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Small Craft Operator

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Voyageurs National Park
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The small craft operator (boat captain) will operate sightseeing trips ranging from 20 to 70 miles (round trip). These are runs on large open surface lake areas with wind fetching up to 15 miles. The boat operator must use engine power and rudder controls to maneuver the boot close to the dock nod then secure anchor lines. These operations can be hazardous and take great skill to accomplish in a safe and professional manner.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/02/2020 to 05/07/2021
Salary
$27.95 to - $32.63 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
International Falls, MN
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - 1039 Hours; The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is May - Oct, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2021
Work schedule
Intermittent
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MW-1542-VOYA-21-10973625-OC
Control number
585411800

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Duties

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25- ton: Serve as a boat captain in command of a 29-foot sightseeing vessel powered by a 225-hp outboard motor used to transport up to 22 paying passengers on the park interpretive trips and charters on Kabetogama, Namakan, Rainy, and Sand Point Lakes. Have full responsibilities for instructing and directing deck hands in safe operations during docking, passenger loading, navigation, and boat underway procedures. Perform daily checks, cleaning, and minor maintenance on vessel, outboard motor, and on board safety equipment. Report maintenance and repair needs in a timely way to the park's Chief of Interpretation.

50-ton: Serve as a boat captain in command of a 59-foot sightseeing vessel powered by a two Cummins 610-hp engines used to transport up to 49 paying passengers on the park interpretive trips and charters on Rainy Lake. Have full responsibilities for instructing and directing deck hands in safe operations during docking, passenger loading, navigation, and boat underway procedures. Perform daily checks, cleaning, and minor maintenance on vessel, outboard motor, and on board safety equipment. Report maintenance and repair needs in a timely way to the park's Chief of Interpretation.

Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications will be considered throughout the open period of the announcement. **INITIAL CUT OFF IS Thursday, December 10th, 2020** Referral certificates will be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Incidental Driving: You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
  • Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Work Schedule: This position has an intermittent work schedule; you will be subject to call and will have no pre-scheduled or guaranteed work schedule; full time; part time; overtime; holidays; weekends; and/or evening work may be required. Incumbent must be able to report within 3 hours of being called.
  • Coast Guard Master License: Possess and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard Limited Master License for a master of motor vessels.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
  • Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
  • Operation of Motor Vehicles
  • Reliability and Dependability as a Small Craft Operator
  • Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)



SCREEN OUT: Ability to do the work of a Small Craft Operator WG-5786-10 without more than normal supervision including operation of small mechanically propelled crafts to transport passengers. Operating small craft (25 to 63 foot, single or twin screw) to transport personnel and supplies; navigated in a variety of water conditions including low or high water in the presence of floating debris, submerged or topographical features, under extreme weather conditions including high winds, snow and heavy rain in both daylight and non-daylight hours. Transporting and securing cargo and passengers, and loading/unloading materials at shorelines without docking or landing facilities' have troubleshot mechanical problems within the engine room or on the rudder system, once underway. Anchoring a vessel to hold an exact position for sightseeing activity or in an emergency situation. Determined the need and extent of major vessel repairs and developed a cyclic maintenance program; prepared detailed technical specifications for contract repair and alterations during dry-docking. independently determined load limits, weight distribution of loads and safe methods for transporting a variety of types of loads. Lift and carry objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

SCREEN OUT:Possess prior to applying and maintain during employment: 1) A U.S. Coast Guard Limited Master License for a master of motor vessels of at least 50 gross registered tons upon the waters of Northern Minnesota, their connecting and tributary waters between and including Northwest Angle Inlet and the Pigeon River; 2) The selectee must be able to maintain the license and credentials prior to applying and during employment, 3) All above mentioned qualifications must be valid through 2020.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: Standing, stooping, bending, kneeling and climbing ramps and cramped ladders are involved. Work is often done standing for long periods and is subject to constant motion from movement of vessel, particularly in rough seas. Movement of the arms in controlling the wheel in rough seas is tiring. Lifting, carrying, and storing cargo is involved. Items weighing over ten pounds are lifted frequently, and cargo weighing over one hundred pounds is often handled (winch assistance available in many instances).

Working Conditions: Incumbent will be inside during most vessel operations, but will be exposed to standing for long periods while underway. During winter operations, exposed to occasional harsh winds and extremes of wind chill factors during winter operations. When working in the engine room on repairs or adjustments, exposed to hot, cramped quarters. Noise and vibration on vessel's decks and bridge when underway are constant. Noise in engine room when engine is running is loud. Hazardous conditions can occur when decks are pitching during high seas, or when they are wet with ice or rain.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

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