Director, Inner Space Center (ISC)
University of Rhode Island
Posting Details Position Information Posting Number SF01931 Job Title Director, Inner Space Center (ISC) Position Number 109273 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union Non-Union Non-Classified Staff Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 18 Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $208,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Limited Department Information Department GSO Research Contact(s) Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu) Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Narragansett Bay Campus Grant Funded Yes Extension Contingency Notes This is a full time, calendar year position limited to 06/30/2025 with anticipated renewal. Job Description Summary The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by February 12, 2025. Applications received after February 12, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
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About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, also the Narragansett Bay Campus is close to the ocean and major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. The campus is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston and New York City.
About GSO (ISC):
The Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) is one of the world’s premier academic institutions of oceanography and ocean exploration with a reputation for leadership in discovering the secrets of the world’s oceans. The Inner Space Center (ISC) at GSO is an international hub for ocean science exploration and education. Through its advanced facilities, the Inner Space Center expands the number of scientists engaged in live expeditions and inspires the next generation of ocean explorers. It is home to some of the largest ocean science education and outreach initiatives in the country.
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BASIC FUNCTION:
Provide overall vision, direction, coordination, and management for the Inner Space Center (ISC) at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), including execution of all programs. Provide overall management of the ISC’s technical staff, equipment, facilities, and strategic vision. Support extensive research and field work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including but not limited to the US$250M Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) led by GSO. Strengthen existing relationships and leverage existing work to develop and implement a new vision and bridge opportunities with new partners and funding opportunities in research and education. Initially report to the NOAA OECI Director then transition to reporting to the URI/GSO Dean.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop a specific short- and long-term vision and business plan for the ISC, including service and revenue models and projections, and develop a plan to establish the ISC as a cost center within URI.
Supervise a team of core facility and operations personnel that is shared between sea-going operations and ISC hub operations. Operations personnel may rotate between shipboard and shore-based duty.
Liaise with university and client organizations to build new partnerships and programs including the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography/GSO, the Institute for Exploration, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program, NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and NOAA’s Office of Education.
Coordinate with current and related NOAA development projects, specifically the conversion and deployment of the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, regarding the telepresence subsystems, programmatic development, and outreach.
Coordinate with related URI administration, academic departments, building committees, architects, vendors, and contractors to support the construction of the ISC facility within the Pell Marine Science Library.
Assess current operational needs of all ISC stakeholders; measure against prior planning, and draft specific vision and plans for ISC future operations as the national state of the art facility in telepresence.
Conduct scientific research related to ocean exploration.
Oversee daily operation of the Inner Space Center.
Develop an annual proposal, coordinated with OECI affiliate partners, to maximize ISC capabilities.
Develop additional proposals, outside of OECI activities, to enhance and expand ISC support for the ocean science communities.
Develop an annual budget and oversee the use of ISC funds. Develop an annual execution plan that aligns proposals with project requirements and timelines.
Develop a vision for the ISC and implement a plan to grow the ISC.
Develop and coordinate work priorities for the ISC staff.
Be prepared to serve as the OECI Executive Director for a limited period.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform additional duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers; Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Master’s degree.
2. Minimum ten years of maritime focused work experience in positions of increasing responsibilities.
3. Demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
4. Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
5. Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and execution.
6. Demonstrated ability to navigate and provide support in a complex administrative organization.
7. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
8. Demonstrated collaboration and team building skills.
9. Demonstrated organizational skills.
10. Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
11. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
12. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Master’s degree in ocean science or related field with ten years of maritime-focused work experience, or PhD in ocean science or related field with seven years of maritime-focused work experience.
2. Demonstrated experience working at or with NOAA.
3. Demonstrated proposal writing and award management experience.
4. Demonstrated experience operating or managing Uncrewed Systems.
5. Demonstrated experience leading seagoing projects.
6. Willingness to spend up to a month at a time at sea or ship-based work.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
Environmental Conditions This position requires travel and possible time at sea. Travel is anticipated to be between 45 and 60 days a year. Posting Date 01/14/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Curriculum Vitae.
(#3) Other Document – References – the names and contact information of three professional references. (Note: this document is required even though references may be listed on the application).
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/14604 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae Other Document - References Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, also the Narragansett Bay Campus is close to the ocean and major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. The campus is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston and New York City.
About GSO (ISC):
The Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) is one of the world’s premier academic institutions of oceanography and ocean exploration with a reputation for leadership in discovering the secrets of the world’s oceans. The Inner Space Center (ISC) at GSO is an international hub for ocean science exploration and education. Through its advanced facilities, the Inner Space Center expands the number of scientists engaged in live expeditions and inspires the next generation of ocean explorers. It is home to some of the largest ocean science education and outreach initiatives in the country.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
BASIC FUNCTION:
Provide overall vision, direction, coordination, and management for the Inner Space Center (ISC) at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), including execution of all programs. Provide overall management of the ISC’s technical staff, equipment, facilities, and strategic vision. Support extensive research and field work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including but not limited to the US$250M Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) led by GSO. Strengthen existing relationships and leverage existing work to develop and implement a new vision and bridge opportunities with new partners and funding opportunities in research and education. Initially report to the NOAA OECI Director then transition to reporting to the URI/GSO Dean.
Duties and Responsibilities ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop a specific short- and long-term vision and business plan for the ISC, including service and revenue models and projections, and develop a plan to establish the ISC as a cost center within URI.
Supervise a team of core facility and operations personnel that is shared between sea-going operations and ISC hub operations. Operations personnel may rotate between shipboard and shore-based duty.
Liaise with university and client organizations to build new partnerships and programs including the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography/GSO, the Institute for Exploration, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program, NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and NOAA’s Office of Education.
Coordinate with current and related NOAA development projects, specifically the conversion and deployment of the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, regarding the telepresence subsystems, programmatic development, and outreach.
Coordinate with related URI administration, academic departments, building committees, architects, vendors, and contractors to support the construction of the ISC facility within the Pell Marine Science Library.
Assess current operational needs of all ISC stakeholders; measure against prior planning, and draft specific vision and plans for ISC future operations as the national state of the art facility in telepresence.
Conduct scientific research related to ocean exploration.
Oversee daily operation of the Inner Space Center.
Develop an annual proposal, coordinated with OECI affiliate partners, to maximize ISC capabilities.
Develop additional proposals, outside of OECI activities, to enhance and expand ISC support for the ocean science communities.
Develop an annual budget and oversee the use of ISC funds. Develop an annual execution plan that aligns proposals with project requirements and timelines.
Develop a vision for the ISC and implement a plan to grow the ISC.
Develop and coordinate work priorities for the ISC staff.
Be prepared to serve as the OECI Executive Director for a limited period.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform additional duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers; Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat.
Required Qualifications REQUIRED:
1. Master’s degree.
2. Minimum ten years of maritime focused work experience in positions of increasing responsibilities.
3. Demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
4. Demonstrated experience with project and personnel management.
5. Demonstrated experience in budget preparation and execution.
6. Demonstrated ability to navigate and provide support in a complex administrative organization.
7. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
8. Demonstrated collaboration and team building skills.
9. Demonstrated organizational skills.
10. Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
11. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
12. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED:
1. Master’s degree in ocean science or related field with ten years of maritime-focused work experience, or PhD in ocean science or related field with seven years of maritime-focused work experience.
2. Demonstrated experience working at or with NOAA.
3. Demonstrated proposal writing and award management experience.
4. Demonstrated experience operating or managing Uncrewed Systems.
5. Demonstrated experience leading seagoing projects.
6. Willingness to spend up to a month at a time at sea or ship-based work.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
Environmental Conditions This position requires travel and possible time at sea. Travel is anticipated to be between 45 and 60 days a year. Posting Date 01/14/2025 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Curriculum Vitae.
(#3) Other Document – References – the names and contact information of three professional references. (Note: this document is required even though references may be listed on the application).
Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/14604 Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae Other Document - References Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have a Master’s degree? Yes No * Do you have a minimum ten years of maritime focused work experience in positions of increasing responsibilities? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated leadership in complex organizations? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated experience with project and personnel management? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated experience in budget preparation and execution? Yes No * Do you have demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations? Yes No How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Public Job Posting Internal Job Posting Agency Referral Advertisement/Publication Personal Referral Website Other
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