Lead Captain

Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is a seasonal, residential field station located on Appledore Island, in Kittery, Maine (10 miles from our dock in Portsmouth, NH). In operation for over 60 years, SML is the largest and oldest marine laboratory in the country focused on undergraduate education. SML's mission is to provide outstanding experiential, place-based education, and to support innovative research programs focused on understanding and sustaining the marine environment. Jointly operated by Cornell University and University of New Hampshire (UNH), our year-round office is located at UNH in Durham, NH.

The key focus of the Research Vessel Captain (Lead Captain) is to operate, maintain and ensure the safety of the inspected passenger vessels and all other elements of the Appledore waterfront to provide transportation, supplies and program services to Appledore participants. Reporting to the SML Director of Operations, the Lead Captain will supervise waterfront staff, including two seasonal captains, crew, volunteers and student staff. Assist in coordinating vessel schedules to accommodate program needs, and transportation of passengers and freight. Complete and manage routine preventative maintenance and troubleshoot problems on all SML watercraft including vessels, motors, floats, moorings, barges, and docks. Schedule and oversee yard periods for all vessels, develop and implement a maintenance plan for all waterfront vessels and related equipment, and work with SML leadership to ensure all vessel needs are addressed. Ensure that all vessels have proper documentation, inspections, permits, and registrations. Oversee, operate, and train other staff on all laboratory and oceanographic, fishing and scientific equipment during academic activities with particular attention to the safety of all vessel occupants. Serve as a maritime instructor in SML courses and in conjunction with Director of Operations will oversee the waterfront- and vessel-related training of all SML staff. The Lead Captain is expected to be available in case of emergency during the operating season.

This is a ~76% FTE (40-week), benefits-eligible position. Typically, the active dates of this position run from approximately the first week of March through the last week of November annually (varying slightly based on pay period dates). In 2027, expected active dates will be 2/27/2027-12/03/2027; however, there may be an opportunity to begin as early as 1/2/2027. In 2028, the anticipated active dates will be 2/26/2028-12/01/2028.

Total starting annual salary: $55,000-$60,000.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Operate the inspected passenger vessels and all other vessels owned and operated by the Shoals Marine Laboratory. When needed, operate other vessels managed by UNH to support SML's mission.
• Supervise and train all crew members working aboard SML vessels.
• Ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.
• Train and evaluate individualsto safely operate SML vessels, as appropriate.
• Operate and instruct staff, instructors and students in the safe use of oceanographic, fishing, scientific and vessel equipment.
• Provide instruction on navigation, vessel operation, vessel maintenance, and other maritime-related topics.
• Safely operate fork trucks, frontend loader, tractor, cranes, and other equipment as trained and appropriate to support SML operations.
• Act as a representative of SML and each parent university when dealing with students, instructors, vendors, and the public.

• Conduct general administrative duties including maintaining vessel logs, scheduling waterfront staff, leading waterfront team meetings, attending staff and instructor meetings, maintaining records, maintaining waterfront training records, utilizing email and other software.
• Develop short- and long-term vessel maintenance plans and manage the waterfront budget accordingly.
• Work within UNH's online purchasing portals to process P-card purchases, set up vendors, and purchase orders.
• Work with UNH and other partners on waterfront and vessel related issues.
• Take a leadership role in vessel replacement planning and procurement.
• Work with the proper agencies to ensure that all vessels have the proper logs, documentation, inspections, permits, and registrations. Including but not limited to:
• U.S. Coast Guard inspections and documentation
• State registrations, inspections and documentation
• Director of Ports and Harbors
• FCC
• Life Raft and EPIRB inspections and documentation.

• Provide, schedule, and manage routine and preventative maintenance, and troubleshoot issues for all SML vessels, waterfront facilities and associated equipment including, but not limited to:
• Vessels, floats, moorings, docks, barges, equipment (oceanographic, fishing, scientific, vessel, and maintenance), etc.
• Maintenance may be conducted on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, and structural (including corrosion remediation and painting) systems found on waterfront department assets.
• Schedule, manage, and participate in yard periods for vessels.
• Prioritize vessel maintenance and needs to avoid impacts on the operating season.
• Set up and manage vendors and contractors including related paperwork.
• Perform hands-on work on the vessels along with the yard to complement maintenance as needed.
• Provide recommendations and implement improvements to existing equipment and vessels.

Other duties as assigned to support SML mission and operations ~10%

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• U.S. Coast Guard 50 ton near-coastal license.
• 4 or more years of captain or equivalent marine operations experience.
• Strong background in vessel maintenance including dieseland gas engines, mechanical systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, steel and aluminum corrosion mitigation, marine paint systems, etc.
• Experience maintaining vessel records and logs in accordance with USCG regulations.
• Experience managing the annual USCG inspection process.
• Experience operating and maintaining vessels similar to those in our current fleet.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Appropriate FCC licensing, for USCG license held.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work well with students, instructors, and other staff members in an isolated, and socially and physically demanding environment involving long hours.
• Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of all baggage, materials and supplies both on Appledore and on the mainland.
• Willingness to respond to off-hour calls for emergencies.
• Strong computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• This position is residential during SML'soperating season; 4-5 nights per week in residence on Appledore Island is expected from April - October, with occasional multi-night trips during other months, and longer residential stretches sometimes required. SML is working to expand our season, which may require more time in residence on Appledore in future years.

Other Requirements:

• Selected candidates must be able to successfully participate in pre-employment and random drug testing program, per USCG requirements.
• Meet the University of New Hampshire's hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (pre-employment and regular background checks are required).
• Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is a residential, teaching facility located on Appledore Island, Maine. The island field station is open seasonally, and supports students, faculty, visitors and staff in a close-knit, sustainable community.Room and board are provided on Appledore for island staff during the operating season. All staff serve the island community as a team with each department working together to support SML's programs. It is everyone's responsibility to foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.
• Living and working on a remote island is a unique experience which requires that everyone pitch in to help, even when it is not part of their job description, or during their scheduled hours. This includes but is not limited to helping clean up after meals, helping transport goods from the vessels to other locations on the island,and generally being supportive and helpful with other members of our community.
• The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. AllUNHyouth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree or technical/vocational school degree.
• U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton near-coastal license or greater.
• Knowledge of local waters and/or operational experience in tight harbors and unique docking locations.
• Remote field station or marine laboratory experience.
• Advanced emergency and medical training, will train as needed.
• Strong interest in education, the environment, and marine affairs.
• Experience working as an educator/trainer.

Applicant Instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents - additional documents can be added to the Application Questions section of the application)

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Compensation Pay Range:

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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