Mate

Job Identification:

43802

Job Category:

Research Apply Before:

07/01/2026, 09:59

AM Degree Level:

High School Graduate Locations:

140 7th Ave S, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701,

US Hiring Salary:

$64,734 to $78,328

Essential Personnel:

No Job Description Position Details Dept Number/Name:

471000 -

Florida Institute of Oceanography Location:

USF St.

Petersburg Salary Plan:

Administrative Job Code/Title:

6563 / Assistant Marine Captain /

Mate Hiring Salary/Salary Range:

$64,734 to $78,328 (commensurate based on experience)

Position Number:

100003370 & 100007152

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 Assistant Marine Captain / Mate serves as the vessel's second officer and assistant command authority aboard FIO research vessels. The position is directly involved in the daily operation, safe navigation, crew direction, vessel readiness, science mission support, emergency response, and safety of personnel aboard the vessel. The position supports the vessel Captain in ensuring safe, professional, and mission-ready vessel operations in port and underway. This position is responsible for standing navigation watches, directing assigned crew and watchstanders, supporting bridge resource management, supervising deck evolutions, conducting safety briefings, supporting scientific operations, maintaining vessel readiness, training crew, and assisting with operational documentation. In the absence, incapacitation, or delegated authority of the Marine Captain, the Assistant Marine Captain / Mate may assume responsibility for the safety and welfare of the vessel, crew, students, faculty, researchers, passengers, and other personnel aboard. The Assistant Marine Captain / Mate supports the safe and effective operation of FIO research vessels by serving as the second-in-command to the Marine Captain. This position performs navigation, watchstanding, deck operations, safety, training, maintenance, science support, and emergency-response duties aboard FIO vessels operating in support of research, education, training, and outreach missions. The position requires professional maritime judgment, practical vessel-handling skills, knowledge of navigation rules and vessel operating procedures, experience directing crew, and the ability to manage risk in a dynamic shipboard environment. The Assistant Marine Captain / Mate works directly with the Marine Captain, Chief Engineer, vessel crew, marine technicians, chief scientists, students, researchers, and shoreside marine operations personnel to ensure that vessel operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in support of mission objectives. This position will report directly to the Marine Captain on the USF St. Petersburg campus. Responsibilities Navigation Watchstanding, Vessel Operation, and Bridge Resource Management. Perform Assistant Marine Captain / Mate duties aboard FIO research vessels. Stand bridge watches as the operating and navigating officer of the watch under the authority of the Marine Captain. Safely navigate and operate the vessel during underway operations, approaches and departures, restricted-water transits, anchoring, station-keeping, maneuvering near scientific equipment, and operations in varying weather, sea, visibility, and traffic conditions. Maintain safe navigation through proper use of radar, charts, electronic navigation systems, Automatic Identification System, depth sounders, radios, visual bearings, voyage plans, standing orders, vessel control systems, and applicable navigation rules. Maintain a proper lookout, assess collision risk, monitor vessel position, direct watchstanders, conduct vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications, and elevate safety or operational concerns to the Marine Captain. Maintain cleanliness, readiness, and general condition of the pilothouse, chart room, navigation equipment, control stations, and bridge-related operational spaces. Vessel Safety, Emergency Response, and Continuity of Command. Serve as the vessel's second-in-command and support the Marine Captain in maintaining the safety and welfare of the vessel, crew, students, faculty, researchers, passengers, and other embarked personnel. Assume command-related responsibilities when directed by the Marine Captain or when required due to the Captain's absence or incapacitation. Support emergency preparedness and response for fire, flooding, man overboard, medical emergencies, loss of propulsion, steering casualty, grounding, collision, severe weather, pollution incident, abandon ship, diving emergency, small boat emergency, or science gear casualty. Conduct and coordinate shipboard safety briefings, emergency drills, science party orientations, PPE requirements, muster procedures, and passenger safety procedures. Ensure crew and science parties understand vessel hazards, emergency signals, safe movement aboard, and required safety practices. Inspect, service, and verify readiness of assigned safety and survival equipment. Ensure crew and science parties possess and properly use required personal protective equipment. Science Mission Support, Deck Evolutions, and Over-the-Side Operations. Support research, education, and training missions by coordinating and supervising deck operations involving scientific equipment, sampling gear, buoys, nets, CTDs, small boats, diving-support equipment, winches, cranes, A-frames, U-frames, lines, deck machinery, and related scientific apparatus. Work directly with the Marine Captain, chief scientist, marine technicians, deck crew, and science party to ensure over-the-side operations and deck evolutions are conducted safely and within vessel, equipment, weather, crew, and operational limitations. Support water sampling, sediment sampling, hydrographic survey, diving operations, buoy deployment and recovery, student training, equipment staging, loading, unloading, and other science-driven vessel activities. Identify unsafe conditions during science operations and recommend modification, delay, or suspension of operations when risk exceeds acceptable limits. Crew Direction, Training, and Deck Operations Supervision. Provide daily direction, task assignment, and operational supervision to deck crew, watchstanders, and assigned personnel during vessel operations. Train crew members in deck operations, line handling, anchoring, cargo handling, seamanship, marlinespike seamanship, small boat support, crane and winch safety, A-frame and U-frame operations, deck machinery use, vessel maintenance, emergency response, and safe shipboard work practices. Direct crew during mooring, anchoring, loading and unloading, equipment movement, deck evolutions, science operations, severe weather preparation, emergency response, and routine shipboard work. Support a professional safety culture by enforcing safe work practices, correcting unsafe conditions, mentoring junior crew, and elevating personnel or operational issues to the Marine Captain. Vessel Readiness, Maintenance Oversight, and Operational Documentation. Support vessel readiness by inspecting, maintaining, and coordinating upkeep of assigned navigation, deck, safety, science-support, and operational areas. Supervise and participate in topside and interior maintenance, including hull, decks, bulkheads, bulwarks, deck machinery, interior spaces, science spaces, common spaces, living areas, lines, fenders, safety equipment, and associated shipboard systems. Prepare, maintain, or support administrative records related to vessel operations, including vessel logs, navigation records, watch records, work/rest or hours documentation, safety checklists, drill records, maintenance documentation, charts, manuals, and operational reports. Work with the Marine Captain to develop, update, and implement vessel operating procedures, safety procedures, emergency procedures, watchstanding guidance, science-party orientation materials, and procedural manuals. Request purchase orders or needed supplies through appropriate channels to support vessel readiness and assigned operational areas. Port Operations, Logistics, and Research Vessel User Support. Support in-port vessel operations, including mooring, line handling, vessel service connections, dockside safety, pre-cruise preparation, post-cruise closeout, equipment loading and unloading, and coordination with marine operations personnel. Assist with embarkation and debarkation of crew, students, faculty, researchers, visitors, supplies, and scientific equipment. Support vessel occupants at sea and in port while maintaining professional standards, safety requirements, and operational discipline. 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.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of at-sea shipboard experience operating a marine vessel, including pilothouse duties involving navigation of the vessel, with at least one year of experience aboard a marine vessel operating on ocean or near-coastal waters. Successful completion of firefighting and radar observer courses approved by the U.S. Coast Guard is required. Must possess or be able to obtain required maritime credentials, safety training, and institutional requirements necessary to serve aboard FIO research vessels.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Two or more years of experience piloting or operating marine research vessels. Experience supervising crew in support of vessel operations, science missions, or field operation. Current U.S. Coast Guard license as Master, Ocean any grade, or Mate, Ocean or Near Coastal, with qualifications appropriate to assigned vessel operations. Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations, maritime laws, navigation rules, OSHA requirements, and vessel safety practices. Demonstrated knowledge of vessel stability, bridge resource management, deck operations, cargo handling, and emergency procedures. Proficiency in dynamic positioning systems, where applicable. Experience supporting oceanographic research operations, including winches, cranes, A-frames, U-frames, deck machinery, CTDs, buoys, sampling equipment, small boats, and diving operations. Experience with logistics planning for domestic and foreign waters or ports. Current STCW Basic Safety Training, First Aid/CPR, driver's license, Transportation Worker Identification Credential, and passport. Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, scientists, agency partners, vessel crew, and external users in a professional research and education environment.

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.

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. About Us 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.