SAFETY & COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Industry: Maritime Transportation 
Department: Administrative Services / Safety & Compliance
Location: Remote, Southeastern U.S. / Western Rivers & Inland Waterways
Travel: Approximately 40%
Reports To: Vice President, Admin Services

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1940, Parker Towing Company is one of the largest barge line operators in the United States, providing marine transportation, terminal, and logistics services throughout the Southeast and along the inland waterways. In addition to our towing and barge operations, Parker Towing operates multiple ports and terminals and other industry-related businesses supporting our customers.

For more than 85 years, Parker Towing Company has built its reputation on safe and reliable operations, experienced employees, and a commitment to serving our customers. With vessel and shoreside operations across our footprint, safety and regulatory compliance remain essential to our operations.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The Safety & Compliance Manager is responsible for supporting, administering, and continuously improving Parker Towing Company’s vessel safety and regulatory compliance programs, with primary responsibility for the company’s approved Towing Safety Management System (TSMS).

This position plays a key role in developing, reviewing, maintaining, communicating, and enforcing company safety and compliance policies and procedures. The Safety & Compliance Manager works closely with vessel crews, operational leadership, Third-Party Organizations (TPOs), and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to maintain compliance with 46 CFR Subchapter M, support Certificate of Inspection (COI) requirements, address vessel deficiencies, and ensure corrective actions are completed and documented.

The position also oversees vessel audits, inspections, safety and security drills, incident investigations, corrective action processes, and related compliance documentation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Administer, maintain, and support continuous improvement of Parker Towing Company’s Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) in accordance with company requirements, 46 CFR Subchapter M, and applicable maritime regulations.
• Draft, review, revise, and maintain vessel safety and compliance policies, procedures, manuals, and related TSMS documentation.
• Evaluate existing policies and procedures for regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and consistency with actual vessel operations.
• Communicate new and revised policies to vessel personnel and operational leadership and support effective implementation throughout the fleet.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with established TSMS policies, procedures, and safety expectations, identifying deficiencies and coordinating appropriate corrective action.
• Conduct vessel safety inspections, internal audits, surveys, and compliance assessments in accordance with the TSMS and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and communicate with Third-Party Organizations (TPOs) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regarding vessel audits, surveys, inspections, certifications, and other regulatory compliance matters.
• Coordinate preparation for Certificate of Inspection (COI) inspections and support vessel leadership throughout the inspection process.
• Track deficiencies identified through USCG inspections, TPO audits and surveys, internal audits, and other compliance activities; coordinate corrective actions and required documentation through closure.
• Maintain accurate records of vessel deficiencies, corrective actions, inspection findings, audit results, and other TSMS-related compliance activities.
• Lead or support incident, accident, and marine casualty investigations, including root cause analysis, documentation, corrective action recommendations, and follow-up.
• Develop and conduct vessel safety training, drills, compliance briefings, safety alerts, and other educational programs for vessel employees.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee annual fleetwide security drills in collaboration with Parker Towing Company’s various port divisions, ensuring required documentation, participation, follow-up, and corrective actions are completed.
• Support and audit company security programs, including the AWO Alternate Security Program, as applicable.
• Conduct regular vessel visits to evaluate safe work practices, identify potential hazards or policy gaps, coach employees, and reinforce company safety and compliance expectations.
• Analyze inspection findings, audit results, incidents, deficiencies, and operational trends to identify opportunities for improvements to company policies, procedures, training, and vessel operations.
• Monitor changes to USCG regulations, Subchapter M requirements, security requirements, and other applicable maritime standards and recommend necessary changes to company policies and procedures.
• Maintain required safety and compliance documentation, including USCG reports, TSMS records, investigation reports, audit documentation, corrective action plans, security drill records, and management reports.
• Represent Parker Towing Company at USCG, TPO, industry, and other maritime safety and compliance meetings, conferences, committees, and training programs as needed.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to provide safety and compliance support during nights, weekends, emergencies, significant incidents, and regulatory matters.
• Perform other safety, compliance, and operational duties as assigned by Parker Towing Company management.

WORK EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree in safety, maritime operations, occupational health, a technical field, or related discipline preferred. Relevant maritime experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience in maritime safety, regulatory compliance, vessel operations, auditing, inspections, or a related field preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Towing Safety Management Systems (TSMS), 46 CFR Subchapter M, and applicable inland towing vessel requirements.
• Strong technical writing skills with demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, and implementing safety policies, procedures, manuals, and operational standards.
• Experience administering or supporting a safety management system, including audits, inspections, corrective actions, policy implementation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience coordinating with USCG and Third-Party Organizations (TPOs) on inspections, audits, surveys, COIs, deficiencies, and corrective actions preferred.
• Experience conducting incident investigations, root cause analyses, regulatory inspections, and corrective action processes.
• Knowledge of applicable maritime security requirements and other relevant maritime regulations; general knowledge of OSHA requirements preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate and enforce company policies and compliance expectations across vessel and shoreside operations.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple compliance priorities, build effective relationships with vessel crews and regulatory partners, and respond to time-sensitive matters.

BENEFITS

Parker Towing Company offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Competitive health insurance
• Company-paid dental insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid long-term disability insurance
• Vision insurance
• Optional supplemental coverage, including supplemental life and accident insurance
• Paid vacation and paid sick time
• 401(k) with a 6% company match on Roth and pre-tax contributions
• Profit sharing
• Eligibility for semi-annual discretionary performance-based bonuses

WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL
This position requires regular work in both office and operational environments, including aboard towing vessels and at ports, terminals, docks, and other marine facilities. The Safety & Compliance Manager must be comfortable working around active marine and industrial operations and using required personal protective equipment.

Travel is expected to be approximately 40% of the position and may include overnight travel throughout Parker Towing Company’s operating footprint. The position may also require availability outside of normal business hours to support incident response, investigations, regulatory matters, and the department’s on-call rotation.