Marine Operations Coordinator

SEA is a non-profit educational institution located in Woods Hole, MA, offering innovative and rigorous oceanography and environmental science programs on campus, on-shore in remote locations, and aboard our state-of-the-art sailing research vessels, SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robert C. Seamans in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

About the role

The Marine Operations Coordinator will play a vital role as part of the Marine Department team, aiding in the operations of SEA’s two sailing school vessels, and at our campus in Woods Hole or for the remote shore components as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operational Logistics
  • Paperwork: Assists in drafting and submitting pre-program regulatory paperwork, such as the eNOAD (Electronic Notice of Arrival and Departure) travel letters, crew lists, etc. Creates Operation Orders and Souls on Board lists to send to the ship, along with coordination of crew medical paperwork with SEA’s Medical Coordinator.
  • Crew Logistics: Work with all crew to plan travel to and from the ship in accordance with SEA’s travel policy.
  • Ship Logistics: Work with Marine staff to procure and pack/ship supplies in response to buy lists, as well as ensure crew receive a crew shirt and/or jacket. Participates in rotating weekly coverage of daily calls with the ships.
  • Drug Testing: Oversees the random drug testing program, ensuring that proper test numbers are met and are conducted in compliance with regulations.
• Crew Relations
  • Create and provide port and program information for relevant crew.
  • Ensure that crew have space for feedback following programs.
  • Facilitate crew newsletters and community meetings and any additional communications to disseminate relevant information.
• Administration
  • Hiring Paperwork: Work with HR to onboard new crew. Ensure that new and returning crew complete the required paperwork for shipboard crew, including but not limited to: pre-employment drug testing and medical clearance.
  • Crew Training: Work with a Special Projects Coordinator to plan and run crew training programs. Work on course renewal packages and audits as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum Required Qualifications
  • Eligibility to work in the United States
  • USCG Merchant Mariner Credential of OS or higher, or willingness to get one as able
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
  • Support for institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Demonstrated project management and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, staff, students, and outside agencies
  • Ability to multi-task effectively, be flexible and innovative, and possess excellent communication skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Flexibility to meet the needs of our sailing school vessels, including frequent work during non-traditional work hours (nights and weekends) and possible international and domestic travel
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • USCG Merchant Mariner Credential of AB-Sail or 200-ton+ with sailing endorsement
  • 1-2 years of seagoing experience on a tall ship or research vessel, 3 years of total professional experience
  • Experience with database management
• Other Requirements
  • This position is in-person at the campus in Woods Hole, MA. Candidates must be willing to live within a commutable distance for daily onsite presence.
  • May be asked to sail on our vessels to fill crewing gaps at any time, requiring up to 8 weeks of time at sea both internationally and domestically.
  • Shipboard duties require the physical ability and agility to quickly move and react to events on deck, to access below decks, to climb aloft, and to live and work in confined spaces.
  • Life at sea demands the physical, psychological, and emotional ability to adapt to a ship’s watch schedule, to work in groups or alone, to withstand extended periods of time on a moving vessel without daily access to shore resources, and in case of an emergency to perform duties under adverse circumstances.
  • Shipboard requirements also include the need to be medically cleared and adhere to SEA’s drug and alcohol policy.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Flexible spending accounts
• Unlimited PTO and generous sick time/holidays

Pay

The minimum starting salary for the Marine Operations Coordinator will be $45,000 – $50,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

• Frequent work during non-traditional work hours (nights and weekends)
• Possible international and domestic travel
• May require up to 8 weeks of time at sea to fill crewing gaps