Manager of Marine Operations

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The School of Oceanography at the University of Washington is proud to be one of the nation's premier oceanographic educational and research institutions. We have an outstanding opportunity for a Manager of Marine Operations .

This person is responsible for organizing and overseeing the operation of our two research vessels, R/V Thomas G. Thompson and R/V Rachel Carson and for all shore-side activities. This unit is an important component of the US Academic Research Fleet, operated within the UNOLS (University National Oceanographic Laboratory System) framework. The Manager of Marine Operations is on-site in Seattle, leads the ship-based and shore-based Marine Operations staff, and provides exceptional support to faculty-led research and academic endeavors. Safe and efficient operation is critical to seagoing research and educational programs at the UW and within the USA.

Applications received before November 1st will receive priority. Inquiries and questions can be sent to the search committee chair, Prof Richard Keil

Responsibilities

The Manager oversees all aspects of our marine operations including supervising sea-going and shore-side staff. Although the numbers fluctuate, we currently employ six shore-side personnel and up to seventy seagoing persons each year in a combination of full-time, part-time, permanent and non-permanent positions.

Manage vessel operations

• Vessel Personnel Management as second-level supervisor to the with Port Captain as the direct supervisor to all shipboard personnel
• Shipboard Science Support Group (SSSG) Personnel Management as second-level supervisor to the Manager SSSG
• Vessel cruise planning, coordination and scheduling under the auspices of UNOLS Ship Scheduling Committee to meet the needs of scientific and educational users.
• In port planning and coordination at the University of Washington and at ports of call around the world.
• Coordinate efforts and submit foreign clearance requests for science cruises including communications with the U.S. State Department.
• Develop vessel operations, equipment/instrumentation, and technical services proposals for Federal grant and cooperative agreement funding
• Administer vessel operations, equipment/instrumentation, and technical services grants
• Manage vessel maintenance with assistance from Port Engineer
• Manage marine operations facilities
• Coordinate claims issues with Risk Management and participate in Quarterly Claims Review meetings
• Ensure vessels are operated in compliance with all university, federal and international rules and regulations
• Oversee the Safety Management System

Manage budgets

• Develop annual budgets in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) proposals with assistance from the Program Operations Specialist
• Provide fiscal oversight to ensure expenditures are within established budgets and that vessel day rates reflect operational costs
• Review monthly expenditures – provide monthly updates, correct inappropriately charged purchases, ensure only proper expenditures with assistance from the Program Operations Specialist
• Coordinate Petty Cash Fund activities including reviewing monthly reports and expenditures, cash reimbursement checks and transfer cash to the vessel with assistance from the Program Operations Specialist
• Work with the Director and Associate Director for Marine Operations to manage University of Washington academic shiptime funds.
• Review and approve procurements as needed
• Develop reports in support of expenditures
• Work closely with the School of Oceanography Administrator as well as the Dean's staff and campus administration to oversee R/V Rachel Carson debt retirement and capital improvement funding
• Reconcile on an annual basis the final published ship's schedule with the billings

Manage shore-based marine operations

• Shore-based Personnel Management – as direct supervisor for five employees including Port Captain, Port Engineer, Manager SSSG, Program Operations Specialist, and Administrative Assistant; second-level supervisor to Logistician and Oceanographic Research Cruise Coordinator: Responsible for hiring, training, assigning and scheduling work, acting upon leave requests, conducting performance evaluations and recommending disciplinary actions.
• Provide performance feedback and advice so as to foster effective operations and career advancement
• Ensure effective communication among shore- and ship-based personnel
• Update staff job responsibilities as needed to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.

External relations and community building

• Serve as a liaison with federal agencies (NSF and ONR) to keep them fully informed and negotiate funding for ship operations, repairs and equipment
• Serve as a liaison with ship operators from other institutions
• Represent the University of Washington in a wide variety of UNOLS activities including:
• Ship Scheduling Committee
• Research Vessel Operators Committee (RVOC)
• Contribute expertise by participating in UNOLS committees and providing leadership when appropriate
• Seek opportunities for other Marine Operations staff to participate in UNOLS activities
• Provide advice to scientists at the UW and other institutions in planning sea-going expeditions
• Promote the use of the R/V Thomas G. Thompson and the R/V Rachel Carson to the research community
• Ensure that the marine operations web pages are up to date

Coordinate marine operations activities with other elements of School of Oceanography and elsewhere within the University

• Keep the School's Director, Associate Director for Marine Operations, and other university administrators appropriately informed of operations
• Coordinate financial elements with the School Administrator and their staff
• Coordinate facility issues with the School Administrator and their staff
• Coordinate various vessel related activities with the College of the Environment Dean's staff
• Coordinate personnel related issues with UW Human Resources staff
• Participate in College of the Environment committees where appropriate, for example the Health and Safety Committee

Strategic planning and activities

• Work with the Associate Director for Marine Operations and faculty oversight committees to develop and implement long-term plans to upgrade seagoing capabilities in order to meet upcoming challenges and opportunities
• Work with Associate Director for Marine Operations and others as appropriate to develop plans to expand usage and support for R/V Rachel Carson .

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as science or engineering
• Minimum of ten years of vessel management;
• Experienced in operations and scheduling; ship construction, maintenance and repair; budget development; fiscal management and personnel administration
  Complete familiarity with the various requirements of cognizant regulatory bodies concerned with research vessel operation.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Preferred Qualifications

• A commitment to supporting oceanographic research and education and familiarity with the various national oceanographic research programs being underwritten by Federal agencies.
• U.S. Coast Guard licenses as Master, unlimited, and experience supporting science operations on oceanographic research vessels.
• Masters in Business Administration and/or Project Management Certificate

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$138,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$168,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

$5,000 moving allowance, subject to eligibility.

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .