Vessel Captain College of Natural Resources & Sciences Marine Vessel
Job # 549636
Close Date: December 14, 2025
At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.
Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs - all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.
Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.
(Job # 549636) Administrator II, Vessel Captain, Salary Range: $5,053 - $16,221 Monthly, Hiring Range: $5,053 - $9,810 Monthly. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. This is a full-time, permanent position in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences. This position is an Administrator II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml . This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits .
Position Summary: The Vessel Captain ensures the safe operation and efficient administration of the Research Vessel North Wind and Research Vessel Coral Sea, 78-foot and 90-foot vessels in support of education and research in Marine Science (Oceanography, Fisheries Biology, Biology, Wildlife, Geology, and Chemistry) and related fields.
Key Responsibilities: Operations: - Ensure safe operations of the R/V Coral Sea, R/V North Wind, and any equipment, smaller vessels, facilities, etc. used during operations or maintenance.
- Provide basic vessel orientation and safety briefing to cruise participants.
- Operate vessel, direct ship crew, and actively coordinate with scientific party during mobilization and while at sea to ensure safe, efficient operations that optimize realization of educational or research goals.
- Ensure that vessel operations and culture are inclusive to the degree possible subject to safety considerations.
- Adjust operations or operational schedules as needed in response to conditions (weather, sea state, bar passage).
Maintenance and Readiness: - Ensure that the R/V Coral Sea, R/V North Wind, and any supporting equipment, smaller vessels, facilities, etc. used during operations or maintenance are maintained in good working order.
- Maintain the R/V Coral Sea and R/V North Wind in general readiness for operations to accommodate variability arising from weather.
- Ensure that vessels are maintained and upgraded as required to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations and to meet best practices for safety and environmental impact.
Administration/Scheduling: - Schedule cruises, maintenance, and personnel to maximize operational readiness and effective execution of research and educational missions.
- Identify and support opportunities for leveraged operations and ancillary data collection.
Administration/Financial: - Develop and execute relevant budgets and monitor expenditures, paying close attention to current and future needs and staying within budgetary allocations.
- Actively communicate anticipated or emergency needs and associated timelines or constraints.
- Lead or provide relevant support development of contract bids and research proposals.
- Actively market the R/V North Wind to potential contractors as a source of external revenue and support development of relevant proposals.
- Coordinate with Director of Marine Operations to ensure appropriate balance across mission portfolio and consistency with university mission.
Administration/Supervision: - Supervise and schedule vessel engineer, mate(s), and deck hands to accomplish operational, maintenance, and other mission elements, and to maintain crew well-being.
- Recruit and schedule contract staff (e.g., reserve captains) as required to achieve mission objectives, subject to budgetary constraints.
- Maintain communication and coordination with Director of Marine Operations in support of all responsibilities.
Administration/Outreach: - Serve in a public relations capacity as a liaison to the local and campus communities
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include: - Broad knowledge of navigational electronics
- Broad knowledge of CFR and USCG regulations
- Broad knowledge of use, repair and maintenance of shipboard machinery including maintenance and repair of main engines, gears, generators, salt and freshwater pumps, hydraulic systems, winches, davits, AC/DC electrical systems (AC & DC), computers, navigation electronics.
- Understanding of diesel-powered vessels and their maintenance
- Ability to maneuver and operate vessel safely under a variety of ocean and weather conditions, including harbor entrances and constrained marina settings
- Ability to work effectively within an organization, to include ability to supervise and mentor vessel personnel, and to communicate and coordinate with administrators or supervisors
- Computer skills including the use of email, MS Word and Excel
Minimum Qualifications: Valid USCG 200-ton Master or greater Current USCG Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC) Current TSA Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) Radar Observer Unlimited/ARPA Current CPR/1st Aid/AED card FFC Marine Radio Operator Permit Valid California driver’s license, must obtain within 6 months of hire ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) endorsement, must obtain within 6 months of hire Recent experience with a vessel of similar size (or larger) and characteristics of the R/V Coral Sea and R/V North Wind in a variety of near shore ocean conditions including rough seas and rough bar crossings. Knowledge and experience with Safety Management System (SMS), Preventative Maintenance Program (PMP) and Safety Data Sheets. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication, including ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population. Demonstrated strong record-keeping skills Ability to pass pre-employment and ongoing random drug screening Ability to pass pre-employment background check and credit check.
Preferred Qualifications: Recent experience operating a twin-screw vessel Broad knowledge of navigational electronics including but not limited to GPS, Radar, ECDIS, AIS, Satellite compass, VHF & SSB radio Experience on research vessels, Experience deploying and recovering scientific equipment Experience monitoring and interpreting ship-board sensors Experience working effectively with university faculty, students, research scientists, and others onboard a vessel Experience with USCG COI passenger vessel and inspections Experience with west coast harbors and bar-crossings Familiarity with the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Research Vessel Safety Standards Experience with USCG small passenger and uninspected research vessels Experience with budgetary planning, allocations, and reporting including shipyard budgeting and scheduling
Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the
Apply Now button:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for at least three professional references
Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on December 14, 2025.
Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.
We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.
Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.
Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. This position will generally require presence on-site at the vessel but telework can be scheduled on an as-needed/as-warranted basis.
CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu .
Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.
This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.
Class Code: 3312
Publication Date: November 14, 2025
Advertised: Nov 14 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
