VESSEL ENGINEER & RELIEF CAP

Engineer / Relief Captain

Vessel Operations

Job # 534896

First Review Date : February 14, 2024

Open Until Filled

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs.

Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have nearly 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability.

Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

Job # 534896) Administrator 1, Engineer / Relief Captain, Salary Range : $3,750-$11,146 / month; Anticipated Hiring Range : $6,250-$7,500.

This is a full-time, benefited, 12-month position in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences (CNRS) Dean’s Office.

This position is an Administrator 1 in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP) reporting to the Captain of the Research Vessel (R / V) Coral Sea docked at Woodley Island Marina and managed by the CNRS Deans office.

Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President.

Additional information can be found at : . This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year.

Additional benefits information can be found at . Please note that this is an internal recruitment open only to active, stateside, staff Humboldt State University Employees.

Position Summary : Under the immediate supervision of the permanent captain of the Cal Poly Humboldt Research Vessel Coral Sea, this position maintains the vessel at an operational level, and may relieve the captain when the captain is unavailable and provides instructional support of Marine Science at sea.

Key Responsibilities : Under the direction of the captain, supervise deck crew, students, faculty and others. Supervise and actively participates in all, but not limited to the following procedures and does so in a safe and professional manner while adhering to industry standards and good seamanship while the vessel is at the dock and underway :

operation, maintenance, cleaning, repair of all machinery, surface preparation for painting the interior and exterior of the vessel.

Actively facilitates, demonstrates, and participates in all onboard safety training, including but not limited to fire, person overboard, abandon ship, collision and flooding.

The incumbent Supervises, plans and / or performs vessel paint projects while directing crew and student assistants in the surface preparation and application of, but not limited, to paint products such as Alklyd, anti-fouling paints, oils, 2-part epoxies and urethanes.

Supervises and coordinates major mechanical maintenance, repairs and retrofits of mechanical and electrical systems by outside contractors, during repairs and maintenance of, and ensures the completion of repairs and maintenance of diesel engines, diesel generators, air compressors and air receivers, hydraulic power systems (both electrical and power driven) with pumps, motors, valves, and hydraulically equipment such as cranes, winches and windlasses.

Preforms and / or supervises crew in implementing, facilitating and following a strict daily, weekly, monthly and yearly Preventive Maintenance Program (PMP), and ensures documentation of all PMP activities.

Ability to take charge of the vessel as captain during the absence or unavailability of the fulltime captain. May require serving as chief mate on cruises in excess of 12 hours.

Perform, supervise or assist in repairs, installations and maintenance of salt and fresh water systems, including copper, steel and PVC plumbing.

Performs or supervises outside contractors in metal repair and fabrication using AC / DC and oxy acetylene welding equipment.

Performs or supervises repairs of scientific equipment onboard the ship while at sea.

Participate in general cleaning, sanitation and organization

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include :

Thorough knowledge of the methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in the operation and repair of a seagoing vessel and the ability to repair equipment while at sea.

Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, including the ability to be organized, create and adhere to a regular preventative maintenance schedule and the ability to identify and diagnose potential and actual machinery and equipment failures.

Must possess experience with computers, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and Google Docs. Must have excellent communications skill, both verbal and written and be able to work cooperatively with the captain, faculty, staff, students and the public.

Experience or familiarity with diesel mechanics, electrical (AC and DC), hydraulics, pressurized water systems, metal fabrication, wood working, plumbing, winches, cranes, windlasses, capstans and other deck equipment.

Experience working effectively with a diverse population. Must possess the competency to provide instruction and supervise semi and un-skilled assistants.

Must be able to prepare students to be socially and environmentally responsible leaders in a diverse and globalized world.

Foster meaningful relationships across differences, including diverse culture communities, and competencies. Strengthen partnerships with local communities and serve as effective steward of the natural and bult environment and the university’s financial resources with a focus on sustainability.

This position requires going to sea for long periods of time and on overnight and multi-day voyages while supervising additional crew.

This position may also require travel and work in other parts of the country which may be of an extended duration, for example, the shipyard.

The work schedule (hours and days) varies. The incumbent must be flexible, available on weekends and be able to work on short notice.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Current USCG Merchant Mariner Credential minimum Master 100 gross ton Mate 200 gross tons, near coastal.
• Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)
• CPR, first aid, AED certificate
• Experience or familiarity with diesel mechanics, electrical (AC and DC), hydraulics, plumbing, metal fabrication, wood working, winches, cranes, windlass, capstans and other deck equipment.
• Must posses skills in deck seamanship.
• Recent experience on a vessel similar in characteristics to the R / V Coral Sea.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Current valid USCG MMC Masters 200 gross tons or higher
• Experience supervising
• Radar Unlimited / ARAP
• FCC restricted radio operator license
• ECDIS
• STCW 95 BST
• CA driver’s license

Application Procedure : To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button :

• Letter of Interest
• Copies of all relevant licenses and certificates
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline : The deadline to submit application materials for first review is Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to

and any questions you have may be submitted to