Senior Marine Technician

Description

Senior Marine Technicians oversee the safety and training related to deck operations on the US Antarctic Program's two research vessels: the Nathaniel B. Palmer and the Laurence M. Gould. In their role, they are responsible for the rigging and mechanical operation of all scientific equipment deployed over the side of the vessel, including all small boat operations. They are also responsible for orchestrating all cargo movements to and from the vessel.

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Deployment to Antarctica is required of this position annually. Eligibility for deployment will require physical and dental evaluations with parameters determined by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness.
• Mission: To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

• Maintains safe workplace program and ensures safety is the highest priority in the workplace.
• Acts as the Deck Boss for all deployments of people and equipment off the ship. Coordinates, with the Marine Project Coordinator (MPC), all personnel that may work on the deck to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Maintains all facets of safety for operations in the shop, on the deck and off the ship. This includes safety enforcement, training, and on-site review of Marine Technician (MT) safety procedures. Acts as the onboard safety advocate.
• Is able to assess risks and implement mitigation strategies in an ever changing environment.
• Prepares and maintains documentation for vessel-based operations. This includes turnover reports at the end of each cruise, use logs for all equipment, operations logs, and detailed inventories for all equipment and supplies moving on and off the vessel.
• Trains junior technicians in all facets of the Marine Technician field. This includes machine shop practices, seaman skills, small boat seamanship, ship safety, and all facets of building, deploying and recovering oceanographic systems, and conducting operations in the sea-ice.
• Coordinates the maintenance, repair, storage and accounting for the vessel's science and oceanographic equipment, material, and machinery.
• Coordinates Marine Technician tasking and watch schedules with other Marine Technicians onboard as directed by the Marine Technical Service Manager and Marine Project Coordinator.
• Maintains in good working order the vessel's complement of inflatable boats, including the proper stocks of spare parts to fully support the science program. May, on occasion, operate and transport science party and/or staff in inflatable boats.
• Assists during port calls with the on-loading and off-loading of science and vessel cargo. Ensures safe, secure storage of cargo for transport during cruise.
• Assists with on-going science projects as directed by the Marine Technical Service Manager. This may involve temporary duty (TDY) in Denver Project Office to work with procurements, pre-cruise planning, and other special projects.
• Interacts with the National Science Foundation (NSF), military and other agency officials, both over the telephone and in person.
• This position requires heavy lifting of at least the safety regulation maximum and strenuous physical activity for both indoors and outdoors.
• Performs other duties as required.

• A minimum five years' experience on research vessels assisting with scientific programs in an on-deck capacity, or other applicable career experience is required.
• Experience in commercial marine operations such as merchant marine, fisheries, etc. is required.
• Expected Skills and Competencies:
• Comprehensive knowledge of at-sea oceanographic work
• Experience with deploying/retrieving oceanographic and scientific equipment
• Demonstrated ability to perform on-deck rigging, cargo handling and crane operations
• Proficient with basic hydraulic plumbing including spool valve/hose installation and termination.
• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods
• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.
• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.
• Valid Driver's License issued in the United States.

• College level coursework in Marine or a science-related field.
• USCG license or document as Able-bodied Seaman.
• High-latitude or polar experience is a plus.