Electrical/Control Systems Technician: Ship\'s Electrical Specialist 2025 Pool

This recruitment will be used to fill future full-time, hourly, intermittent, limited duration or regular status (as needed) Ship's Electrical Specialist positions in the Ship Operations unit within the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University.

The Ship's Electrical Specialist will be committed to following safe working practices and be responsible for the continued operation and maintenance of the ships electronic and control systems on the R/V Taani. This includes systems for ship propulsion, navigation, power management, and overboard handling systems integral to continued ship operations and science missions. R/V Taani is a new and heavily automated vessel requiring significant development of procedures, documentation of issues, and electronic and in-person communication with internal and external stakeholders and vendors.

The Electrical Specialist reports to the Chief Engineer on the ship, and they will be required to employ a certain level of autonomy and independence when it comes to their work schedule and task priorities. They will be an on-call day worker who is outside the engineer watch schedule and responsible for maintaining their own workload.

• 55% - Maintains electrical systems related to electronic navigation aids, radio communication, dynamic positioning, PLC's, operational technology sensors, onboard computers and networking, high voltage, engine plant automation, safety and security systems, ships electric motors, and any other systems relying on electricity on the vessel. Updates computer maintenance management system and other records upon service or repair of ship's electrical machinery and equipment.
• 20% - Develops and maintains critical documentation and the tracking and reporting of routine inspections and preventative maintenance of all ship systems responsible for. Provides additional assistance to chief engineer and assistant engineers in handling routine work items and inspections, especially as they relate to electrical systems. Also assists in the installation and at-sea repair of overboard handling systems under the direction of more senior engineering personnel and marine technicians.
• 10% - Coordinates with shore support and company technicians for work on shipboard electrical equipment.
• 10% - Assigns tasks to accomplish prescribed work, gives direction concerning work procedures, communicates standards of work, reviews work of employees for conformance to standards, provides informal assessment of workers performance to supervisor.
• 5% - Actively participates in shipboard drills and emergency training, including training ashore. Maintains firefighting and safety equipment, and fights fires, administering First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) when required.

• Two years of journey-level experience planning, designing, installing, and maintaining building pneumatic electronic, and electrical control and distribution systems and possession of one of the following Oregon Electrician's Licenses appropriate to the work to be performed:
• General Supervising Electrician License
• General Journeyman Electrician License

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Valid STCW Medical Certificate.
• STCW endorsements as appropriate for the position.
• Ability to obtain a passport.
• Meet U.S. Coast Guard drug testing requirements.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Ability to work autonomously managing ship critical electrical and control systems.

• Engineers license with Electro Technical Officer endorsement.
• Mechanical/Marine/Electrical Engineering degree or 5 years’ experience with electromechanical systems and automation controls.
• Prior research vessel experience or similar experience with winch controls and Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS).

The employee in this position is required to work on board OSU operated research vessels at sea on research cruises that may last from one day to three weeks or more before returning to port, in ocean and weather conditions which are highly variable. The incumbent must not be incapacitated by sea-sickness. The ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 40 pounds is required. Ship Operations is a seven day per week operation; therefore, weekend and holiday work may be required. Shift and/or work assignment may change based on operational needs.