| Job Description: | Fleet Operations and Safety Manage all fleet vessel activity; make assignments to fleet boats per boat orders/priorities. Prepare a Vessel Safety Plan and carryout duties assigned under the Vessel Safety Plan as the vessel safety officer. Assign, responsibly direct, discipline and resolve concerns of all crew. Give assignments and direction to the mate and/or lead deckhand. Delegate vessel responsibilities to crew members to ensure safe navigation and compliance with policy and procedures. Ensure that each crew member participates in drills and receives instruction at least once each month. Performs Safety at Sea operations and training for students, faculty and staff. Prepare periodic crew performance evaluations. Ensure that all vessel documents and licenses are checked each time he/she joins the vessel to confirm the documents are properly posted and current. Ensure that the vessels are in regulatory compliance. Must have first aid training and strong communication skills. Acts as captain on board vessels (requires valid Captain’s License).
It is the responsibility of this position to approve a vessel’s readiness for use. Only the Manager, Marine Facilities and Operations has the knowledge and experience to approve a vessel’s readiness for operation. Further, the environment of the Nature Coast contains extensive shallow water and oyster reefs, and thus it is possible for accidents and standings if vessel operators are not trained and knowledgeable of this unique environment. It is the responsibility of this position to assess and approve whether a potential vessel operator is trained and capable of safely operating any of the vessels. Further, this position will hold training courses on vessel operations for IFAS faculty, staff and students who are using the NCBS facility. This position also assesses weather and sea conditions before allowing anyone or any vessel to leave the dock.
Fleet Maintenance and Safety
Responsible for the repair and maintenance of heavy equipment to include but not limited to diesel engines, generators, compressors, pumps, fuel barge and tanks, and electrical service on boat and shore-based facilities. This position independently monitors the maintenance of this essential equipment. This position sets the routine maintenance schedules but also ascertains when a repair is needed, how equipment downtime will affect operations, and makes alternate plans to mitigate impact to schedules or tasks. Paint boat exteriors and interiors, building cabinetry, shelving and other fixtures as needed. Maintain safety equipment, all pumps, transmission, steering, deck gear, dredging equipment, etc. Do minor mechanical work on a variety of motors including inboard marine engines and electrical power generator and gasoline powered outboard motors, water pump motors, etc. as needed. Electrical work including minor wiring and instillation of switch panels and switches, implements such as electrical motors, electronic apparatus on marine vessels and minor repairs to electrical generating equipment, motors, starters, chargers, sonar, radar, chart plotters and other marine electronic devices. Participates in the repair, maintenance and operation of coastal sampling and collecting equipment as appropriate, and in the assembling and fabricating of equipment and materials. Procures major components, materials and supplies for all vessels. Build and maintain stationary and floating docks. Also, maintain channel markers.
Facilities Maintenance and Safety
Responsible for the maintenance and repair of all equipment and facilities at the NCBS and SKML sites, including Cedar Key and Seahorse Key facilities: buildings, generators, grounds and Cedar Key Lighthouse. Participates in the construction and maintenance of laboratory, dormitory and dockage facilities. Procures major components, all materials and supplies for all physical plant. Operates and maintains equipment for maintenance of grounds at NCBS and SKML, including planted areas around buildings and trails. The SKML requires operation and maintenance of propane generators for electricity, and this position ensures the safe transport and operation of liquid propane to the island, as well as transfer of propane from the vessels to the tanks on the island. This position is the only person trained in safe operation of the generators and propane fueling operations. This position determines the schedule and routine grounds maintenance based on which machines and tools are available/working at any given time. Additionally, this position is responsible for proactive grounds maintenance based on upcoming events, visitors, weather, etc. Must be able to perform physical tasks related to board and land vehicle transportation, maintenance and facilities operations as required. Repair and maintain building and dockage facilities; install and maintain water lines (main and service, salt and fresh) and plumbed utilities including ice machines, hot water heaters. Install and maintain septic tank drain fields. Replace pumps and well points when needed. Install and maintain natural gas lines and heaters. Makes repairs and adjustments to plumbing equipment such as repairing faucet, seats, stopping leaks, replacing valves, and other moderately complex repairs. Paint, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, concrete, heating and air conditioning, kitchen appliances, roof, repairs, etc. whenever necessary. Maintain fuel supply (propane) and gasoline.
Supervise groups when other NCBS staff are not present; scientific and educational visitors in boat operations, dredging, collection of specimens and other water work, group of students day or night. Be on call for emergencies when groups are staying at NCBS and SKML.
Grounds: mowing, tree-trimming, planting plants and grass for SKML. Also maintain water supply and wells, above and below ground.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor. |