Vessel Operations Assistant – Research Vessels NZ

About the role

Join the Research Vessels New Zealand team as a Vessel Operations Assistant, supporting offshore scientific missions in the Ross Sea and beyond. You will ensure smooth vessel turnarounds, manage essential supplies, and help the crew stay equipped for demanding research voyages.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with daily vessel operations, including stocktaking of consumables, preparation of port call plans, and coordination of crew changes.
• Coordinate purchase, collection, and delivery of deck stores and voyage‑specific requirements.
• Manage procurement, issuance, and inventory of crew protective clothing and uniforms.
• Order, distribute, document, and arrange disposal of medical supplies, handling expired items appropriately.
• Provide administrative support for equipment servicing, scheduling maintenance appointments and processing repair paperwork.
• Maintain a clean driving record to support regular delivery and pickup tasks.
• Perform general administration, filing, and other reasonable requests from the Senior Operations Team.

Required profile

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to perform regular manual handling duties, including lifting, carrying, and navigating stairs and gangways safely.
• Full, clean driver’s licence with a safe driving record.
• Adaptability to a changing environment and willingness to take ownership of tasks from initiation to completion.

Required skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Full, clean driver’s licence and safe driving record.

What we offer

• Varied, challenging work supporting world‑class environmental research at sea.
• Opportunities for professional development within a high‑performing organisation.
• Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits.