Lead Hand

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.  We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. 

About Us

Blue Ocean Mariculture was founded in 2009 to pursue the sustainable farming of local Hawaiian marine finfish. We are proud to be the only open ocean mariculture farm in the United States. With first-hand experience in commercial capture fisheries and understand that some farming of the oceans is necessary and inevitable.

We are the exclusive producer of Seriola rivoliana, better known by the market name Hawaiian Kanpachi, a premium sashimi-grade fish coveted by chefs at top sushi and fine dining restaurants everywhere. Hawaiian Kanpachi is raised in the clear, clean waters off Kona, Hawaii, using the most environmentally sustainable aquaculture farming methods.

Our company offers an amazing opportunity to work with a team of passionate individuals who care deeply about aquaculture, the sustainability of our oceans, and responsible fish farming. We are on a mission to promote ethical production of fish, and we're looking for people who share our values. 

Benefits We Offer

• Health Insurance Plan with 85% company-paid premiums for just you or your qualified family members.  Blue Ocean offers medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage with two different health carriers to choose from.
  
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with up to 4% company match with a plethora of self-directed investment allocations so you choose how your contributions are invested.
  
• Paid Time Off (PTO) with a starting accrual of four (4) weeks per year (160 hours), increasing at three (3) years and six (6) years of working with Blue Ocean.
• Paid Community Service Hours up to 24 hours per year through independent volunteering or with Blue Ocean group activities.
• Let's Eat Fish! allowance of up to $100 per month (you can order weekly) of Hawaiian Kanpachi in either whole fish, filets, or Kanpachi collars.

About the Role

Lead Hands assist Operations Managers in organizing and overseeing Farm Hands through the safe and successful completion of daily department duties. The Lead Hand is responsible for the day-to-day execution of tasks related to feeding, fish health, infrastructure checks & maintenance. It is the Lead Hand’s responsibility to ensure that all operating tasks are completed in a manner consistent with company policies, procedures, and Operations Manager expectations. Lead Hands are professional, organized, confident and self-motivated, with strong leadership and communication skills. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Production & Projects

• Perform tasks and functions of a Farm Hand.
• Lead daily operations assigned by Operations Manager, including production, equipment/ infrastructure maintenance, and equipment/ infrastructure installation.
• Prepare, monitor, maintain, and safely operate equipment and vessels.
• Identify & find safe solutions to production issues/bottlenecks.
• Provide input to the Operations Manager for plans and schedules. Assist in coordinating daily/weekly/monthly staffing, tasks, and priorities.
• Monitor and document inventory levels (feed, consumables, spare parts, etc.)
• Lead team achievement of delivering desired results in the operational areas of safety, fish health, production output, and cost.
• Monitor and report on department Key Performance Indicators.
• Understand and communicate department KPI to team members and help lead team to reach KPI goals. 
• Assist with accurate and timely data collection & reporting. Prepare standardized reports.
• Supervise dive operations assigned by the Operation Manager and ensure all BOM dive policies and safety procedures are being followed on the farm site.
• Communicate and help drive excellence in the feed and growth plan on the farm by working directly with the Production Manager and Lead Production Technician to actualize the feed plan and validate changes in feed protocols.
• Perform any duties assigned by the Operations Manager necessary to operate the department and maintain a safe working environment.

Team

• Consistently comply with, and monitor team’s compliance of, Company policies and procedures, including safety and biosecurity protocols.
• Train and mentor team members on daily operations, fish husbandry, maintenance, and dive operations. Develop SOPs as needed.
• Assist with developing and maintaining a high performing team, including participate in the hiring process, conduct training, and assistance with conflict resolution.
• Promote a culture of safety, integrity, and excellence.
  

What You'll Bring

Required Experience:

• At least one year experience at Blue Ocean Mariculture.
• Minimum 2 years of commercial dive experience and strong mechanical skills.
• Minimum 2 years as a captain operating large vessels in near shore or offshore waters (100 ton USCG license preferred).
  
• Prefer 2 years of experience in offshore fish farm operations.
  

Preferred Experience:

• Hold a valid driver’s license.
• Be self-motivated, independent worker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including ability to multi-task and manage paperwork.
• Have strong computer skills, including all MS Office applications.
• Have strong communications skills.
• Able to work atypical schedule, including Saturdays, Sundays & holidays.
• Be able to consistently lift 50 lbs, frequently climb 4+ feet, & work in a sunny, hot, & humid environment.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.