Government & Public Sector Jobs in Saint Petersburg, FL (Now Hiring) — 5 open

Position Details

Dept Number/Name: 471000 - Florida Institute of Oceanography

Location: USF St. Petersburg

Salary Plan: Administrative

Job Code/Title: 6564 / Marine Captain I

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $75,000 – 120,000 (commensurate based on experience)

Position Number: 100016242                                                                               

 

Organizational Summary: 

The Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) is an institute of the University of South Florida that connects Florida’s academic, public, and private partners to the marine environment through oceanographic research, education, workforce development, and applied maritime operations. As a regional marine science and technology resource, FIO provides access to research vessels, specialized marine equipment, field operations expertise, and the Keys Marine Laboratory to support discovery, student learning, environmental stewardship, and solutions to complex coastal and ocean challenges.

Through its vessels, facilities, and experienced maritime professionals, FIO enables researchers, students, agencies, and industry partners to conduct work on, in, and around the water safely and effectively. FIO supports oceanographic research while also serving as a broader platform for interdisciplinary education, experiential learning, marine technology testing, public-private collaboration, and workforce development. As part of USF, FIO strengthens the university’s role as a leader in ocean science, coastal resilience, and marine innovation while serving the needs of Florida and the broader ocean community.

 

Position Description: 

The Research Vessel Captain / Marine Captain serves as the senior vessel authority and is responsible for the safe, compliant, effective, and mission-ready operation of assigned FIO uninspected research vessels. The position exercises command authority over vessel operations, crew, embarked personnel, students, researchers, vessel users, and mission activities while underway, alongside, and during mobilization and demobilization.

The Captain is responsible for navigation, piloting, voyage planning, vessel readiness, crew supervision, deck operations, mission execution, emergency preparedness, safety management, regulatory compliance, scientific mission support, vessel documentation, budget and procurement support, vendor coordination, and communication with FIO leadership, research users, port authorities, regulatory agencies, and external partners.

The updated role is broader than traditional vessel operation. The Captain functions as an operational manager for a mobile university research platform and is responsible for integrating maritime safety, research mission requirements, personnel management, risk controls, logistics, vessel maintenance coordination, scientific equipment deployment, and administrative reporting. The position requires independent judgment and decision-making in dynamic maritime environments, including remote operations, adverse weather, nighttime operations, emergency situations, research deployment evolutions, and multi-day expeditions. This position will report directly to the Manager Marine Operations on the USF St. Petersburg campus. 

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.