Licensed Marine Chief Engineer - RV Western Flyer

The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) is engaged in marine research, education, and resource management. FIO provides collaborating opportunities across academia, government, and private sector for educational, training, research, and public outreach for students and scientists across the state of Florida. The FIO currently operates a marine facility (Keys Marine Lab) which supports and enables research and education across the state of Florida, offering unique opportunities for college level education and research studying marine ecosystems. The FIO has recently acquired a third research vessel (Research Vessel Western Flyer) that will be used to expand upon educational and research activities to include new STEM Education programming. 

The Licensed Marine Chief Engineer position is responsible for the marine engineering team on the vessel and the maintenance and operation of all engineering equipment onboard the vessel. To ensure FIO is compliant with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations for operation of this vessel, the position of Licensed Marine Chief Engineer has been created. This position will report directly to the Marine Superintendent of their respective vessel on the USF St. Petersburg campus. 

Maintain the vessel's engines, generators, frames and winches, and all other mechanical and electrical equipment and systems required for the daily operation of the vessel. Oversee ship's engineering crew, assign watches and duties, and assist Marine Superintendent and/or Master in writing crew evaluations. Maintain and update vessel's electronic maintenance and inventory control and management system, including continuing the vessel's current crack inspection program. 

Maintain all other operational logs, monitor fuel and lube oil consumption, maintain onboard parts inventory for all systems on vessel. 

Assist Marine Superintendent in preparing Shipyard Repair and Modification Specifications. Oversee all shipyard work for any and all equipment listed in Primary Duties. Assist Marine Superintendent in overseeing and managing ship's engineering crew, engineering vendors and subcontractors, and shipyard shops, as their work pertains to the vessel's equipment listed above.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Minimum 2 years of experience sailing as an Engineering Officer on tugs, supply vessels, or other vessel of similar size and power to R/V WESTERN FLYER (117 feet LOA, 2500 horsepower, diesel/electric drive). 
• Valid U.S. Coast Guard License, minimum rating as follows: Chief Engineer (Limited) of Less Than 1,600 Gross Registered Tons Upon Oceans. 
• All STCW Certifications and Certificates as required for U.S. Coast Guard License above.

 

• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements 
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; 
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; 
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; 
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or 
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree 
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. 
• Minimum qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience abroad U.S. Academic Research Vessels preferred, however not required for this position.  

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report's national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF