Commandant, Texas Maritime Academy

Job Title

Commandant, Texas Maritime Academy

Agency

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Department

Student Affairs

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Galveston, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

A Glimpse of the Job

The Commandant of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy serves as a key leader responsible for guiding and developing the next generation of maritime professionals. This position requires a distinguished combination of leadership, maritime expertise, and administrative proficiency. The Commandant must exemplify integrity, sound judgement, and decisiveness while inspiring excellence and professionalism within the Maritime Academy. Success in this role demands exceptional character, effective communication, and the ability to lead with empathy, vision, and purpose. Their character and competencies are foundational to the success of the academy and its graduates.

Essential Duties/Tasks:

• Operational Leadership - Provides leadership and supervision for all aspects of Office of the Commandant. Defines responsibilities for and supervises cadet leadership. Provides mentorship and guidance to the cadet leadership and individual cadets and midshipmen through daily participation in University and Academy programs. Maintains a positive working environment and relationships with other units on campus. Responsible for the fiduciary oversight of budgets and operations of their area of responsibility in accordance with published processes, policies, rules, and law. Serves as the liaison with the master of the training ship and academic department heads to ensure that administration of cadet activities is congruent with operations and academic needs. Serves as a member of the TAMMA senior operations team. Transports cadets using University vehicles on University business, including in ports-of-call.  Also uses a University golf cart to manage various activities on campus as a routine part of the job. 

• Cadet Training and Sea Terms - Participates in assigned sea terms onboard the training ships operated by or assigned to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Coordinates with the master of the training ship and academic department heads in developing sea term activities, including coordinating shipboard life and shore side activities during sea terms such as: leave and liberty privileges, recreational and cultural development activities, and unit scheduling that supports the watch standing, maintenance, and class schedules. Develops, coordinates, and implements the new cadet orientations, screening and leadership retreats, parents' briefings, and other special activities as needed, which includes the admissions and orientation initiatives associated with Orientation Week (O-Week) for approximately 120 - 200 incoming freshmen & transfer cadets.

• Corps Leadership Development - Coordinates with the Office of Student Affairs and supervises the Assistant Commandants to develop an integrated leadership program, coordinate leadership initiatives and monitor educational and training requirements. Responsible for the development, dissemination, and implementation of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy Corps Manuals in accordance with the University student rules, policies and procedures. Responsible for evaluating and providing recommendations on cadet classifications, promotions, and awards, which includes updating all documentation and systems as needed. Supports berthing assignments and student success initiatives, such as Hullabaloo U and Z-Opt Periods.

• Corps Conduct Program and Other - The Commandant and the Office of Student Affairs work as a team to provide leadership and supervision for the Corps conduct program. Coordinates, develops, directs, and evaluates the effectiveness of the Corps conduct process in accordance with the University’s core values. Holds Corps Leadership responsible for the enforcement of Corps discipline. Oversees the chemical testing requirements of cadets. Ensures all necessary chemical testing requirements are met and documentation is maintained. Provides randomly conducted chemical screening throughout the school year and on the sea terms to meet the Code of Federal Regulations per the US Coast Guard in conjunction with other personnel. Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ten years in leadership development program or related experience. Extensive experience in the maritime industry of a related military background is essential.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Must be able to obtain a TSA Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC). Must apply for and obtain a US Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC). TAMMA will fund the application processes for the successful applicant. Must have a State of Texas class “C” vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree

• Fifteen years sea-going experience as a licensed officer on Merchant or Military vessel, or the equivalent experience.  Military Rank of Commissioned Officer O-3 or above. 

• Operational-level US Coast Guard-issued STCW endorsement and a national endorsement as 3rd Mate or 3rd Engineer or other military service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills.

• Ability to interact with and lead college-age women and men and a wide variety of individuals within and from outside the Academy and University.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to assist in the revision and maintenance of documented conduct rules and procedures.

• Must have working computer skills including knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

• Have thorough knowledge of shipboard operations and safety regulations

• Oversee the professional training, discipline, and well-being of the entire regiment of cadets

• Develop and implement leadership and ethical curricula

• Serve as a key member of the academy’s senior leadership team

• Act as a liaison between the academy, parents, and the maritime industry

Other Requirements and Factors:

• This position is security sensitive

• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures

• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements

• Must be able to pass USCG Physical and maintain a drug-free lifestyle subject to random tests. Must be able to successfully function aboard a ship for required time and wear a military uniform. Must have ability to respond to emergencies as directed. 

Who we are

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.