Ocean Mooring Student Technical Assistant

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Oregon State University’s CEOAS invites applications for an Ocean Mooring Student Technical Assistant (part-time, up to 24 hours/week) to join a team of oceanographers and technicians. You will assemble and test mooring hardware and instruments used in remote observing platforms.

The role supports mooring maintenance and field operations with hands-on mechanical/electrical work; evenings and weekends may be required based on field schedules. Corvallis, OR location.

Qualifications

• Enrolled undergraduate in oceanography or related science/engineering.
• Academic standing must be in good form; suspensions disqualify.
• Enrollment of 12 credit hours per term; international students may have exceptions.
• Preferred: oceanography student with hands-on research or fieldwork experience.
• Experience on boats or with mechanical/electrical devices is a plus.

Responsibilities

• 45% Technical assembly of moorings, instruments and interfaces with engineers and scientists.
• 45% Disassembly and refurbishment of mooring systems and data hardware.
• 10% Assist in mobilizing for oceanographic field operations.

Skills

STEM student

Research experience

Employment experience

Boating experience

Mechanical/electrical repair

Education

Undergraduate STEM student

Job description

Department: CEOAS

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill three part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Ocean Mooring Student Technical Assistant for the CEOAS at Oregon State University (OSU). These positions will work with a team of oceanographers and technicians to assemble and test oceanographic platforms and instruments used in the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).

Position Duties

• 45% Technical implementation of mooring assembly, science instrumentation and interfaces: Work collaboratively with Ocean Observing scientists and engineers to assemble, test, and integrate mechanical, electrical, and data systems that will be used in remote observing platforms.
• 45% Technical implementation of mooring disassembly and refurbishment: Work collaboratively with Ocean Observing scientists and engineers to disassemble and refurbish mechanical,electrical, and data systems that will be used in remote observing platforms.
• 10% Assist in mobilizing for oceanographic field operations.

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

• Teamwork
• Technology
• Professionalism

Qualifications

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a university and pursuing a program or course of study in oceanography or in a field of science/engineering in which one learns similar skills as one does for oceanography
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard Undergraduate: 12 credit hours per term Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term* *International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate STEM student

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate oceanography student.
• Experience doing research.
• Prior employment experience.
• Experience on boats (work or recreation).
• Experience building or fixing mechanical/electrical devices.

Working Conditions/Schedule

• Work will take place at the Ocean Observing Center in south Corvallis.
• Almost all time will be spent on their feet doing hands-on work.
• Student employees will be expected to work between 10 and 20 hours a week.

Salary Range

Anticipated Start Date: 2026-11-01

Anticipated End Date:

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 comprehensive benefits package 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 care 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 Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. At Oregon State University, no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University. If requested, OSU will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application to receive an accommodation. Please request any reasonable accommodations for disability as early as possible in the application and search process. Requests may be directed to the hiring unit, or to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. See Request an Accommodation Procedures for the OSU policy. Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including Title IX and its regulations, does not unlawfully discriminate and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including in academic admissions and employment. The university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin (including ancestry and ethnicity), citizenship, marital or family status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status / service in the uniformed service, or any other status protected by law or OSU policy. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (link to https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr), or both. OSU’s Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA). For information on OSU’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures, including how to report information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, contact EOA by phone: [phone], email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu. Know Your Rights Oregon Family Leave Act: Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act: