MARINE TECHNICIAN - University of Washington

Req #: 240283 Department: OCEANOGRAPHY Job Location Detail: At Sea for up to 180 days a year. Posting Date: 10/29/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $6,500-$7,000 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701\_a11y.pdf) 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 University of Washington's School of Oceanography (SoO) operates two research vessels, R/V Thomas G. Thompson and R/V Rachel Carson and is associated with Ship-based Science Technical Support in the Arctic (STARC), the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy. The Shipboard Science Support Group (SSSG) provides logistical support within SoO's Marine Operations to enable users of our research vessels to successfully and safely carry out their planned missions and objectives. Individuals in the SSSG work cooperatively with ship operators, ship users, co-workers, and vendors to maintain a high level of services and specialized scientific and technical assistance to the oceanographic community. **The University of Washington is currently seeking a qualified, motivated individual with technical and practical skills in ocean sciences to join our sea-going team of technicians in support of the SoO's scientific and educational cruises on R/V Thomas G. Thompson, R/V Rachel Carson, and USCGC Healy.** This position entails frequent periods worked at sea, for two to three months at a time and half the year or more on ships wherever they are operating throughout the world ocean. The successful candidate will support R/V Thomas G. Thompson and R/V Rachel Carson in shipyard and in port for maintenance and instrumentation upgrades and may be assigned remote work for cruise preparations during a small percentage of the work year. All SSSG personnel must have the capacity for both working as part of a team in a high energy group environment, where communication and listening both are critical to success, and working alone for extended periods while retaining the ability to remain self-directed. Personnel are expected to cultivate positive and welcoming shipboard culture and uphold the University of Washington's value of inclusiveness where diverse perspectives are recognized, respected, and seen as a source of strength. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** **Shipside Support (50%)** Support of science aboard research vessels operated by the University of Washington including R/V Thomas G. Thompson, R/V Rachel Carson and in association with Ship-based Science Technical Support in the Arctic (STARC), the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy. - While at sea, stand regular watches (typically 12 hours per day); perform duties of scientific data collection and archiving; and assist with deployment and recovery of scientific equipment as required to meet the objectives of each expedition. - Operate, monitor, and maintain shipboard scientific instruments and associated software, shipboard navigation and communications systems, and GPS receivers. - Liaison with the Science Party (via the Chief Scientist or science watch leader) to communicate pertinent information on science operations between the science party and ship's crew; advise the onboard scientists on the most efficient methods for gathering high-quality scientific data using the ship's systems. - Assist the Master of the vessel to maintain compliance with ship, deck, and lab safety procedures and with proper storage and use of scientific hazardous materials and radioisotope materials brought onboard by vessel users. - Provide weekly and final cruise summary reports for each expedition, detailing successes and deficiencies in meeting objectives and the status of on-board equipment and instruments. - Plan and implement instrumentation or computer upgrades, as well as document procedures and configurations. **Operate and manage shipboard computer systems and networks (20%)** Members of SSSG are expected to have the knowledge and skills to understand and manage the shipboard computer networks on the R/V Thompson with the support of a shoreside Senior Computer Specialist including. - Manage shipboard computer Linux-based data servers and individual networked acquisition computers running Linux, Windows 10, and Mac OS operating systems. - Network administration expertise and strong working knowledge of VLANs are preferred. - Ensure that this system is optimally configured and maintained for the science mission, including preserving the integrity of cruise data and shipboard communications systems. - Develop procedures to provide redundancy of functions for system components, document the procedures, and provide training and direction within SSSG to elucidate network architecture, functionality, and procedures. **Shoreside Support (20%)** While on shore, provide logistical support. - Order and ship equipment or repair parts and supplies to ports of call; - provide technical support to shipboard personnel via e-mail or phone consultations; - inform SSSG Supervisor of equipment status and assist in ongoing efforts to schedule and document required repairs, upgrades, and associated tasks; work with manufacturers to ensure maintenance, repairs, and calibrations of instruments and equipment. - Contribute Ideas to improve efficiency and function of SSSG. - Interact with ship users and operators to determine best procedures to accomplish planned work safely; participate in pre-cruise conferences to identify and schedule the acquisition of specialized equipment to support expedition objectives; maintain pooled oceanographic instrumentation and equipment in safe working condition. - Work collaboratively with other marine operations personnel to plan, schedule, and accomplish individual mobilization and demobilization tasks during vessel in port periods (both in Seattle and in other ports), and participate in the planning for shipboard scientific system maintenance, repairs and upgrades. - Participate during drydock and shipyard work periods. - Participate in vendor-led, UNOLS (University National Oceanographic Laboratory System) or NSF-sponsored training opportunities to achieve standards of performance expected fleet wide. - As schedule permits, attend annual meetings of the UNOLS Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) to exchange information with personnel from other institutions to identify best practices and to resolve common problems. **Specialized Skills and Continuing Education (10%):** In addition to the basic duties required of all personnel, members of SSSG are expected to develop individual expertise in emerging areas of oceanographic research to contribute ideas, develop procedures for carrying out shipboard research, interpret data quality, and collaborate on presenting research results. They are encouraged to identify and pursue necessary training opportunities to increase knowledge and skills in ways that benefit SSSG and Marine Operations activities and goals and that contribute to the academic and research missions of the School of Oceanography. The School of Oceanography continues to build a team that includes individuals who have or will develop the following specialized skills: - Computer Network and System Administration. Manage shipboard computer Linux-based data servers and individual networked acquisition computers running Linux, Windows 10, and Mac OS operating systems. Network administration expertise and strong working knowledge of VLANs are preferred. Ensure that this system is optimally configured and maintained for the science mission, including preserving the integrity of cruise data and shipboard communications systems. Develop procedures to provide redundancy of functions for system components, document the procedures, and provide training and direction within SSSG to elucidate network architecture, functionality, and procedures. - Data Acquisition Systems. Participate, in consultation with other members of SSSG team, vessel users, and vendors in operation/maintenance/upgrades of software and hardware that comprise the suite of mechanical, electronic, and computer-controlled instruments in shipboard data collection, routing, and archiving systems (e.g., Knudsen depth sounder and sub-bottom profiler, Seabird CTD, Kongsberg EM 302 swath bathymetry system, Applanix POS/MV, meteorological and navigational sensors, and vessel-mounted Teledyne/RDI Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers). - Sampling and Measurement Systems. Participate, in consultation with other members of SSSG team, vessel users, and vendors in the maintenance of mechanical and electronic components of sampling and measurement devices. Develop expertise in the use of acoustical systems and other scientific instrumentation for ship-based observations (e.g., Guildline AutoSal, Metrohm Dosimat titrators, chlorophyll fluorometers). - Data Archiving. Participate in UNOLS fleet wide R2R (rolling deck to repository) data archiving initiative and related efforts; implement best practices and standard procedures on our vessels; develop, maintain, and upgrade software to archive raw, derived, and meta data and to process, edit, and plot data for quality control and scientific inspection at sea. - Education. Interact with faculty, students, and research scientists to train and mentor them in standard and novel approaches to shipboard oceanographic instrumentation, data collection and interpretation; become a resource within the School of Oceanography who contribute to local NSF-required broader impacts efforts to explain the significance of the research conducted on our vessels. - Additional related duties are to be performed as required. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** Bachelor's degree in a related field and 2 years of time spent on other vessels as a marine technician that are a part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, preferably on a global class or other technically equivalent, such as the R/V Roger Revelle, R/V Sally Ride, R/V Neil Armstrong, R/V Sikuliaq or R/V Atlantis. Dedicated research programs such as OOI, mooring groups, float or glider labs or other oceanographic dedicated facilities or programs that include a component of time spent at sea. **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS** - excellent written and verbal skills; - ability to work under and meet short deadlines; - demonstrated ability to work safely, cooperatively, and effectively at sea in adverse weather and conditions. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** Experience operating and maintaining standard shipboard scientific instruments; excellent written and verbal skills; ability to work under and meet short deadlines; and demonstrated ability to work safely and effectively at sea in adverse weather and conditions. Network administration expertise and strong working knowledge of VLANs. **WORKING CONDITIONS** - Must have the ability to obtain a valid passport and valid driver's license. - Must provide references who are able to speak to relevant job qualifications and experience. - Employees will be required to participate in research cruises at sea for extended periods of time, for up to a total of 180 days/year. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your "My Jobs" page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.