Public Health Officer (Shipboard)

Department: Administration

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Reporting To: Hotel Manager

Description

The Public Health Officer at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection oversees and maintains the highest standards of sanitation and cleanliness on the yacht, which aligns with the company's Public Health policies. This role ensures guests' and employees' health and safety through rigorous sanitation practices. This Officer is independent of any shipboard departments and serves as a self-audit function to objectively assess the yacht’s ability to comply with the various laws, rules and regulations governing modern shipping. In performing their duties, the Public Health Officer will have access to every part of the yacht and must be intimately familiar with the Company’s Safety Management System, current legislation and passenger shipping technologies.

The Public Health Officer will conduct regular inspections, oversee sanitation operations, and ensure the yacht operates in accordance with the company’s Public Health, Environmental, Safety and Security policies and procedures.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Lady or Gentleman for this job. Functions, duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with the Company's Safety and Quality standards.

Essential Duties

Compliance with all aspects of the Vessel Sanitation Operation Manual, including but not limited to:

• Potable water
• Swimming Pools and Whirlpool Spas operation
• Food safety
• Integrated Pest Management Plan and Program
• Housekeeping & Child Activity Centers VSP operation
• Communicable Disease Prevention
• Gastrointestinal Illness Surveillance

Review USPH corrective action with the Hotel Manager and other department heads and assist with follow-up where necessary.
 

1. Conduct regular and surprise inspections in nautical, technical, and hotel spaces to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
2. Review and follow up on the implementation of corrective and preventative actions related to sanitation and public health.
3. Regularly audit public health record-keeping of all departments for accuracy and errors.
4. Provide or arrange for public health and sanitation training for Ladies and Gentlemen to ensure a high level of awareness and adherence to best practices.
5. Keep the Captain and General Manager informed of the yacht's sanitation performance and any areas of concern.
6. Support the development and implementation of sanitation policies and procedures to contribute to continuous improvement in public health standards aboard the yacht.
7. Supports newbuild operations to include work in the shipyard as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITES

1. Ensure the vessel always maintains the highest sanitation standard.
2. Responsible for the cleanliness of all outlets and locations assigned to the Public Health areas for Hotel departments in compliance with Public Health Rules and company policies. Oversee the Galley Utility Supervisor and Utility Team.
3. Conduct PH and sanitation trainings for all Deck, Engine, and Hotel personnel.
4. Maintain, monitor, and audit all sanitation logs and documentation.
5. Ensure compliance with Integrated Pest Management procedures.
6. Assist in equipment care, treatment, and training for galley equipment.
7. Establish and monitor cleaning routines and waste control measures.
8. Must be familiar with the regulations of the individual countries/regions sailing in.
9. Assist in loading perishable food items with proper quality and temperature control.
10. Monitor the dish wash areas during the peak hours to prevent loss of and breakage and monitor workload of the utility team.
11. Assist the Executive Chef in care, treatment, and training on the galley equipment, especially during cleaning process.
12. Assist the Executive Chef in creating and monitoring work/repair orders and ensuring that all galley equipment is in full working order.
13. Evaluate and verify the implementation of sanitation protocols and procedures, such as cleaning schedules, waste management, pest control, and water treatment.
14. Respond promptly to any health-related incidents, outbreaks, or suspected cases of foodborne illnesses.
15. Conduct investigations to identify the root causes of sanitation-related incidents and develop corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
16. Collaborate with shipboard medical staff and authorities during health-related emergencies or outbreaks to ensure appropriate measures are taken.
17. Stay up to date with the latest health and sanitation regulations, industry best practices, and emerging trends to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
18. Co-ordinate internal potable water sampling (monthly ice, up/down/fwd/aft samples) with medical team
19. Monitor freshwater bunkering procedures and organize water bunker samples.
20. External microbiological 2-monthly samples (VMS – EU ShipSan). Co-ordinate Legionella external sampling.
21. Conduct remediation action and retesting for any non-compliant microbiological or Legionella results.
22. Maintain overview of the outbreak prevention response plan.
23. Oversee Guest and Employee shower head super-chlorination / sanitization - coordination and record keeping.
24. Coordinate potable water hose/manifold inspection and oversee super-chlorination record keeping.
25. Coordinate and oversee records of external Potable water analysis from authorities of ports of call, as per VMS.

Qualifications

1. Valid Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and flag certification for the duration of the contract and appropriate to position
2. Three (3) years’ experience on a cruise vessel in a similar rank
3. Excellent command of the English Language High school Diploma or International equivalent.
4. USPH or HACCP certification.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The Lady or Gentleman must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• All Yacht Ladies and Gentlemen must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• All Yacht Ladies and Gentlemen must be able to communicate in the English language in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co-workers.