Ocean Career: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego Marine Technician

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at UC San Diego is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for ocean and earth science research, education, and public service in the world. SIO operates three major seagoing research vessels and platforms, which conduct physical, chemical, biological, geological, and geophysical studies of oceans worldwide. Scripps oceanographic research vessels make up one of the largest academic fleets in the world.

Scripps ships have state-of-the-art research instruments to study marine life, the oceans, the seafloor, and the atmosphere. Cruises vary from local trips to expeditions as long as six years. Scripps research ships, available to scientists around the world, have steamed more than six million nautical miles in support of science and the academic community.

Under supervision of the Shop Superintendent, the Marine Technician:

  • performs routine and general maintenance of the facilities, buildings, pier, and piping systems;
  • repairs and performs regular maintenance of specialized shipboard and shop equipment;
  • works from sketches and verbal instructions;
  • operates a variety of equipment and machinery including saws, drill presses, power hand tools and precision measuring instruments;
  • assists in fabrication, construction, testing, inspection and quality control of unique and specialized sea-going equipment and instrument mountings;
  • troubleshoots problems and recommends solutions.

Qualifications

  • Graduation from high school and four (4) years of experience in machine shop work, wood-working, tool and die-making, welding and steel fabrication, or mechanics, one (1) year of which must have been in marine construction or repair work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of good seamanship with respect to standing a proper watch and general deck operations including safety, maintenance, cleaning, rigging, small boat operations and operation of deck tools, equipment and machinery.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of marine maintenance with respect to proper preparation and preservation of steel ships, small boats and deck machinery.
  • Proficiency at operating a variety of vehicles, trucks, forklifts; operating air and airless paint equipment, operational control of manifold; operating and repairing small boats.
  • Proficiency in standard office software applications.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing, with diverse personnel
  • Working knowledge of math calculations and recordkeeping.
  • Proficiency in operating hand tools and safety equipment.
  • Demonstrated math skills to perform accurate calculations, provide time and materials estimates, assist in procurement etc.
  • Good working knowledge of operational controls and capacity of forklifts, wire spoolers and overhead cranes or equivalent equipment operation with transferable skills.
  • Ability and willingness to train other personnel in the safe use of winches, and forklift or other industrial machine/equipment operations.
  • Knowledgeable of individual trades in common industrial maintenance ship atmosphere.
  • Familiar with preservatives and paints as related to application to different types of parts, machinery, and surfaces.
  • Ability to recognize and distinguish wire sizes and spooling devices.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) to interact with PI’s, researchers and non UCSD clients.
  • Ability to train junior and temporary personnel.

Salary

$54,121 – $75,794 Annually

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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