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HIRING– Chief Engineer R/V Taani OSU and Port Engineer

Marine Operations is seeking a Chief Engineer. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. This position is located in Newport, Oregon.

CHIEF ENGINEER

Oregon State University (OSU) operates the R/V Taani, a 199-foot Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) homeported at in Newport, Oregon. R/V Taani is the first in a new class of advanced research vessels sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support cutting-edge oceanographic research across the Pacific region.

The Chief Engineer is the direct supervisor for employees in the Research Vessel (R/V) Taani Engineering Department and is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel’s machinery, as well as the mechanical and electrical systems under the overall direction of the Master. The Chief Engineer is a key position in the prevention of pollution at sea and safe management of ship operations.

The Chief Engineer oversees the Engineering Department, directs maintenance and repair activities, and ensures that all systems are operated in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS).

The Chief Engineer ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, including International Safety Management (ISM) Safety Management System (SMS) and the International Convention of the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) procedures, maintains accurate engineering and maintenance records, and provides technical leadership to engineering personnel and contracted support. The position works collaboratively with the vessel’s officers, marine technicians, and embarked science parties to sustain safe, reliable, and efficient vessel operations in support of OSU’s research and education missions.

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RESPONSIBILITIES
60% – Engineering Watch and Plant Operations
20% – Engineering Department Coordination and Technical Supervision
10% – Fuel, Stores, and Documentation
10% – Scheduling and Maintenance Activities
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Fleet Assignment Clause
As qualified and assigned, may temporarily provide support other vessels within OSU Marine Operations (e.g., Small Boats Program, midsize/new-build vessels, West Coast Van Pool) to maintain safe crewing and operational continuity across the fleet.

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REQUIREMENTS
    • Valid Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) with the following rating: Chief Engineer Limited Oceans issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
    • Current Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) endorsements as appropriate for this position.
    • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
    • Ability to obtain a passport.
    • Ability to speak, read, and write English.
    • Meet Coast Guard drug testing requirements.
    • Solid understanding of basic computer programs including Microsoft Office products.
    • Minimum of one (1) year experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) programs.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

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PORT ENGINEER

The Port Engineer supports oceanographic research for Oregon State University under the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) in the Marine Operations group in Newport, Oregon. Marine Operations is responsible for the scheduling, operation, maintenance, and repair of multiple Oceanographic research vessels (R/V’s), a support facility, pier, heavy lift equipment and for the portable scientific vans in the UNOLS West Coast Van Pool. 

The vessels and vans are used in support of research and education conducted by the College, and other educational and research institutions, through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS). Our success is based on an interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art technology and facilities. Through field experiments, theoretical investigations, and numerical modeling and simulations, we study all aspects of ocean, land, and atmosphere processes and interactions. This position contributes to broadening the knowledge of the marine and atmospheric environments through education and research.

The Port Engineer serves as Marine Operations principal authority on all engineering related matters. Duties include managing the material readiness of midsized and regional classed Research Vessels, the portable research laboratories in the van pool, and the Marine Operations Facility in Newport, Oregon. The Port Engineer is a critical part of a small, dedicated team. The Port Engineer tasks include assisting with the recruiting and selection of vessel and shore-based employees; preparing specifications for shipyard and major repair activities; specifying major vessel equipment for purchase; assisting in the preparation of budgets and proposals; implementing procedures and maintaining documentation to meet a variety of regulatory requirements including the Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the vessels and shore equipment, Safety Management System (SMS), and US Coast Guard/American Bureau of Shipping inspection and survey, and the audits that are associated with those bodies. A portion of the incumbent’s time is spent out of the office, in hands-on activities which may include crane operations and troubleshooting vessel-based engineering issues among other facility and heavy equipment responsibilities.

OSU is managing the design and construction of three new Regional Class Research Vessels (RCRV’s) for the National Science Foundation. The first vessel, R/V TAANI, will be operated by OSU Marine Operations. The Port Engineer will be instrumental in the commissioning of R/V Taani, testing mechanical systems and establishing systems and infrastructure that will function for the life of the ship. The Port Engineer will need to work with OSU staff and crew at the Project Field Office (PFO) in Houma Louisiana, with the OSU Transition to Operations team in Oregon, the shipyard who is constructing the vessel, the National Science Foundation, and additional stakeholders. The Port Engineer will provide advice, leadership

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