Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a temporary relief Steward to join the Ship Operations Department.

This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for casual benefits.

Reporting to the Master; is the head of the Steward Department; In charge of the galley and assigned galley personnel. Responsible for overall operation of the mess with close attention to cost control and quality standards; is responsible for maintaining sanitary condition of all departmental spaces.

Essential Functions

• Plans nutritional menus for all persons onboard; prepares, cooks, and serves high-quality meals, including freshly baked products, three times daily, and prepares night lunches.
• Maintains sufficient inventory of all food and linen supplies for the intended duration of the voyage.
• Prepares requisitions in a timely manner for the Master's approval and insures proper stock rotation when supplies are received.
• Is responsible for maintaining sanitary condition of all departmental spaces, including mess decks, storerooms, access trunks, ladders, freezers, and refrigeration compartments.
• Supervises a cook and mess attendant.
• Explains mess deck procedures to crew and shipboard parties, understanding the space limitations and the number of people requiring service.
• Prepares reports and performs other duties as required.

Education & Experience

• Degree from an accredited culinary school and four years’ sea duty with three years as Steward or Cook; in the absence of a formal degree, equivalent work experience.
• Prefer experience as Steward on a similar vessel.
• Requires a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's credentials endorsed as a Food Handler.
• Candidates must have good personnel management and organizational skills, and proficiency in the use of computers for word-processing and inventory management.
• This person must be able to prepare a variety of quality meals under potentially adverse weather conditions and demonstrate the ability to plan ahead.
• Steward must understand the relationship of all galley functions to the overall morale of the vessel.
• All unlicensed personnel must have all applicable training as required by the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95) and have Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) and hold an unexpired Passport.
• Must hold an unexpired (STCW Expiration date) USCG med Certificate
• Must be able to pass a DOT Pre-Employment Drug Screen.

Special Requirements

All marine crew, including this position, must provide proof of COVID vaccination in order to begin your employment. The definition of “fully” vaccinated for purposes of shipboard personnel is the original double/single dose vaccination, depending on which vaccine was used (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J), plus a booster and a period of two weeks after the booster. Boosters are mandatory if 6 months has lapsed since completing 2 dose series of Pfizer or Moderna, or 2 months since 1 dose of J+J.

Physical Requirements

• All marine positions have essential functions that personnel must be able to perform, minimum physical capacities and requirements that all personnel must meet and working conditions that may be considered hazardous.

Essential Functions:

• Work at least 8 hours per day and, at times in excess of 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Work at sea for three to five months continuously.
• Live and work in cramped quarters, frequently in bad weather and with violent ship motion.
• Pass examinations for visual acuity, color sense, and hearing as established in Title 46 CFR Parts 10 and 12, and pass a physical evaluation as described in the enclosed Navigation and Vessel Inspection Articles 6-89.
• Climb steep and vertical ladders, and enter and exit compartments through hatches, doors, and sills up to two feet high.
• Participate in emergency drills and in launching lifeboats and life rafts.
• Perform physical labor, climb, and handle moderate weights and equipment over 50 pounds.