Public Health Officer - onboard cruise ship

Job Title: Public Health Officer

About the Role:

The Public Health Officer oversees all health, hygiene, and sanitation standards across the vessel to safeguard crew and guests. Reporting to the Staff Captain, this role drives compliance with international health regulations and mitigates operational risks across every department. It is a hands-on position requiring constant vigilance, physical presence, and cross-functional leadership.

What the reality of this position looks like:

• Conducting comprehensive physical audits across galleys, recreational water facilities, youth areas, and medical spaces to enforce strict public health compliance.
• Collaborating closely with technical, hotel, and medical teams to manage high-pressure situations, such as outbreak prevention protocols or water system failures, ensuring immediate corrective action is taken.
• Managing routine chemical testing, pest control oversight, and crew sanitation training programmes to maintain continuous operational readiness for external regulatory inspections.
• Oversee and review: Protein spills (acknowledgement records), Cabin cleaning, Steward Lockers/Pantry Maintenance, Temperature monitoring, Hit squad teams (cleaning and management process), Outbreak emergency lockers, Protein spills (acknowledgement records), Restroom maintenance good working order, Solution levels (dispensing units)

- Inspections and Audits 

- Crew Training and Development 

- Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control

- Food Safety

- Spa and Fitness Facilities

- Kids and Teens Facilities

- Potable Water and Recreational Water Facilities

- Integrated Pest Management

- HVAC and Refrigeration

- Waste Management

- Emergency Response and Continuous Improvement

- Reporting and Documentation

Essential attributes and qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in public health, environmental health, or occupational safety, with mandatory prior shipboard experience in this role.
• Technical & Systems: Mandatory certifications in HACCP, water safety, pest management, and infection prevention, alongside advanced knowledge of international public health regulations (such as VSP, SHIPSAN, ANVISA, PHAC, and WHO).
• Core traits: Highly adaptable, resilient, and collaborative, with exceptional problem-solving skills and a guest-first mindset.
• University degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in Public Health, Environmental Health, Biological Sciences, or closely related field is highly desirable
• Attendance of the USPH Vessel Sanitation Program seminar with certification and/or SHIPSAN certification are desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint etc.
• Experience with Onboard Sea Care electronic healthcare record platform is highly desirable

What is provided:

• Package: Tax-free salary structure (dependent on nationality/consultation).
• Living arrangements: Fully provided accommodation in a shared cabin onboard.
• Inclusions: All international flights, meals, uniform
• Contract Length: 4 months on / 2 months off