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SMALL CRAFT OPERATOR

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
DETROIT OPERATIONS DIVISION OPERATIONS PROGRAMS BRANCH
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Works under general supervision of the Chief of St Marys River Section at the Soo Project Office, receiving minimal oral or written instructions outlining missions for up to 36-ft. survey vessels in the Project Office's fleet of survey boats.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/30/2025 to 10/15/2025
Salary
$42.59 to - $52.43 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 7 - 9
Location
001 vacancies in the following location:
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You MAY qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CEDB-25-12809147-MP
Control number
847115800

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Duties

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  • Responsible for the safety of the crew and passengers and for the safe operation and navigation of up to 1,200 HP twin outboard drive, 36-ft. survey boat primarily in open water of the upper Great Lakes and connecting channels.
  • Navigates both rivers and harbors, as well as offshore, often with no marked locations or visual reference points as work can be over 26 miles from shore.
  • Responsible for the protection of the boat, its equipment, and other property against hazardous weather, theft, abuse; for the enforcement of safety regulations for boat, crew and passengers.
  • Applies skill and experience to maneuver survey vessels within restrictive areas inside port berths and near bulkheads and docks, inside tight channels and basins, around rock jetties and training walls.
  • Acts as an integral member of the UAS team, developing, planning, and executing flights within the safety of USACE and FAA regulations.
  • Supports data collection and equipment placement with the survey party chief for routine and emergency dam safety, as well as lock and dam maintenance activities.
  • Arranges for fueling of the vessel in a variety of methods as needed to maintain readiness to perform the mission.
  • Coordinates maintenance/repair work and requisition of supplies and materials necessary to maintain the boat.

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.
  • This position is covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R "Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified as Critical under the Drug Abuse Testing Program".
  • This position requires a pre-employment physical exam due to the physical requirements of the position.
  • XH-07 Level: Obtain, within 1 year, and maintain small motorboat certification per USACE Small Boat Training Program requirements.
  • XH-07 Level: This position requires a valid State motor vehicle operator's license prior to appointment. (attach copy)
  • XH-07 Level: Must have the ability to obtain State of Michigan Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tank, hazardous materials, and interstate medical endorsements. Must obtain, within 1 year, and maintain, valid State Class A CDL.
  • XH-08 Level: Must obtain, within 4-years, and maintain, a USCG Merchant Mariners Credential with endorsement of Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels as Defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (42)(B) Upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters.
  • XH-08 Level: Must possess and maintain a valid State of Michigan Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Must obtain tank, hazardous materials, and interstate medical CDL endorsements within 1 year.
  • XH-08 and XH-09 Level: Must possess and maintain small motorboat certification per USACE Small Boat Training Program requirements. (attach copy)
  • XH-09 Level: Must possess and maintain a valid State of Michigan Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tank, hazardous materials, and interstate medical CDL endorsements. (attach copy)
  • Please see Additional Information Section for continued Conditions of Employment at the XH-09 Level.

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.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • 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
  • 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.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) SMALL CRAFT OPERATOR without more than normal supervision.

XH-09 Level: I have the ability to perform common tasks to include the operation, maintenance, repair of vessels during survey missions. I can interpret navigational charts and channel survey maps to identify navigation channels, to avoid conflicts while performing surveys and other missions. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

XH-08 Level: I have the ability to perform common tasks to include the operation and navigation of vessels on and offshore, performing routine preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to engines, generators, air compressors, lubrication, cooling, air induction, fuel and engine starting systems. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

XH-07 Level: I have the ability to perform common tasks to include the operation, navigation, and maintenance of vessels on and offshore. I can make minor engine repairs and maintenance. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation)
  • Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles)
  • Ability to Work with Others
  • Knowledge of Specific Equipment, Machinery, Structure, or Components That Are Involved
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: The incumbent occasionally lifts and carries parts and equipment weighing over50 pounds. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work. Coordination of hands, eyes, body and legs is needed to work safely on wet and moving decks especially when anchored in exposed locations during storms. Employee is required to sit for long periods of time in a confined area while operating the boats. Extreme mental concentration and moderate physical effort is required to maintain the vessel "on-line" when surveying and at the same time being alert to all other factors and conditions present. Incumbent is constantly exposed to noise, vibrations, and varying degrees of physical jolting depending on the sea and wave activity.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is evenly split between indoors and outdoors, with routine work done outside where there is danger of slipping and falling overboard. Survey work is performed in all types of weather to include heavy rain, dense fog, sleet, and snow. There is exposure to traffic hazards, especially during foggy weather and at night. When making repairs and performing maintenance, is exposed to scalds, chemical bums, electrical shocks, bums, falls, and other possible injuries due to working around moving machinery and in cramped quarters in extreme heat or cold conditions at times. Incumbent is exposed periodically to a variety of fuels, oils lubricants, soaps, solvents, and chemicals. Incumbent must occasionally wear protective gear as the particular situation requires such as coveralls, rubber boots, gloves, steel-toed boots, goggles, earmuffs, etc. Work also requires use of fall protection and/or prevention methods working from heights of up to 60 feet.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Continued Conditions of Employment for the XH-09 Level: Must obtain, within 1-year, and maintain, a USCG Merchant Mariners Credential with endorsement of Master of self-propelled vessels not including sail or auxiliary sail of less than 50 gross register tons (GRT) upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters and Radar Observer (Unlimited).
  • 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.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This is a(n) 24 Career Field position.
  • 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.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Incentives:
  • The following special programs/incentives may be offered if it is in the best interest of the government:
    • Advanced in-hire (offered to new to federal service employees only)
    • Advanced Leave Accrual (offered to new to federal service employees only)
    • Permanent Change of Station entitlement (PCS)
    • Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

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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