OverviewThe Coastal Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is headquartered at PNNL-Sequim, on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Our unique facility is the Department of Energy's only marine research laboratory, and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology critical to the nation's energy, environmental, and security future.
We focus on research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, marine engineering, environmental modeling and monitoring, and national security-the division is an emerging leader in three areas:
- Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy
- Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources
- Protecting coastal environments from security threats.
ResponsibilitiesThe Coastal Sciences Division (CSD) is based across different PNNL sites including Richland, Seattle, and Sequim, Washington and Portland, Oregon. This position is located on PNNL's Sequim Campus.
The PNNL-Sequim Campus is located on Washington's Olympic Peninsula and hosts the Marine Coastal Research Laboratory (MCRL), the Department of Energy's only dedicated marine laboratory. This unique facility and the capabilities of the Coastal Sciences researchers deliver science and technology that are critical to the nation's energy, environmental, and security future. The location of the campus facilitates a bench to bay to workflow to enable research supporting ocean-based applications such as renewable energy development, coastal resilience and planning, and research and technology development relevant to our sponsors. To learn more about the research conducted at the PNNL Sequim Campus, visit this link (https://www.pnnl.gov/pnnl-sequim).
Coastal Sciences Division encompasses a range of disciplines, including coastal ecosystems, environmental biogeochemistry, coastal resources modeling, technology development and biotechnology, biofuels development, marine energy development. These underpin three key research themes:
- Enabling sustainable development of ocean
- Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities on marine
- Protecting coastal environments from security
This position supports safe, efficient, and mission-focused marine research operations focused on vessel maintenance, equipment readiness, and operational planning. Reporting to the Marine Operations Team Leader, this position plays a critical role in maintaining marine vessels and trailers supporting scientific field activities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to the safe execution of marine operations. The selected candidate will work closely with marine operations staff, researchers, and other personnel to support vessel-based research programs and maintain operational excellence across the marine fleet.
Job duties and expectations include, but are not limited to:
- Supports field campaigns through vessel preparation, mobilization, deployment, and operational assistance
- Able to organize complex information, check work carefully, and maintain accuracy while managing multiple details
- Coordinate logistics associated with marine projects, including transportation, scheduling, vessel support, and supply management
- Perform and document preventative maintenance on vessels, trailers, marine engines, propulsion systems, and associated equipment
- Conduct vessel inspections, safety checks, operational readiness reviews, and emergency drills
- Diagnose and troubleshoot marine mechanical and electrical systems
- Support compliance and marine safety requirements, environmental regulations, and laboratory policies
- Assist in developing scopes of work and coordinating activities with vendors and contractors
- Serve as vessel crew during research operations and support vessel operations consistent with training, qualifications, and organizational requirements
- Assist with deployment, recovery, staging, and transportation of scientific equipment and marine research systems
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma/GED and 8 years of relevant marine experience -OR-
- Technical Institute Graduate/relevant AA degree and 6 years of relevant marine experience -OR-
- BS/BA or higher in science or engineering and 4 years of relevant marine experience
- Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting marine engines and propulsion systems
- Experience trailering, towing, launching, and recovering vessels
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting research vessels or marine science programs
- Experience with marine electrical systems
- Experience with MS Office 365
- USCG QMED credential (current or former)
- Rigging, lifting, or crane operation training
- Boater Education Card (or ability to obtain)
- CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain)
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment- Work in offices, shops, waterfront, vessel, and field environments.
- Frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
- Occasional overnight travel and multi-day field deployments.
- May require early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours.
- Operate or travel aboard marine vessels in varying conditions.
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
- Board vessels from docks and launch ramps.
- Work in confined or awkward spaces.
- Safely launch, recover, trailer, and tow vessels.
- Wear required PPE and work around active marine operations.
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $39.52/Hr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $59.38/Hr.
