Position Information Department Marine Operations (RMO) Position Title Academic Wage Appt - Hourly Job Title Academic Wage-Hourly: 2025 Motorboat Operator Training Course Instructor Pool Appointment Type Academic Wage Job Location Newport Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Job Summary Oregon State University’s Ship Operations unit invites applications for future full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, hourly academic wage (as needed) Motorboat Operator Training Course Instructor positions. Appointments are anticipated to last up to one year from appointment date.
Under the supervision of the Boating Safety Officer (BSO), the Watercraft Safety Education Assistant contributes to the delivery and coordination of OSU’s Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC)—a required safety certification for faculty, staff, students, and research collaborators who operate small boats in support of education and research. This intermittent position is part of a qualified instructional pool that helps ensure training compliance and student-to-instructor ratio requirements are met during MOTC sessions.
The Watercraft Safety Education Assistant plays a critical role in implementing hands-on, competency-based learning in classroom, field, and on-water settings. Working independently and in collaboration with the Small Boat Program (SBP) team, this position helps ensure the successful delivery, review, and improvement of watercraft safety instruction across diverse instructional sites and audiences.
As one of only three Land, Sea, Space and Sun Grant universities in the nation, OSU serves Oregon and the world through our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, our marine research center in Newport, field station in Port Orford, and our award-winning E-campus. With over $400 million in competitive research awards per year, OSU continues to lead the way with practical, impact-driven research that improves lives, protects natural resources, and generates economic growth to transform our future.
This posting will be used to fill multiple openings. Why OSU? Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit:
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Future and current OSU employees can use the to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities The MOTCI works as a member of a team of Instructors to provide safe, reliable and inclusive access to the MOTC, a required safety training for OSU researchers, students and collaborators.
Educational Delivery – 60%
1. Deliver established curriculum for the Motorboat Operator Training Course in classroom, dockside, and on-water environments.
2. Tailor instructional approaches to meet the needs of adult learners and OSU-affiliated research personnel.
3. Reinforce key learning outcomes related to water safety, vessel handling, and environmental awareness.
4. Assist with student assessment and skill demonstration requirements.
5. Help create and revise teaching aids, checklists, and supplementary learning materials.
Program Coordination and Support – 20%
6. Prepare training materials, equipment, and safety gear prior to each session.
7. Conduct post-course debriefs and recommend improvements to curriculum or delivery logistics.
8. Collaborate with the Boating Safety Officer and other instructors to ensure consistency and alignment with university safety policies.
9. Coordinate with faculty, staff, and field users to help schedule and accommodate training needs.
10. Monitor participant engagement and training progress throughout each course session.
Outreach and Engagement – 10%
11. Promote water safety education and the Small Boat Program through interactions with faculty, researchers, and students.
12. Help orient new small boat users to MOTC course requirements and expectations.
13. Represent the program during public education events, water safety drills, or other university outreach efforts.
14. Contribute to building an inclusive and safety-oriented learning environment for all participants.
Records and Evaluation – 10%
15. Track course participation and training completion using standardized forms and online tools.
16. Collect informal feedback from course participants and identify areas for improvement.
17. Submit required documentation to maintain university compliance and instructor qualification standards.
18. Assist in maintaining accurate instructional logs and compliance records for audit purposes.
What You Will Need
19. Completion of the Motorboat Operator Instructor Training Course (MOITC) or equivalent.
20. Documented experience participating in the instruction of at least one MOTC or equivalent course within the past 3 years, and one within the past 5 years.
21. Demonstrated skill in teaching, training, or instructional delivery for adult learners.
22. Demonstrated experience operating small boats in a range of environments.
23. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of learners and colleagues.
24. Familiarity with the maintenance and safe operation of small boats and equipment (e.g., outboard motors, trailers).
25. Competence in using computers for communication, recordkeeping, and data entry.
26. Ability to foster an inclusive learning environment and embrace a diverse set of ideas, perspectives and backgrounds.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030. What We Would Like You to Have
27. Certification as a “Lead Instructor” or “Course Administrator” from the Scientific Boating Safety Association (SBSA) or the U.S. Department of the Interior Watercraft Safety Program.
28. Authorization to teach advanced MOTC modules (e.g., Open Water, River, or Non-Motorized Modules).
29. Experience coordinating instructional activities with multiple partners or stakeholders.
30. Demonstrated commitment to inclusive education and safety practices.
31. Experience assisting with program evaluation, training material development, or peer instructional review.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
32. Regular outdoor work in a variety of field settings including rivers, bays, and offshore marine environments.
33. Exposure to inclement weather and cold-water conditions.
34. Frequent lifting, loading, and transport of equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
35. Physical ability to assist in rescue simulations and extraction scenarios.
36. Occasional weekend work and overnight travel may be required.
37. Must be eligible to drive OSU Motor Pool vehicles, including full-size pickups with trailers.
Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Recommended Full-Time Salary Range Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience. Link to Position Description