Back to jobs

Vessel Captain (PT)

Norwalk, Connecticut

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND 

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For more than 35 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium historically hosts nearly 500,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. Altogether, the Aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 54,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 60 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to volunteers who contribute over 19,000 hours annually.  

The part-time Vessel Captain carries out the safe and timely operation of The Maritime Aquarium’s (TMA) vessels. This position also serves as Mate on some voyages. Our Captains/Mates provide support to staff and passengers during onboard programs for schools, the public and other private charter groups. 

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: 

US Coast Guard MMC Master (50GRT or above) 

Red Cross Certifications in First Aid, CPR & AED (or ability to obtain promptly) 

  • Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems found in a maritime environment. Able to adapt to new technologies. 
  • Ability to lift/carry in excess of 60 lbs. of vessel gear, haul fishing and research gear, and other physical activities required to operate marine vessels. 
  • Ability to stand for long periods; enter small spaces; ascend and descend ladders/steps; perform mechanical functions while crouching, crawling, bending, etc. 
  • Ability to handle emergencies by reacting quickly and professionally. 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team on vessel maintenance and vessel improvement projects. 
  • Firm knowledge of USCG Rules of the Road and other USCG regulations. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills necessary for interacting successfully with the public, all levels of Aquarium staff and volunteers. 
  • Understanding of safety requirements aboard a vessel carrying passengers and conducting research activities with gear in the water. 
  • Ability to participate in USCG (United States Coast Guard) mandatory chemical testing as required by regulations. 
  • Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

  • Safely operates the Aquarium’s vessels which includes: the 64’foot catamaran R/V Spirit of the Sound, 46-foot Chesapeake Deadrise, and a 14-foot rigid hull inflatable boat.  
  • Safely navigate TMA vessels on inland waterways in accordance with current federal and state regulations. 
  • Ensures proper handling of mooring lines while vessels are docking and leaving dock. 
  • Ensures the safe and correct deployment and retrieval of sampling gear. 
  • Effectively communicates with educators (vessel crew) and other staff in a professional manner and in accordance with TMA mission. Provides supervision of vessel crew as needed. 
  • Supports delivery of the Aquarium’s shipboard education programs when required (e.g. retrieval of samples, interacting with passengers). 
  • Works independently an as part of a team on vessel maintenance and vessel improvement projects. 
  • Reports and documents all non-routine operations such as catching debris in nets, incidents with passengers, mechanical/electrical issues, other vessels in harbor, and weather incidents. 
  • Ensures that crew has secured lines, shore power and security locks, and completes daily ships logs. 
  • Help ensure crew compliance with relevant USCG and TMA regulations and operational guidelines. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

 

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in The Maritime Aquarium’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.