Marine Operational Training Mgr

Dept: Florida Institute of Oceanography, University of South Florida – St. Petersburg campus

About the role

The Operational Training Manager develops, implements, coordinates, and maintains 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 functions. This position leads training identification, program development, delivery coordination, and record-keeping to ensure personnel are prepared for assigned duties. The role strengthens workforce readiness, improves compliance, reduces operational risk, and supports safe and effective vessel and support operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive operational training program for 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, workforce development, marine operations, vessel readiness, safety, research support, education, outreach, and institutional priorities.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Pay

$75,000 – $90,000 per year (commensurate with experience).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance plans.
• Retirement plan options.
• Employee and dependent tuition programs.
• Generous leave policies.
• Hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About the organization

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.

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities.