Staff Associate/Senior Instructional Specialist Marine Transportation

• Ability to relate well to others, and build co-operative and collaborative working relationships.
• Excellent computer and software literacy and experience in electronics hardware.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise academic and practical work by students with a high degree of professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Hold Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation or related field.
• Current USCG Merchant Mariner Credential as Third Mate—or higher level license.
• Minimum of five years full time experience in professional service supporting the maritime industry/field.

Position:                                           Staff Associate/Senior Instructional Specialist Marine Transportation

Posting:                                             December 2022     

Start date                                         ASAP                                                        

Position Number:                           FY23-16   

Division:                                           Academic Division; Marine Transporation Department

Union Affiliation:                          Association of Professional Administrators (APA)

Supervision received:                   Marine Transportation Department Chair and Dean of

                                                            Undergraduate Studies

Supervision exercised:                 Subordinate professional, classified, and

                                                            student personnel in areas of responsibility

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is seeking applications for a full time position of Instructional Specialist for Simulation courses. The Instructional Specialist is responsible for assisting the Marine Transportation Department (MT) faculty in developing courses and operating navigation simulators in a manner consistent with Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s (MMA) USCG approved program. These simulation-based courses may include Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Bridge Resource Management, Applied Shiphandling, Mate of Towing, Dangerous Liquid Cargos, Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems and Dynamic Positioning. An Instructional Specialist must have a high level of understanding of the knowledge and skills taught in the course, in addition to having experience in their practical application. The successful candidate would serve in the MT department reporting directly to the Department Chair during the academic terms and to the Information Technology Division in the summer months.  While this position is not a faculty position, applicants need to be comfortable supporting faculty in USCG Deck license courses and associated navigation simulation labs and courses in seamanship, lifesaving, and vessel safety. Instructional Specialists will participate in the annual Sea Term training cruise and be subject to random drug testing.

General Responsibilities:

• Enhance the quality of education by assisting faculty in the professional MT courses and labs with navigation simulators and in seamanship, and vessel operations and safety in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Operate navigation simulators during training evolutions including role-playing as radio operator of passing vessels, Vessel Traffic Services, pilots and tugs to provide a realistic training environment and ensure the training objectives of the exercises are met. This includes start up and securing of simulators as required.
• Perform pre-checks to ensure simulator is operating properly troubleshooting any technical issues and oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the simulator.
• Assist the simulation instructor in the development of new simulation exercises; validate simulator exercises, databases and hydrodynamic modeling.
• Troubleshoot any reported simulation system issue in an effort to repair the Academy’s simulator systems’ hardware and software malfunctions.
• Liaise with IT Department with Procurement of hardware upgrades, routine maintenance and upgrades of simulator platforms, PCs, and control room.
• Work with simulator vendors to resolve technical issues in a timely manner to ensure optimal operation of all simulation systems.
• Assist in managing software upgrades and hardware replacements to campus simulation systems; complete preventative maintenance for all simulator systems and ancillary equipment.
• Maintain a high level of currency about industry developments, course requirements, STCW, USCG changes, and amendments by attending training, conferences, and seminars as requested by management.
• Maintain simulator spaces, briefing rooms and operator stations in a clean and orderly manner.
• Participate in the annual Sea Term by supporting the Deck Training Coordinator in instruction of labs/classes and STCW assessments.