Safety Coordinator
Port Otago Group’s business comprises a regional container terminal, bulk port activities, cruise and property investment and development. We service South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, working with customers to streamline their supply chains. Our culture is hands-on, safety focused and encourages continuous improvement.
Our diverse portfolio means there is always something on the go and as a business we are collaborative, fast-paced and always open.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Safety Coordinator to join our People & Safety team on a permanent full-time basis in our award-winning Head Office in beautiful Port Chalmers. From container and bulk operations to cruise ships and marine activity, meaning no two days are the same. You’ll play a key support role in keeping our safety systems, processes and people on track
Reporting to the Safety Manager, you’ll support our wider team to focus on safe work practices which keep our people safe. Key responsibilities include:
- Moderating incident reports and critical control checks, and supporting investigations
- Tracking and closing out safety actions
- Undertaking inspections, audits and Visible Safety Leadership (VSL) activities, and supporting our Health & Safety Representative (HSR) inspection programme
- Completing contractor and PCBU pre-qualification assessments
- Preparing Health & Safety and Runaka meeting packs and taking minutes
- Supporting safe systems of work (JSAs and Permit to Work) and use of our Safety Management System
- Supporting the team with reporting, SharePoint, SOPs and improvement projects
This varied role blends time on site with behind-the-scenes coordination. It’s a great opportunity to learn from an experienced Safety team across a busy 24/7 port.
About you
You’ll be a highly organised, approachable team player who takes pride in getting the details right and enjoys juggling a variety of tasks. You’ll build strong relationships across the Port – from marine crews, machinery operators and maintenance teams through to office-based teams and management.
To be successful in this position you will also:
· Have some health and safety experience, such as being a Health & Safety Representative or an administrator in an operational environment where safety was part of your role
· Ideally hold the New Zealand Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3 or Level 4)
· Have strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport at all levels
· Bring sound judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach
· Be able to work autonomously and manage competing priorities
· Have strong organisational and computer skills, with great attention to detail
What’s in it for you?
In return, you can look forward to working for a successful company which prides itself on continually striving to improve performance; this enables our people to contribute in a way that makes a difference, and for us to appropriately reward our people for their contributions.
You will also be entitled to comprehensive health insurance cover for you, your partner, and any dependent children, as well as a 7% employer superannuation contribution.
We also offer a raft of other benefits including but not limited to, free onsite parking, amazing Otago Harbour views from your desk, fruit boxes delivered weekly to our break areas, Nespresso machines onsite for your daily coffee fix, full uniform provided, and various wellness initiatives throughout the year.
A contribution towards relocation costs to Dunedin is also on offer for our successful candidate if you are relocating from outside of Dunedin.
Heads up:
· This is typically a Monday to Friday position, but as the Port operates 24/7, some flexibility is occasionally required
· A full clean NZ Drivers licence is essential
· You must be able to pass Ministry of Justice, ACC checks and a medical which includes a drug and alcohol test as part of our recruitment process
· We complete random drug and alcohol testing
How do I apply?
If you have any questions about the role, please contact us at people@portotago.co.nz. Or if you’re ready to apply, applications need to be submitted online via our Port Otago Careers page www.portotago.co.nz/careers. Please ensure that you include a cover letter and a copy of your up-to-date CV along with your application. If you’re based outside of Dunedin, please tell us in your cover letter what’s drawing you to Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Applications close: 5pm, Monday 2 November 2026. Don’t delay applying as we will be shortlisting as applications come through.
