TITLE: Relief Captain
DEPARTMENT: Coral Reef
LOCATION: Miami, FL. - 80 ft research vessel
REPORTS TO: VP of Conservation Research
STATUS: Full-time, Temp, Non-Exempt
DURATION: Month to Month
PAY RATE: $42.31/hr.
Start ASAP - March 18th
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Relief Captain is responsible for the safe operation, navigation, and management of the vessel and crew. The Relief Captain ensures full compliance with all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, Shedd policies, and safety standards. This role requires leadership, strong technical and administrative knowledge, and excellent communication skills to provide a safe, efficient, productive, and enjoyable experience for passengers and crew.
TIME COMMITMENT:
- 12/14 hour days
- 10-day trips with 6 days docked in between until September
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Demonstrate and represent commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
- Conduct safe and legal operation and navigation of the vessel while at sea and oversee the safety of all persons on board.
- Adhere to institutional customer service policies to ensure internal and external customer service satisfaction.
- Assist with the day-to-day and preventative maintenance and repairs of the vessel.
- Maintain and complete legal requirements and documents for proper compliance and/or clearance of the vessel in local, national, and international waters (if Bahamas destination).
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety regulations with special regard to the U.S. Coast Guard including overseeing inspections and administering the Coast Guard drug-free policy.
- Maintain clear communication with programmatic users of the vessel and Shedd stakeholders.
- Maintain vessel logs, records, and required documentation (e.g., maintenance, safety drills, incident reports).
- Maintain knowledge of current navigational technology, weather forecasting, and route planning.
- Provide/Support/Facilitate/Ensure the safety of all people on board
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education: High school degree required. College degree preferred.
Experience:
- 5+ years relevant work experience
- Familiarity with vessel maintenance, mechanical systems, and emergency repairs.
- Maintaining diesel engines and gasoline outboard engines
- Proven leadership and crew management skills
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make critical decisions under pressure
- Excellent communication and customer service
- Knowledge of maritime laws and regulations
- Must have a calm and charismatic personality and be able to greet and socialize with guests
Designations/Certifications:
- USCG Merchant Mariner License (Captain’s license) – Minimum 100 gross tons, near coastal, all STCW endorsements
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid U.S. passport
- First aid training up to date
- AED/CPR training
- Current T.W.I.C. (Transportation Workers Identification Card)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Ability to work long shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Lift, pull, push, and carry up to 50 pounds
- Sit
- Stand
- Stoop
- Walk
- Physical Exertion and/or Muscular Strain
- Maintain balance (equilibrium)
- Climb up and down vertical ladders and stairways
- Step over high door sills and coamings and move through restricted accesses
- Manipulate mechanical devices using manual and digital dexterity, and strength
- Crouch, kneel and stoop
- Use hand tools such as spanners, valve wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
This person may be exposed to:
- Long hours in isolated settings
- Living with a small community of people 24/7
- Sharing a room with co-captain
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Tight spaces
- Water
- Smoke
- Heat
- Cold-
- Air particles
- Falling materials
- Electrical shock
- Hazardous chemicals
- Fire
- Emergency vehicle traffic
- Low noise
- Moderate and loud noise
BENEFITS WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program
- Employee discounts
- Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. 
