DescriptionReporting to the Environmental Manager, the Senior Environmental Specialist is the subject matter expert on environmental management and regulatory compliance for Vancouver Shipyards (VSY). This leadership role supports shipyard operations and facilities through proactive environmental management, relationship building, regulatory compliance, and continuous performance improvement. The role also oversees the VSY Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Senior Environmental Specialist supervises up to six employees, including both salaried and trades staff. The position is expected to be on site full time, and physically out in the shipyard production area or on-board vessels more than 50% of the time to provide hands‑on support to operations, trades, and facilities teams.
Note: Due to business needs, this position is required to be fully on-site at 50 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver.
What you’ll do
- Lead implementation and continual improvement of the Seaspan ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
- Provide environmental guidance to shipyard leadership, supervisors, and trades.
- Develop and deliver environmental awareness, emergency response, and role‑specific training.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory and permit requirements including NPRI, Metro Vancouver Air Permit, and provincial/regional wastewater permits.
- Maintain and update key EMS documents including response plans, SOPs, BMPs, and risk registers.
- Develop annual environmental action plans with measurable targets and leading indicators.
- Plan and conduct internal and supplier environmental compliance and EMS audits.
- Lead incident reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes.
- Report on environmental KPIs and compliance performance on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
- Communicate environmental information effectively across the workforce including toolbox talks and digital channels.
- Hire and direct consultants and on-site contractors.
- Spend more than 50% of work time within shipyard production areas, supporting operations and building strong relationships with trades, supervisors, and facilities staff.
- Supervise up to 6 direct and indirect reports, including both salaried and trades employees, ensuring oversight of daily tasks, performance, and timekeeping.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Manage safe and compliant operation of the VSY Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Prepare budgets and financial projections for WWTP operations.
- Ensures compliance with all plant‑related permit requirements.
- Coordinate safety and operational training for plant operators.
- Ensure preventive maintenance programs are executed and documented.
- Develop operational, risk, and financial performance reports.
- Source equipment and materials and manages expenditure approvals.
- Supervise direct and indirect staff and approves timekeeping.
- Identify business opportunities to increase plant utilization and revenue.
What you’ll bring
- Diploma or degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or related field; postgraduate degree or professional designation an asset.
- Minimum 7 years of environmental management experience including regulatory compliance and permitting.
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in a heavy industrial environment, preferably unionized.
- Meet requirements for Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and Secret clearance.
- Experience with environmental management systems (ISO 14001 preferred).
- Experience with industrial wastewater treatment considered an asset.
- Auditing experience (EMS or compliance) considered an asset.
- Industrial or shipyard experience an asset.
- Strong knowledge of environmental protection, waste management, and related scientific/management principles.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
- Ability to remain calm, think critically, and solve problems under pressure.
- Strong presentation and technical report writing skills.
- Exceptional relationship‑building skills and ability to work effectively with operations, leadership, and regulators.
- Knowledge of municipal, provincial, and federal environmental regulations.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong computer literacy and ability to analyze and report environmental data.
- Ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
Why you’ll love working here
- This is a full-time, permanent position. With multiple operations and long-term projects, Seaspan employees enjoy job stability as we look ahead to build ships for decades to come.
- In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan matching, this role provides you with a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience.
- We also provide the best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including things such as extended health care (i.e. paramedical services for massage therapy, speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, childcare benefit partnership, $500 personal spending account, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
- Free on-site gym.
- Parking is included and to assist those that are using transit, we operate a complimentary shuttle bus Monday through Friday with various pick up and drop off points around North Vancouver.
The estimated salary for this position is $119,700 - $146,300. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate’s skills and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.
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