TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) https://www.unols.org/ was established by charter in 1972 to organize and coordinate use of federally supported oceanographic facilities in the U.S. UNOLS is an advisory body that focuses on advising federal agencies on all aspects of oceanographic infrastructure. UNOLS membership is comprised of 58 member academic research institutions with 14 of them operating a fleet of 17 research vessels. The UNOLS organization consists of a UNOLS Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, and the Council (18 members total) plus 10 committees that focus on different aspects conducting oceanographic research using UNOLS facilities. From the charter, the UNOLS Office provides "staff support and secretariat services to the UNOLS organization, the UNOLS Chair, Council, and Committees as directed. The Office shall serve as a focal point for UNOLS correspondence and for central files on facilities, schedules, user requirements and related information. The Office shall advertise, arrange, support and report on UNOLS, Council and Committee meetings. It shall arrange and manage contracts for blanket services to the UNOLS fleet and UNOLS institutions under guidance from the Chair and Council, and at the behest of sponsoring agencies."
The UNOLS Technical Services Manager is responsible for the recruitment of Marine Technicians for the UNOLS operating institutions plus their retention and training. The Technical Services manager is also responsible for managing the UNOLS relief personnel process, and for facilitating the coordination among all the various ship operators with regard to the pool of available personnel. The Technical Services Manager directly oversees the Technician Pool that avails Marine Technician to operating institutions who have need for supplement of Marine Technicians on the research vessels of the Academic Research Fleet. The Technical Services Manager also directly supports the Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) community in a variety of ways in addition to the direct responsibility for the Marine Technicians. The Technical Services Manager spearheads RVTEC initiatives to further enhance the research fleet science system and support capabilities. For example - the Technical Services Manager has coordinated the academic research vessel fleet initiative to enhance at-sea Internet capabilities to better support underway scientific work.
The Technical Services Manager also provides direct support to the National Science Foundation's Program Director for Ocean Instrumentation and Technical Services. This support includes activities such as collecting and analyzing operating and science support statistics for the fleet, investigating and reporting on issues of importance within the shipboard science support realm, establishment and support of technical and scientific workshops for important fleet science support issues, and providing science support proposal reviews.
The Technical Services Manager supports the both the UNOLS Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary as may be needed in execution of UNOLS activities as required by the UNOLS Charter and as directed by the federal agencies. This support can include assisting in coordinating the organization's activities through meetings and maintaining a central point of contact for the membership primarily as it relates to facilities. Processing, analyzing, and archiving ship operating statistics for federal agency reports. Developing statistics, graphics and charts in response to inquiries from federal agencies and member institutions. The Technical Services Manager is an important participant and contributor to UNOLS committee activities including the Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee and the Fleet Improvement Committee. It is also likely the Technical Services Manager will also support other UNOLS Committees such as the Deep Submergence Science Committee, and the Marine Seismic Research Oversight Committee.
Hosting the UNOLS office is a prestigious award for the University of Washington. For the next 5+ years UW will continue to be the center of gravity for federally supported oceanographic research.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
50% - Manage the Marine Technician Program in direct support of the Academic Research Fleet. This includes:
•Evaluating all UNOLS institutions' technical operations in order to better understand and to facilitate shipboard and shore-side duties and operations.
•Maintaining a UNOLS fleet-wide system for exchange of full-time technicians
•Working closely with Texas A&M University in administering the program incl. finding, scheduling and hiring aspects of the Tech Pool.
•In cooperation with the National Science Foundation's Program Director for Ocean Instrumentation and Technical Services, as well as the UNOLS Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) Chair, develop & maintain a training program for technicians with a focus on increasing versatility and skill level.
•Work with the RVTEC Chair to develop and maintain an evaluation/certification program to evaluate technicians with regard to experience, specific technical skills, education, training and availability for both full-time and contract personnel.
•Continually work to increase the visibility and information regarding jobs on research vessels.
•Maintain a Web page on the UNOLS Web site specifically oriented to providing information to job seekers.
•Maintain a database of contract technicians not currently in the UNOLS ships of the Academic Research Fleet, who could sail on cruises as needed.
•Coordinate with the UNOLS institutions the implementation of the Technician Pool with the operators, and to facilitate working relationships with the Technical Managers of the fleet.
•Evaluate ship schedules for potential problems with staffing and to recognize opportunities for increasing the technical support if necessary.
•Work closely with representatives from the UNOLS institutions to ensure the shipboard science technical support needs of the operating institutions are represented and aligned with federal agency goals and directives.
•The UNOLS Operating Institutions include a number of world-renowned oceanographic research institutions. They include: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Scripps Institution of Oceanography; University of Hawaii; University of Alaska Fairbanks; University of Miami; University of Delaware; Louisiana Universities; Marine Consortium of University of Minnesota; University of Rhode Island; Bermuda Inst. Of Ocean Sciences; Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory; Oregon State University; University of Georgia University of Washington
•There are also 44 other world-renowned oceanographic research institutions that are also important participants in UNOLS. They can be found at https://www.unols.org/what-unols/directory-members.
•Facilitate the Satellite Network Advisory Group (SatNAG) Work with the MATE Internship Program Manager and vessel operators to facilitate MATE/UNOLS Long Term internships.
•Oversee the online equipment inventory.
•Maintain accurate and up-to-date information on technical related information on the UNOLS.org website.
•Serve as the point of contact person for instrumentation and equipment questions from the UNOLS community.
15% - Provide support to the federal funding agencies as requested. This includes providing direct support to the NSF Program Director for Ocean Instrumentation and Technical Services:
•Collect and analyze operating and science support statistics for the fleet,
•Investigate and report on issues of importance within the shipboard science support realm,
•Establish and support technical and scientific workshops for important fleet science support issues,
•Assist in revision of the Technical Support Proposal Guidelines as may be necessary,
•Provide shipboard science support technical proposal reviews.
15% - Provide support to the UNOLS Committees including the Research Vessel Technical Enhancement and Fleet Improvement Committees as well as others as may be required (e.g. Deep Submergence Science, Marine Seismic Research Oversight Committees, & Maintaining an Environment of Respect Aboard Ships).
10% - Facilitate communications throughout the UNOLS organization: Provide, upon request, information to UNOLS institutions and the funding agencies. Proactively work with international research vessel operators to facilitate the sharing of best practices, shared use of valuable national resources, and general collaboration on oceanographic research activities. Moderate the RVTEC listserv archive
5% - Support operations and management of national oceanographic facilities. Assist in the development of UNOLS positions and policies.
5% - other duties as required.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in any science or engineering field with minimum four-five years of related experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
•Normally working remotely but can also work from the UNOLS Office space at the UW School of Oceanography.
•Travel to support UNOLS committee meetings across the United States.
•Be available to support response to short-fuse federal agency requests for fleet statistics, history, and operating narratives - often in response to immediate requests from the federal funding agencies, Office of Management and Budget, Congressional staffs, and other federal agency entities.
•Ability to work as long and quickly as necessary to meet such short-fuse requests regardless of normal workday standards.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.