Marine Technician

Job Description

Position Details

Dept Number/Name: 471000 - Florida Institute of Oceanography

Location : USF St. Petersburg

Salary Plan : Admin

Job Code/Title : 9130 / Marine Technician

Hiring Salary/Salary Range : $55,000 - $ 65,000 (commensurate based on experience)

Position Numbers : 330102917 & 100014049


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 Marine Technician will work with specialized marine and oceanographic instrumentation systems in onshore, coastal, and offshore research sites, including on-board ships, small vessels, and other oceanographic equipment. Individual contributor role with no day-to-day supervisory responsibility but may be designated lead on projects and duties as required.


This position will serve as a liaison with Chief Scientist, Marine Operations Leadership, and research vessel Captains to coordinate the shipboard science operations including pre-cruise planning for research equipment, logistics, and field operations. Will advise and instruct science parties on the safe operation and use of oceanographic equipment, provide technical expertise to on-board science groups and crew members, and maintain the shipboard communications and data network and research equipment. This position will report directly to the Marine Technical Services Manager on the USF St. Petersburg campus.

Responsibilities

Coordination with science parties for logistics and field operations in relation to shipboard scientific research equipment needs and operations. Provides on-site technical expertise to shipboard science groups and ship's crew.

Testing, set up, installation, operations, and maintenance of oceanographic instrumentation systems, including shipboard electronic systems, navigation and communication systems, digital and analog data signals, and winch monitoring systems.

Operation and maintenance of shipboard computer system(s) and satellite communications to provide onboard internet access. Operation of shipboard Data Acquisition System (DAS), to include collection and distribution of research-specific and navigational data for on-board science groups.

Maintaining documentation on instruments and equipment, to include safety manuals and user guides, maintenance and repair logs, and recommendations for overhaul or replacement.

Serves as an integral part of ship's crew, which involves response to all major shipboard emergencies including fire, flood, man overboard, and abandon ship as well as mooring and unmooring, anchoring, and deck equipment operations.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:


High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree in computer science or relevant experience. Ability to obtain certification of completion for Standards of Training Certification, and Watch-keeping (STCW), Basic Safety Training, within 6 months of accepting position.

Must be able to stand for long period of time; perform recurring activities such as bending, crouching, stooping, climbing, stretching, and reaching. This position may require work on weekends and holidays, and when at sea, is required to work 12-hour shifts, and be available to work on a 24-hour basis. Must not be incapacitated by motion sickness.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( 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.

Preferred Qualifications:


Experience and knowledge of:

General computer networking

Satellite communications

Time Domain Refractometers

Windows OS

Linux OS

ArcView

PosView

QPS suite (Qinsy,Qimera,Fledermaus)

Teledyne PDS

Echoview

SQL Server

Seabird Seasave, Data Processing, Sea Term

Teledyne WinADCP, BBTalk

SCS

VMDAS

WinchDAC

Basic workshop tools

Certification of completion for Standards of Training Certification, and Watch-keeping (STCW), Basic Safety Training upon accepting position.

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(s) 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

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.