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Cook Steward

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
NAVIGATION DIVISION PORTLAND, OREGON 97208
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: This position is aboard a hopper dredge. The Portland District's hopper dredges Yaquina and Essayons, work to ensure a safe "highway" for ships and other vessels. The hopper dredge is a specialized sea-going vessel designed to dredge and transport dredged material from ocean bars, fast flowing rivers and isolated harbors to open-water disposal areas.Serves as Cook-Steward in charge of the Galley Department operations on board a seagoing, automated hopper dredge.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/08/2025 to 07/25/2025
Salary
$35.80 to - $41.79 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WJ 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - This position is aboard a dredging vessel, travel on the vessel is required (during dredging season). Schedules generally run 15 days on and 13 days off, with 1 rotation of 8 days on and 6 days off in January each year.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERH258725075395
Control number
840202800

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Duties

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  • Prepare and serve meals aboard a Hopper Dredge to all Crew Members.
  • You will prepare various meats such as poultry, fish, chops, steaks, roasts.
  • You will prepare various vegetables and fruits in a variety of ways such as cutting, grinding, dicing, and slicing.
  • You will prepare foods in a variety of ways such as soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
  • You will bake bread, cakes and pastries.
  • You will maintain all areas in a clean and orderly condition.
  • Conducts personnel administration by assigning work to subordinates.
  • Counsel employees regarding conduct, leave, benefits, and performance and initiates necessary disciplinary action.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Heavy lifting, up to 45 lbs, is required from time to time.
  • You must have a current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), Steward's Department (SD), Food Handler (FH) endorsement or higher AND a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
  • You will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical examination and an annual examination thereafter.
  • This is a mandatory drug Testing Designated Position (TDP), in accordance with EP 600-1-300, USACE Drug Testing Procedures for the Army's Drug-Free Federal Workplace (DFW) Program, dated 28 Feb 01.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (SCREEN OUT) for a Cook Steward, WJ-7404-04. Qualified applicants for this position must have the ability or potential ability to take responsibility for completing an assignment. I have been viewed as an informal group leader or carried out tasks as an informal group leader such as leading a Team to complete a special project or assignment or advising coworkers with less experience when asked for guidance. I have knowledge of materials, tools and equipment used when cooking for groups of people. Failure to meet the screen out element will result in an ineligible rating.


You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc.
  • Ability To Lead or Supervise
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Food Service
  • Knowledge of Materials
  • Work Practices


WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed primarily in the galley where there is constant exposure to above average temperatures. Subject to cuts when working with power equipment, or to burns when working near the range. Subject to falls when food is spilled on deck, or when the dredge is in rough water. Incumbent is required to exert moderate to heavy physical effort storing and handling galley supplies and materials. Must possess sufficient agility to climb ladders in all sea conditions.


PHYSICAL EFFORT: Incumbent is required to exert moderate to heavy physical effort storing and handling galley supplies and materials. Must possess sufficient agility to climb ladders in all sea conditions. Lifts and carries equipment normally up to 45 pounds and occasionally over 45 pounds. Work requires prolonged standing, walking, sitting and climbing, all of which can cause exertion of the lower back. The employee must maintain good lower back physical condition. Incumbent must possess color and depth perception and be able to see by low visibility conditions in order to perform duties.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) Cook Steward Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • The following incentives may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate: Recruitment, Relocation, Advance in Hire, Student Loan Repayment, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.
  • INCLUDE REQUIRED US Coast Guard Documentation in your application package.
  • A current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) with a Master Unlimited Oceans endorsement AND a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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