"Boat Captain"

Job Details

Classification Title: Watercraft Captain II

Classification Code: KD60

Pay Band: 6

Subject to Drug/Alcohol Testing Guidelines: No

Subject to Credit Check: No

Internal Title: Boat Captain

Department: Gupta College of Science

Position Type: PCLS - Slotted Classified

Full or Part Time: Full-Time

Basis: 12 mo.

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week

Normal Work Schedule: Mon-Thu: 8am-5pm; Fri: 8am-12:30pm

Coastal Carolina University is currently accepting applications for a full-time position: Boat Captain in the Gupta College of Science.

How to Apply: Interested candidates may apply online at https://jobs.coastal.edu/postings/90476. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operates the 53 ft. Explorer and University’s smaller vessels, ensuring the safety of personnel, vessel, and equipment while on vessels, in transit, and during operations. Performs preventative maintenance on all University vessels, including equipment associated with these vessels.
• Maintains and operates vessels and associated equipment in accordance with US Coast Guard and SC Department of Natural Resources regulations. This includes regular inspection of the vessels’ operational capacities and hardware, as well as instrumentation for seaworthiness and function. Writes specifications for major repairs, obtains bids, and oversees major work done to University vessels in accordance with United States Coast Guard regulations.
• Coordinates with the other members of the nautical staff and vessel users on preparing, outfitting, and scheduling of vessels for specific tasks. Works with the Dean of the Gupta College of Science and other members of the nautical staff to formulate boat policy and develop long term plans for nautical operations.
• Takes responsibility and authority in regulating activities aboard University vessels and determines the conditions under which all tasks can be performed safely. Supervises a deck mate or deck hand as required by float plans. Trains/instructs students and faculty in the safe operations and standard techniques for conducting scientific sampling at sea.
• Oversees mobilization/demobilization and safe deployment of instrumentation for education/research/extension purposes, including rigging and data acquisition in areas of expertise. Assists vessel users in planning and reviewing the operational plan for a given activity prior to leaving the dock and provides users a copy of the navigation log and, where appropriate, digital copies of vessel-based data. In collaboration with administrators and end users, conducts an annual assessment of the University’s nautical operations, determines areas for improvement, and identifies trends in basic marine science instrumentation.

Required: A bachelor’s degree and experience as master of an ocean-going vessel of at least 100 tons.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in natural science or engineering, ten (10) years’ operating experience as a master or captain, experience collecting oceanographic data, working with faculty and students, and training and supervision of students in boat usage, navigation, and safety.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Employee must possess all of the skills required in the operation of a research vessel including navigational skills, knowledge and ability to perform preventative maintenance, knowledge of USCG regulations regarding navigation and safety, scheduling and monitoring of boat usage and the training and supervision of students involved in the above functions. Such training and skills are obtained through training courses in navigation, seamanship, and mechanics and with experience. Employee is also expected to have the skills and experience necessary to oversee planning and safe deployment of instrumentation for education, research, and extension purposes including rigging and data acquisition in areas of individual expertise or that are the primary focus of the operations group and faculty and students.

Watercraft Captain II (KD60/61121732/FTE-S01076P), full-time position with benefits. SC State Pay Band: 06. Salary range: $47,588.00 (minimum) – $67,817.00 (midpoint). Normal work hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00am to 12:30pm. Must be flexible to meet the special scheduling needs of the university.

Coastal Carolina University is a public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, South Carolina, just nine miles from the Atlantic coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach. Coastal Carolina University enrolls over 10,000 students from 49 states and 55 nations. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate and master’s degrees of national and/or regional significance in the arts and sciences, business, humanities, education, and health and human services, a specialist degree in instructional technology, and PhD degrees in marine science: coastal and marine systems science and education sciences.

The Gupta College of Science works to provide a premier and experience-driven STEM education to all of its students. The college’s approach weaves together a strong liberal arts core, engaged STEM pedagogy, and high-impact practices associated with experiential learning to provide the highest quality STEM education possible. As one of the largest colleges at the University, the Gupta College of Science offers an impressive array of distinctive undergraduate degree programs, focused concentrations, and minors along with master’s and doctoral degree programs. The college is committed to providing students and faculty with cutting-edge scientific equipment, instrumentation, and marine vessels for both teaching and research purposes.

The Burroughs and Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies within the Gupta College of Science also offers the potential for collaboration with faculty engaged in related coastal and marine research issues. The University also manages the Waites Island Anne Tilghman Boyce Coastal Reserve, an undeveloped complex of ocean frontage, fresh and saltwater marshes, tidal creeks, and upland forests, that provides a living laboratory for both teaching and research opportunities.

The University provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, national origin, or because an employee or applicant for employment is an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, an Armed Forces service medal veteran, a recently separated veteran, or an active-duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or other “protected veteran,” as defined by law. Coastal Carolina University is an EO/AA employer.

Required Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree and experience as master of an ocean-going vessel of at least 100 tons.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in natural science or engineering, ten (10) years’ operating experience as a master or captain, experience collecting oceanographic data, working with faculty and students, and training and supervision of students in boat usage, navigation, and safety.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Employee must possess all of the skills required in the operation of a research vessel including navigational skills, knowledge and ability to perform preventative maintenance, knowledge of USCG regulations regarding navigation and safety, scheduling and monitoring of boat usage and the training and supervision of students involved in the above functions. Such training and skills are obtained through training courses in navigation, seamanship, and mechanics and with experience. Employee is also expected to have the skills and experience necessary to oversee planning and safe deployment of instrumentation for education, research, and extension purposes including rigging and data acquisition in areas of individual expertise or that are the primary focus of the operations group and faculty and students.

Posting Number: FTE-S01076P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: 10/06/2025

Job Open Date: 09/17/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes