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Position Details

Dept Number/Name: 471000 - Florida Institute of Oceanography

Location: USF St. Petersburg

Salary Plan: Administrative

Job Code/Title: 6468 / Marine Operational Training Manager

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $75,000 - 90,000 (commensurate based on experience)

Position Number: 100006775                                                                               

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 Operational Training Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating, and maintaining a comprehensive operational training program that supports the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of vessel operations, shore-side support activities, and related marine research and education support functions. This position serves as the lead for identifying required training, establishing structured training programs and qualification pathways, coordinating delivery of training, and maintaining records and tracking systems to ensure personnel are properly prepared to perform assigned duties.

The Operational Training Manager supports a complex operational environment that includes research vessels, small boats, marine support facilities, warehouses, workshops, laboratories, and associated field activities. The position works closely with operational leaders, supervisors, captains, subject matter experts, and University partners to ensure that required shipboard and shore-side training is identified, delivered, documented, and aligned with operational needs, safety requirements, and applicable regulatory or institutional standards. 

The role provides centralized oversight of training identification, coordination, delivery support, recordkeeping, readiness tracking, and continuous improvement. The position strengthens workforce preparedness, improves compliance and documentation, reduces operational risk, and supports safe and efficient execution of vessel and support operations. This position will report directly to the Marine Operations Manager on the USF St. Petersburg campus. 

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in education, training and development, occupational safety, marine transportation, marine operations, public administration, industrial technology, organizational leadership, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Four years of professional experience in training program management, workforce development, operational training, safety training, compliance training, or a closely related field. 

Relevant experience in a marine, maritime operations, or similar operational environment. 

Experience developing, coordinating, delivering, or tracking structured training programs and qualification requirements. 

Experience maintaining records, compliance documentation, or tracking systems related to employee training and readiness. 

Substitution: Appropriate combinations of post-high school education and experience may be considered in accordance with university policy.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience supporting training programs in vessel operations, marine operations, warehouse or workshop functions, field support environments, or mixed operational settings. 
• Familiarity with U.S. Coast Guard, OSHA, and institutional training requirements applicable to operational environments. 
• Experience developing training matrices, qualification programs, onboarding pathways, recurring training schedules, and drill programs. 
• Experience coordinating hands-on operational training involving vessels, boats, heavy equipment, shop tools, or field activities. 
• Experience working with learning management systems, records databases, or other training tracking tools. 
• Experience supporting training readiness for employees working in high-risk or compliance-driven environments. 
• Instructor qualification, maritime training credential, safety training certification, or related professional certification. 
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to translate operational and regulatory requirements into practical training programs and documentation. 

• Project Management experience.

Please provide the following documents when completing your application:

• Curriculum vitae / resume 

• A copy of academic transcripts 

• Contact information for three professional 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.

Training Program Development and Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive operational training program supporting vessel operations, marine support activities, and shore-side operations. 
• Identify and organize required training for shipboard and shore-side personnel, including initial, recurring, refresher, and activity-specific training. 
• Establish structured training plans, qualification pathways, and readiness requirements for operational roles. 
• Develop and maintain training policies, procedures, schedules, matrices, lesson plans, checklists, and related documentation. 
• Periodically review and update training programs to reflect changes in mission requirements, regulatory standards, equipment, facilities, and operational practices. 

Training Coordination and Execution

• Coordinate the planning, scheduling, and delivery of required operational training across vessel and shore-side functions. 
• Work with captains, supervisors, technical specialists, safety personnel, and external providers to deliver training that supports safe and effective mission execution. 
• Support onboarding and orientation of new personnel by ensuring required introductory and role-specific training is completed. 
• Coordinate drills, exercises, hands-on demonstrations, and other applied learning activities to strengthen operational readiness. 
• Assist in standardizing training practices across units to promote consistency in knowledge, qualifications, and performance expectations. 

Training Tracking and Records Management

• Develop and maintain training matrices and tracking systems for required certifications, qualifications, endorsements, drills, and recurring training requirements. 
• Monitor training completion status, expiration dates, qualification gaps, and upcoming requirements for vessel and shore-side personnel. 
• Maintain organized, accurate, and auditable training records and supporting documentation. 
• Generate reports and dashboards for leadership and supervisors regarding training completion, readiness status, and compliance trends. 
• Coordinate with supervisors to address overdue training, lapsed qualifications, and other readiness deficiencies. 

Operational Readiness and Qualification Support

• Partner with operational leaders to ensure personnel are trained and qualified for assigned duties before participating in operational activities. 
• Support development of competency-based training requirements for vessel crews, support personnel, and operational staff. 
• Help define minimum training and qualification standards for recurring operational activities involving vessels, small boats, warehouse functions, shop operations, and field support activities. 
• Assist in evaluating training effectiveness and recommend improvements to strengthen workforce readiness and operational performance. 

Regulatory and Institutional Alignment

• Identify and track training requirements arising from applicable OSHA, U.S. Coast Guard, university, insurer, and other institutional or operational requirements. 
• Coordinate with unit safety and compliance manager, Environmental, Health, and Safety personnel and other institutional partners to ensure required safety and compliance training is incorporated into operational training programs. 
• Assist with preparation for audits, inspections, and reviews by ensuring training records and documentation are complete and current. 
• Help ensure operational training programs align with institutional expectations and support safe, compliant operations. 

Program Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate training programs, drills, and readiness activities to assess effectiveness and identify gaps. 
• Collect feedback from personnel, supervisors, and instructors to improve course content, methods, schedules, and documentation. 
• Analyze incident trends, operational lessons learned, and readiness issues to inform future training priorities. 
• Recommend and implement improvements to training systems, materials, and delivery approaches to improve efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness. 

Program Support and Collaboration

• Work closely with vessel operators, shore-side personnel, supervisors, researchers, and University partners to support operational training needs. 
• Serve as a resource to leadership on workforce training requirements, readiness status, and qualification management. 
• Support special projects and additional readiness initiatives related to workforce development, operational excellence, and mission support. 
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of operational training, readiness, and workforce development. 

Other Duties as Assigned. Perform other duties in support of FIO marine operations, vessel readiness, safety, research support, education, outreach, training, emergency preparedness, and institutional priorities.