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DECKHAND

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Water Resources Division - Debris and Survey Plant
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will NOT be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants should review the "How to Apply" section of this flyer for more information on how to be considered. This flyer will be used as positions become available. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/26/2025 to 09/04/2025
Salary
$24.04 to - $28.05 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XF 6
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
Norfolk, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERD250230878639HWF
Control number
844219400

Duties

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  • Serve as a deckhand of floating plant to include derrick boat, crane barge, patrol vessels, and survey vessels.
  • Perform lookout watches and assist the Captain of the vessel with navigation duties as prescribed in the US Coast Guard navigation rules.
  • Serve as a laborer during waterfront construction activities constructing new or renewing piers, docks, dolphins, bulkheads, and other structures.
  • Assembles rigging (cables, ropes, pulleys, winches, blocks, and sheaves according to weight and size of load to be moved) to lift and move loads (nav aids, obstructions, scientific and engineering equipment, etc.)
  • Maintains vessel inventory and develops shortage lists of necessary supplies and equipment.
  • Maintain the floating plant's machinery and metal structures to include interior and exterior of the vessel by performing routine inspections.
  • Performs maintenance on bilges, machinery, equipment, and tools
  • Assist with a variety of tasks that include removing hazards to navigation (navigation, aids, trees, vehicles, floating debris), hydrographic surveys, and other environmental and engineering missions.

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.
  • Incumbent will be required to have and maintain a valid state driver’s license prior to being hired.
  • Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) license for the operation of motorboats less than 26 feet within one year of being hired.
  • Incumbent will be enrolled in the Hearing Conservation program and must undergo pre-employment, annual and pre-termination audiograms. (Per NAOSA DFs dtd 31 May 84 and 2 Aug 84).
  • Incumbent will be required to obtain a CLASS I crane operator certification for floating crane within one year of being hired.
  • Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a current physician’s certification, dated within the past 2 years that the operator is physically qualified to operate cranes.
  • Temporary duty may be required within the state of Virginia to respond to emergencies.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
  • Incumbent will comply with safety regulations, occupational safety/ health standards and other safety directives and orders to include wearing personnel protective equipment/ respirators, hearing and fall protection, and personal flotation devices.
  • This position is covered by the Army Drug Testing Program and requires annual and random drug and alcohol testing. Incumbent is required to be screened under the Department of Army Drug-Free Workplace Program as supplemented by USACE ER 690-1-1218.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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 Element): Ability to do the work of a Deckhand without more than normal supervision.

  • Perform common hull maintenance and clean, sweep, mop decks and bulkheads, and maintain floating plant machinery and metal interior and exterior structures.
  • Prepare vessels for movement and assemble rigging to lift and move loads.
  • Safely operate various tools and equipment such as chainsaw, hammers, circular saw, jigsaw, drills, pike pole, deck crane, winch, and davits.

Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Efforts: Incumbent required to lift 50 lbs and sustain strenuous physical effort when operating a chainsaw (20 lbs); deploying and retrieving scientific and surveying equipment (50 lbs) over the side of a boat; loading and unloading supplies and equipment from other vessels, barges, and land; washing, scrubbing scraping, cleaning and painting surfaces; and handling lines. Work requires long periods of standing, lifting, climbing, and walking on a moving platform (such as a skiff or boat) and on rugged terrain.

Working Conditions: Work is performed inside and outside and is subject to extreme weather conditions to include high temperatures, high humidity, low temperatures, high winds, and heavy precipitation. Incumbent is exposed to hazards such as cuts, bruises, loud noises, burns from moving machinery, equipment and tool operations, breaking cables, falls, slippery and tilting surfaces, Hazards that are present when performing duties are from moving machinery; loud noises from equipment/tool operations; breaking cables; slippery and tilting surfaces, climbing up and down stairs and ladders, strains in lifting and pulling, eye injuries from chipping paint and rust, exposure to dust, fumes, and heat; and possibility of drowning or falling overboard. Work is performed on boats that operate in various sea conditions that cause the boat to rock back and forth and incumbent is required to continue to perform duties. Areas on vessels are confined and require climbing ladders and entering and exiting through hatches and port holes that are 15 inches in width.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
  • 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 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.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 24 - Transportation and Distribution Management 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.
  • Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If, after reviewing your rsum 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.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

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