The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences is seeking a Marine Energy Testing Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. PacWave, based at Oregon State University (OSU), plans to operate two open water, wave energy test sites off the coast of Newport, Oregon – PacWave North, and PacWave South, which is currently under construction.
Once operational, PacWave South will serve as the primary, grid-connected, wave energy test site in the US and will support US-based and international client testing activities.
The Marine Energy Testing Manager will serve as a key member of the core PacWave Team. They will report directly to the PacWave Deputy Director and work closely with the Chief Scientist, Project Manager and other PacWave personnel. They will manage wave energy testing client activities for PacWave and will be PacWave’s primary liaison with clients. They will ensure clients’ technical and business needs are met to support their overall testing objectives throughout all phases of test programs. The Marine Energy Testing Manager will work with multiple clients from the pre-contract phase, through the testing phase, and concluding once contract wrap-up has been completed. They will also manage PacWave’s involvement in accredited testing in collaboration with PacWave’s partner organizations.
Position Summary
The Marine Energy Testing Manager will manage internal and external outreach and engagement with stakeholders including faculty, national and international testing facilities, and marine industries to support wave energy testing and the mission of PacWave. This will include collaborating with other organizations to collect and analyze data and report results. Topics may include technical issues, environmental effect/impacts, monitoring and community engagement associated with PacWave.
The Marine Energy Testing Manager will also liaise with other OSU and PacWave personnel, industry and other stakeholders to support PacWave operations. This will include developing new business opportunities by initiating communication with potential clients and others in the marine energy industry, and responding to inquires from such companies. As such, the Marine Energy Testing Manager’s role will be critical to PacWave’s overall operations and success.
The ideal Marine Energy Testing Manager will have a wide range of skills including technical knowledge, and accredited testing, business and management experience. They will have a strong grasp of logistics, and the ability to handle multiple, complex projects while maintaining excellent communication with testing clients and other PacWave stakeholders. The position may be based in Newport, Oregon (preferred), or Corvallis, Oregon. Work will be performed in both locations.
Position Duties
40% Management of Client Testing Activities:
- Function as the primary liaison with testing clients to ensure their technical and business needs are met to support their overall testing objectives.
- Manage PacWave’s involvement in all aspects of a client’s testing program and coordinate with PacWave personnel, and other stakeholders to ensure successful tests.
- Coordinate reviews of design, construction, installation, operation, and demobilization plans for marine energy technologies from small sub-components to utility-scale devices.
- Lead the evaluation of test methods to improve processes and procedures, and incorporate feedback from clients and lessons learned. Recommend and implement process improvements.
- Coordinate training related to test processes and supporting documentation.
- Oversee test planning, monitoring and control – design, implementation and execution phases.
- Specify, assign, and coordinate the necessary testing resources, and ensure availability of appropriate testing tools and instrumentation.
25% Operations and Accreditation:
- Contribute to the development and maintain of Standard Operating Procedures.
- Work with PacWave’s partners to ensure industry and accreditation standards, (ISO, IEC, etc.) are met.
- Function as PacWave’s lead in test review and audit processes to ensure all accreditation requirements are met.
- Support the PacWave Safety & Compliance Officer in accident/incident investigation and causal analysis as needed.
- Work with the Safety & Compliance Officer to ensure that clients and staff adhere to safety procedures throughout all testing phases.
- Coordinate with clients on non-conformance issues.
15% Coordination and Communication:
- Interact and communicate with a broad range of stakeholders including test clients, marine energy industry representatives, federal and state agency personnel, OSU faculty, staff and students, and the public.
- Coordinate and liaise with testing clients through the planning, deployment and decommissioning phases of a wave energy converter test at PacWave.
- Respond to client and staff inquiries, concerns, and requests for testing matters including guidance on testing program implementation and/or interpretation.
10% PacWave Support:
- Provide general support to PacWave. These activities may include serving on external and university committees, or representing PacWave at conferences, meetings, and public events.
10% Miscellaneous Activities:
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director, or other PacWave Management.
Minimum/Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, marine sciences, business, or other discipline relevant to the position duties and 5 years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional industry (energy, offshore oil or gas, marine) experience, or Navy/Coast Guard experience, working with deployments of large equipment.
- Experience working offshore.
- Understanding and practical knowledge of marine safety protocols.
- Understanding and application of QA/QC procedures.
- Ability to implement standard operating procedures.
- Project management experience.
- Experience leading and training.
- Excellent time management skills with demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple, complex projects
- Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a large dynamic team environment with evolving requirements and schedules.
- Demonstrated ability to operate unsupervised, prioritize workloads, and exercise judgment in dealing with external and internal entities, and corporate and institutional representatives.
- Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to build relationships with colleagues and clients.
- Proficient computer skills, including MS Office Suite, Adobe, email, and ability to quickly learn software applications.
- This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Salary: Salary to Commensurate with Education, Training and Skills
Application deadline: November 16, 2022
