Captain Sadie Ann Education and Research Vessel

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Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) has been with the UWS campus for over 55 years. We are dedicated to conducting environmental research and education that benefits the people industries and natural resources of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Region. This position will be critical to achieving successful sailing missions on the Sadie Ann LSRIs new education and research vessel ( successful candidate will have an excellent sailing record and exceptional talent for working with the Institute Director and Vessel Program Manager to help design and create a successful and sustainable new vessel program. This role requires a creative thinker and strong problem solver who can anticipate challenges develop practical solutions and adapt to the evolving needs of a new and innovative boat program. The successful candidate will be passionate about being part of an on-the-water program designed for all audiences. Candidates who demonstrate an affinity for working with researchers educators funders students and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on a new vessel program at UWS are encouraged to apply.

The Research Vessel Captain directs operates and maintains the institutions research vessel in support of the institutions educational and research activities. The Captain assists research staff and educators in planning and executing safe and efficient field operations and is responsible for developing maintaining and implementing vessel-specific operating manuals handbooks and comprehensive safety and emergency response plans in accordance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

The Sadie Ann is a 65-foot x 24-foot aluminum catamaran vessel with a diesel/electric parallel hybrid engine system. It will typically operate in the near-shore areas of western Lake Superior with the potential to sail on the Great Lakes. The Sadie Ann will be regulated under Title 46 CFR Subchapter T Great Lakes Exposed Waters ( Captain is responsible for overall operational oversight of the vessel including authoring and maintaining required safety documentation working with the United States Coast Guard on inspections and compliance supervising vessel crew conducting a general maintenance and repair schedule providing high levels of customer service and ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers crew and program staff.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Monitors vessel equipment on a routine basis and informs leadership of any equipment needing servicing and/or repair beyond the available staff capabilities

• May supervise full-time and part-time staff and student assistants allocated to the university research vessel

• Identifies and recommends the acquisition of new and replacement equipment materials and supplies to meet the current and future needs of the research vessel in support of the curriculum

• Carries out a schedule of maintenance and repair activities to ensure operational readiness of the vessel and auxiliary equipment

• Carries out a vessel safety program to include enforcing safety procedures and maintaining safety equipment.

• Assists program leadership in promoting appropriate user education/orientation programs to faculty staff and students regarding the vessel

• Captains the research vessel during education research and laboratory cruise sessions as needed

Department: Lake Superior Research Institute

Reports to: Research Center Director

Full-Time: 100% Limited 12-month ongoing appointment one vacancy

UW Standard Job Responsibilities:

• Captains the research vessel during education and research cruises.
• May supervise full-time and part-time staff and student assistants serving as crew.
• Carries out a schedule of maintenance and repair activities to ensure operational readiness of the vessel and auxiliary equipment.
• Carries out a vessel safety program to include enforcing safety procedures and maintaining safety equipment.
• Assists program leadership in promoting appropriate user education/orientation programs to faculty staff and students regarding the vessel.
• Monitors vessel equipment on a routine basis and informs leadership of any equipment needing servicing and/or repair beyond the available staff capabilities.
• Identifies and recommends the acquisition of new and replacement equipment materials and supplies to meet the current and future needs of the research vessel in support of operation of the vessel.

Additional duties specific to the position:

Vessel Operation and Management

• Develops maintains and implements vessel-specific operating manuals handbooks and comprehensive safety and emergency response plans in accordance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements
• Captains the research vessel during research education and outreach cruises.
• Provides leadership training and direction to crew members.
• Serves as the lead contact to carry out the required United States Coast Guard (USCG) certification schedule including any Certificate of Inspections (COI) required by the USCG ( a clean work environment on the vessel.
• Completes and maintains all shift records required by the USCG LSRI and UWS.
• Develops a vessel plan and prepares the vessel annually for spring launch cruises winterization and guardianage.
• Ensures the safety of the vessel and its passengers crew and cargo.
• Develops manages and implements provisions of the vessel operations and warranty manual including working with suppliers to stock critical parts.
• Monitors the vessel annual operations budget(s) and approves vessel operations expenditures.
• Oversee and maintain LSRIs small research boat fleet.

Planning and Program Support

• Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert for the Sadie Ann vessel acting as a knowledgeable ambassador who positively represents the Sadie Ann program across institutional partner and public audiences.
• Works with the Sadie Ann Outreach Program Manager (OPM) in planning the day-to-day operational activities for vessel programs that meet the objectives and strategies of the Sadie Ann Program.
• Assists OPM with developing budgets and requirements for various sailing missions and fundraising efforts such as grants or cooperative agreements.
• Participates in relevant associations and organizations in support of advancement of the LSRI and UWS missions.

Other Duties:

• Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to operate and safely dock a 65-foot vessel in all weather conditions.
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve vessel related mechanical issues and present possible solutions to Institute Director for budget discussion and approval.
• Skilled at Great Lakes-related navigation.
• Knowledge of Great Lakes science education and/or cultural issues.
• Affinity for collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve objectives.
• Ability to effectively manage staff foster teamwork and promote respectful workplace relationships.
• Well-organized self-motivated and self-directed.
• Skilled at critical thinking and problem solving.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use email internet Microsoft 365 and other computer software.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends nights and occasional travel.
• Ability to drive a vehicle for the purpose of conducting university business and meet the criteria for operation of state-owned-vehicles Policy 615.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Mariner field Business Management Environmental Studies or other relevant field from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant education training and experience demonstrating the capability to fill this position.
• U.S. Coast Guard Licensed as Master of Great Lakes self-propelled vessels of at least 100 GRT upon near coastal waters ( developing sailing plans for day and/or extended trips.
• Experience supervising crew staff or students.
• Experience developing vessel safety operations maintenance plans and logs.
• Must have and maintain FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit (MROP)
• Must have and maintain Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Must have and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Participate and pass alcohol and drug tests as mandated by the USCG and UWS including but not limited to pre-employment random post-accident/incident testing.
• Valid drivers license.

This position is currently ineligible for H1-B sponsorship. A qualification for this position includes independent eligibility to work within the United States upon hire date.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience as a passenger vessel captain.
• Experience working on the Great Lakes.
• Experience operating a vessel used for research education or outreach programs.
• Experience operating a catamaran in the 65-foot size class.

• Experience operating and/or maintaining a hybrid (diesel/electric) engine system.

• Experience preparing program budgets and schedules.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to achieve program objectives

Compensation & Benefits: Salary range for this position is: $62000 - $72000 annually. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance tax-advantaged savings accounts and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits please see: Date: As soon as possible

Contact Information:

For additional information about UW-Superior visit ;

For additional information about this position contact Michelle Seiler at .

Application Process:

Review of all complete applications will commence at 4:30pm on February 26 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

Click the Apply button to begin the application process or visit You will be prompted to log in or create a Workday account to continue.

Important: The application includes only one attachment field. Please upload all required documents in that single fieldeither as one combined file or as multiple files attached in the same upload area.

Applications will not be considered complete unless all required materials are submitted.

1.) Cover Letter that describes how your experience meets the qualifications of the position

2.) Resume

3.) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees earned if applicable

4.) Copy of current U.S. Coast Guard Captains license

5.) A statement indicating that your current license (1) is endorsed to sail on the Great Lakes and (2) allows you to operate a vessel up to 100-tons. If your current license does not meet the two criteria above describe necessary steps including time required to meet the criteria.

UW-Superior A Superior Place:

The University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identities of final candidates must be revealed upon request. According to the Attorney General final candidates under Wisconsin law means the five candidates who are considered most qualified for the position. See Wis. Stat. Sec. 19.36(7)(a).

Employment will require a criminal background check and if you have prior work history within the last seven years with Universities of Wisconsin or State of Wisconsin agencies a personnel file review check for employee misconduct. It will also require your references to answer questions regarding employee misconduct sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University reserves the right to check references with notice given to the candidates at the appropriate time in the process.

Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

For UW-Superior campus safety information and crime statistics review the Annual Security Report or contact the University Police Department Safety at for a printed copy.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age pregnancy disability status as a protected veteran or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.