Entry Level Coastal Marine Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details
Dept Number/Name: 471000 - Florida Institute of Oceanography
Location: USF St. Petersburg
Salary Plan: Administration
Job Code/Title: 6556 / Marine Chief Engineer
Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $75,000 - 85,000 (commensurate based on experience) plus sea pay
Position Number: 100005084
Organizational Summary:
The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) is an institute of the University of South Florida that connects Florida's academic, public, and private partners to the marine environment through oceanographic research, education, workforce development, and applied maritime operations. As a regional marine science and technology resource, FIO provides access to research vessels, specialized marine equipment, field operations expertise, and the Keys Marine Laboratory to support discovery, student learning, environmental stewardship, and solutions to complex coastal and ocean challenges.
Through its vessels, facilities, and experienced maritime professionals, FIO enables researchers, students, agencies, and industry partners to conduct work on, in, and around the water safely and effectively. FIO supports oceanographic research while also serving as a broader platform for interdisciplinary education, experiential learning, marine technology testing, public-private collaboration, and workforce development. As part of USF, FIO strengthens the university's role as a leader in ocean science, coastal resilience, and marine innovation while serving the needs of Florida and the broader ocean community.
Position Description:
The Marine Chief Engineer's primary function is to ensure the safe, reliable, compliant, and mission-ready operation of all engineering systems aboard FIO research vessel(s), both in port and at sea.
This position serves as the senior engineering representative aboard the vessel and is responsible for routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance of vessel propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, damage control, potable water, sewage, and auxiliary systems.
In addition to technical repair and maintenance duties, the Marine Chief Engineer is responsible for significant administrative and management functions, including preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, equipment records, repair planning, spare parts and inventory control, shipyard work list development, regulatory inspection support, safety compliance, vendor coordination, and training or mentoring assigned engineering personnel.
The position works closely with the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, Assistant Engineer, deck department, science users, contractors, and shoreside support personnel to ensure FIO vessels are prepared to safely and effectively support research, education, outreach, and marine operations. This position will report directly to the Marine Captain I of their respective vessel on the USF St. Petersburg campus.
Responsibilities
Repair, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate main diesel engines, ship service generators, air compressors, pumps, motors, piping systems, and other mechanical equipment aboard marine vessels at sea and in port. Install, repair, and maintain vessel systems including, but not limited to, hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, potable water, sewage, bilge, steering, auxiliary, and damage-control systems. Perform routine shipboard maintenance in port, including preservation, de-scaling, painting, cleaning, and operation of portable hand and power tools. Ensure engineering spaces and equipment are maintained in a safe, orderly, and mission-ready condition.
Manage engineering department administrative functions, including preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, machinery records, fuel and fluid records, equipment operating hours, repair history, deferred maintenance items, inspection findings, and corrective actions. Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules based on manufacturer guidance, regulatory requirements, vessel operating hours, calendar intervals, and equipment condition. Maintain accurate documentation suitable for management review, audits, inspections, surveys, and long-term vessel lifecycle planning.
Plan, coordinate, and support vessel repair periods, shipyard work, dry dock maintenance, contractor support, and between-cruise maintenance availabilities. Identify engineering deficiencies, prepare repair recommendations, assist with work lists and scopes of work, support procurement of parts and services, coordinate vendor access, monitor contractor work, and verify completion of repairs before equipment is returned to service. Provide technical input to the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, and other shoreside personnel regarding vessel readiness, repair priorities, lifecycle replacement needs, and operational limitations.
Train, mentor, and provide daily direction to the Assistant Engineer and other assigned engineering personnel. Assign engineering tasks, monitor work quality, support qualification development, and ensure personnel understand vessel-specific systems, safe work practices, machinery-space procedures, casualty response, and emergency engineering operations. Promote professional standards, accountability, and safety within the engineering department.
Support regulatory compliance, inspections, surveys, and safety management requirements related to vessel engineering systems. Assist with U.S. Coast Guard, ABS/class, load line, environmental, university, and FIO compliance activities as applicable. Maintain or support maintenance of required engineering records, technical manuals, inspection documentation, certificates, placards, and equipment records. Track deficiencies and corrective actions related to engineering systems, safety equipment, pollution prevention, and emergency readiness.
Manage shipboard engineering inventory, spare parts, tools, lubricants, filters, belts, hoses, fittings, fluids, hazardous materials, and mission-critical consumables. Identify minimum stock levels, submit purchase requests, provide technical specifications for procurement, track usage of supplies, and ensure parts and materials are properly stored, labeled, and available to support vessel readiness. Support budget planning by identifying recurring maintenance costs, critical spares, anticipated repairs, and lifecycle replacement needs.
Assist the Captain, Mate, deck department, and science party with routine vessel operations and scientific mission support as needed. Support launching and recovery of over-the-side scientific equipment using cranes, winches, nets, small boats, A-frames, or related equipment. Assist with line handling, winch operation, anchor handling, small boat operations, fueling, energizing and securing machinery, watchkeeping support during inclement weather, and other duties necessary to safely support vessel operations on a non-stable platform in all types of weather. Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or designee.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
High School Degree and minimum of four years of experience assigned as an Assistant or Chief Engineer. Experience must include demonstrated ability to maintain engineering logs, document repairs and maintenance, support preventive maintenance programs, troubleshoot vessel systems, and work safely aboard marine vessels in port and at sea.
Certifications for Standards for Training certification, and Watchkeeping, Basic Safety Training, STCW-95/BST, first aid, and CPR must be achieved within 3 months of employment. Must have a valid driver's license and U.S. passport at the time of hire.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
• 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 working in an academic, research, or educational vessel environment with students, researchers, faculty, technicians, or science users is preferred.
Preferred qualifications include experience with:

• Research vessel operations.
• Marine diesel propulsion and ship service generators.
• Hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, fuel, plumbing, firefighting, sewage, potable water, bilge, steering, and auxiliary systems.
• Preventive maintenance systems and engineering recordkeeping.
• Shipyard repair periods, dry dock planning, and contractor coordination.
• U.S. Coast Guard inspections, ABS/class surveys, load line requirements, or vessel safety management systems.
• Scientific mission support, including cranes, winches, A-frames, small boats, over-the-side equipment, ROV/AUV support, and deck machinery.
• Training and mentoring assistant engineering personnel.
• Certifications for STCW Basic Safety Training, first aid, CPR, MMC Engine Dept, and TWIC card.

Special Skills/Training:

• Marine diesel engine maintenance and troubleshooting
• Ship service generator operation and repair
• Hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fuel, firefighting, pneumatic, and damage-control system knowledge
• Preventive maintenance planning and documentation
• Engineering log keeping and regulatory record management
• Shipyard repair planning and contractor coordination
• Ability to work safely aboard vessels at sea and in port
• Ability to train and mentor assistant engineering personnel
• Familiarity with research vessel operations and over-the-side scientific mission support preferred

Please provide the following documents when completing your application:
Curriculum vitae / resume
A copy of academic transcripts
Contact information for three references (one must be your current/most recent supervisor).
The selected candidate must have a current work authorization in the United States. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.