Sailing jobs in Vancouver, BC

Where your career meets Canada’s future

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the work we do matters. Every day, our people help connect Canada to global markets, strengthen supply chains, support sustainable growth, and shape the future of Canada’s largest port.

If you're looking for purposeful work where your contributions make a difference, you'll find it here - supported by a team that is collaborative, innovative, and committed to excellence.

Why join us

At the port authority, we’re committed to delivering an employee experience that is as rewarding as the work itself. We offer:

• Meaningful work that contributes to Canada’s trade and economic prosperity
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career growth
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Flexible programs that support employee wellbeing and work-life integration

Ensure the smooth flow of trade that supports businesses and communities across Canada. Safety, precision, teamwork, and a data-driven approach are central – your decisions have immediate, visible impact.

Build a career with purpose

If you’re looking for work that is meaningful, challenging, and connected to something bigger, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and discover how your career can help shape Canada’s future.

The Manager, Marine Operations and Assistant Harbour Master works with the Director, Marine Operations and Harbour Master and provides leadership for the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of vessel traffic within the Port of Vancouver. The role oversees marine operations, vessel traffic planning, marine operations compliance, and Active Vessel Traffic Management (AVTM) services to ensure the effective utilization of port infrastructure and the safe flow of marine trade. The position works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to support operational excellence, manage marine risk, enhance port capacity, and maintain the highest standards of safety and service delivery.

What success looks like

• Maintain a high level of supply chain, marine transportation, and port domain awareness to anticipate emerging issues, identify risks and opportunities, and proactively support operational decision-making
• Provide day-to-day marine operations leadership, including the management and administration of anchorages and lay-by berths
• Oversee the assessment and permitting of special events on the water and other short-term marine activities
• Manage the reporting and oversight of dangerous goods movements within VFPA jurisdiction.
• Participate in the implementation and enforcement of harbour operations regulations, utilizing operational marine resources
• Ensure the provision of timely advice and information related to port regulations and operations to port users and stakeholders
• Promote safe port practices and procedures and act as a key point of contact for marine operational matters
• Act as Duty Harbour Master on a rotating basis and as on-scene command in emergency response situations when required under the direction of the Emergency Operations Centre Director or the Director, Marine Operations & Harbour Master
• Maintain current knowledge of potential and planned amendments to relevant regulations and make recommendations regarding their impact on port operations
• Ensure that regulations, practices, and procedures of the port are observed
• Assist in the refinement, development, and implementation of practices and procedures relevant to marine operations within the port's jurisdiction
• Ensures marine operations and AVTM systems remain operational, resilient, and maintained, enabling the consistent delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality services to port users and stakeholders
• Provide advance planning, scheduling, and coordination of vessel traffic within the port, including the management and administration of the computerized vessel traffic management system
• Ensure and maintain a safe and orderly flow of marine traffic within established operating parameters and prioritization principles
• Maintain vessel dashboards and planning tools to provide stakeholders with sufficient lead time for vessel traffic planning
• Manage AVTM reporting requirements, including vessel transit reports, schedule changes, performance metrics, and infrastructure utilization reporting
• Ensure the AVTM service is available to port users every day of the year in collaboration with the
• Ensure the provision and effective utilization of marine infrastructure (e.g., navigation channel transit windows) to support the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic
• Ensure operational resilience of the AVTM system through business continuity planning and operational risk management to minimize impacts on port operations
• Assist in the refinement, development, and implementation of practices and procedures relevant to AVTM operations

What you bring:

• Must have extensive knowledge of the marine transportation industry, demonstrated by a minimum of two years of deep-sea sailing experience (Certificate of Competency).
• Post-secondary education relevant to the position.
• A minimum of five years of leadership or managerial related marine operations experience, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Must have computer proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Development and implementation of marine programs, services, or initiatives is considered an asset.

What we offer:

• Market-competitive base salaries and variable incentive plan
• Generous and inclusive benefits offering including retirement benefits plan
• Flexible remote work program
• Earned time off program
• Paid vacation and personal care leave
• Learning, development, and advancement opportunities
• Onsite gym with towel service in a national landmark in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront
• Friendly, unique, and respectful workplace

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Job type: Exempt, Full-Time, Permanent

Working environment: Normal office conditions with occasional exposure to harbour conditions onshore and afloat. Act as Duty Harbour Master (24/7 on call) on a rotating basis and as on-scene command in emergency response situations when required.

MARINE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CLEARANCE

The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid Marine Transportation Security Clearance as this position is required to access restricted areas/information as defined by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community. We believe our strength comes from the diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our people. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Reasonable accommodation can be provided in the selection process and while working with the port authority. If you require assistance with applying to our openings or are seeking accommodations to apply in an alternative format, please contact us through a confidential, secure inbox at accessibility@portvancouver.com. We are committed to supporting your needs and will do our best to provide the necessary assistance.