The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States. Located along the glistening beaches of Gloucester Point, Virginia, VIMS provides research, education, and advisory services to government, citizens, students, and industry in coastal oceans and estuary science.
Transforming data into policies, students into leaders, and theories into tangible change for solutions to global problems and to restore marine life.
Marine Operations is seeking highly motivated and technically qualified applicants to apply for Senior Marine Electronics Technician. In addition to the core competencies and experience, the ideal candidate will possess effective interpersonal, and communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member.
Reporting to the Port Engineer, the Senior Marine Electronics Technician (SMET) focuses on research vessel data acquisition via hydroacoustic and hydrographic equipment. The SMET will be responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical and electronic equipment on all VIMS vessels and will provide advice on the acquisition of marine and other electronic equipment. The position also assists with general IT related issues in Marine Operations.
Responsibilities include (but not limited to):
Marine Electronic Support – On Shore Various shore-based tasks centered on the support of scientific missions (pre-cruise preparation, within cruise communications and troubleshooting, post-cruise data product delivery).
- Coordinates and interfaces with research scientist regarding research vessel data products to ensure achievement of research objectives.
- Coordinates repair, maintenance, installation, and purchase of marine electronic equipment, primarily for vessels. Partners with Port Engineer to ensure on-time completion of various projects.
Marine Electronic Support – At Sea Participate in at-sea research activity during implementation of R/V Virginia multibeam echosounder (approximately 50 days per year).
- Performs mobilization and demobilization of hydroacoustic equipment in support of research operations. Designs and implements and/or directs implementation of data acquisition protocols aboard research vessel. Develops data acquisition protocols for hydroacoustic data interfacing.
- Implements hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, including collection calibration of data from hydroacoustic instruments.
- Maintains and troubleshoots scientific grade electronic instruments and equipment.
Required Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Valid Driver’s License
Competencies
- Knowledge of hydro-acoustic equipment in scientific research settings, with the ability to calibrate data from hydroacoustic instruments.
- Working knowledge of Echosounder and hydroacoustic instrument operational theory.
- Working knowledge of operational theory and system integration of oceanographical instruments, including CTD, rosette bottle sampler, hydrographic winch, sea cable termination, fluorometer, ADCP, flow sensors and related devices
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics for cables and circuits.
- Demonstrated skills in cable construction, cable splicing and soldering (Cat-5, use of diagnostic equipment), sea cable waterproofing and termination.
Experience
- Significant experience in troubleshooting and repair of electronic and software programs.
- Substantive years of experience in support of marine research and execution of required competencies.
- Experience at sea operating electronic equipment in support of marine research
Preferred Qualifications
- Post High School degree in the technical or marine-related field.
- ABYC Certification or ability to obtain within a year.
- Sea Bird Certification
- Knowledge of QA/QC of data products from shipboard hydroacoustic and oceanographic systems.
- Proficiency in the use of common mechanical tools and measuring devices associated with electrical circuits and electronic equipment.
- Working knowledge and understanding of operations and maintenance of hydrographic and oceanographic equipment including single and split-beam echosounders, multibeam echosounders, CTDs, ADCPs, and SVPs.
- Knowledge of shipboard data interleaving via NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 communications networks, with the ability to integrate various scientific data collection software to shipboard data network.
- Knowledge of budget and or fiscal processes, with the ability to management a budget for supply and equipment inventories.
- Strong problem solving skills, with the ability to locate, trouble shoot, and mitigate sources of shipboard acoustical noise, and maintain and troubleshoot marine electronic equipment and devices operating on both AC and DC circuits.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to operate and repair rosette bottle sampler, with CTD and bottle sampler deployment & instrument set up.
- Extensive experience in computer systems and equipment interfacing.
- Experience using hydroacoustic post-processing software for scientific purposes.
