safety precaution requirements, and policies and procedures
• Cost saving techniques

Specific types of decisions that must be referred to a supervisor include:

• All spending decisions within the fisheries budget must be approved by the Fisheries Operation Manager
• All spending decisions outside of the fisheries budget must be approved by the Bayside CEO
• Concerns of health and safety issues (outside of regular precautionary safety requirements)
• All decisions that may cause concern to the Fisheries Operation Manager, Bayside CEO or other management

Impact of Results

The typical impact of results produced by the role include:

• Health and safety of fleet as it relates to the safety of the fishing vessels
• Cost savings for the Fisheries Department as it relates to supplies, vessels and fleet
• Optimal efficiencies in relation to scheduling of fleet

Working Conditions

Physical Environment:

• Most commonly within and office environment that is comfortable, well-lit, and temperature controlled. Office equipment for use is well maintained
• May work onboard of fishing vessels which may include spending periods of time offshore; possible exposure to various inclement weather conditions. This may include overnight stays on the vessel, which may be cramped and/or uncomfortable
• When working onboard the fishing vessels, the boat will produce varying degrees of motion, which could cause motion sickness. Noise levels are medium to loud.
• May be exposed to machinery and trawl gear, which could increase risk of injury

Physical Effort:

• Can be physically demanding, involving tasks such as inspecting vessels, overseeing loading and unloading of supplies, and ensuring compliance to safety protocols.
• Required to walk, sit (for sometimes long periods), reach, bend, kneel, duck and lift (up to 75lbs)

Sensory Attention:

• Requires keen operational abilities to ensure that safety requirements are met, operations are effective and efficiency, and machinery is working properly

Mental Pressures:

• May be required to work long, sporadic hours
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage medium to large workloads and competing demands in order to avoid burnout

Other

• At times this position may be required to work extended hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or periods offshore, dependent on departmental demands
• At times this position may be required to travel within or outside of the community for role-related responsibilities, meetings, training, or workshops

Paqtnkek First Nation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including Indigenous peoples, women, and other underrepresented groups.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.