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Student Trainee (Industrial Maintenance Worker)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Operations Division, Physical Support Branch, Dredge McFarland
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Position(s) will be filled under the Department of the Army Pathways Intern Program. Click here for more information on Pathways program participation.This position is temporary. Students can go into a leave without pay status during the school year. This position cannot be made permanent.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/07/2025 to 10/24/2025
Salary
$22.68 to - $26.46 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WK 5
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Philadelphia, PA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Multiple - This position is a temporary position not to exceed 1 year with the possibility to extend up to an additional year
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CEDA-25-12812902-PI-R
Control number
847633200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

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Duties

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  • Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. At the full-performance level, you will be expected to:
  • As a Student Trainee (Industrial Maintenance Worker), you will perform selected assignments aboard a Hopper Dredge designed to provide experience in either the Deck or Engine Department operations, maintenance, and repair.
  • In the Deck Department, performs duties of the unlicensed ratings of the deckhand.
  • Observes and assist Mate on watch who is engaged in navigation, dredging, and pump out operations. Performs chipping and painting duties throughout the vessel.
  • In the Engine Department, check that machinery is working and oiled properly and perform labor work under the deck on the engines.
  • Observes and assist the Engineer on watch who is engaged in the operations, maintenance, and repair of propulsion and dredging equipment.
  • As directed, makes minor routine repairs and performs chipping and painting duties throughout the vessel.

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.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement and adhere to conditions of that agreement.
  • Incumbent required to abide by safety rules and wear protective equipment gear.
  • This position has a requirement to lift up to 40 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
  • You must be a current student that has been accepted for enrollment or are enrolled at least half-time in an accredited high school, college, professional, technical, vocational, or trade school pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.
  • Must remain in good academic standing (as defined by the institution) and provide proof upon request.
  • You will be required to reside aboard the Dredge McFarland for your tour of duty.
  • Valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) must be obtain and maintained before EOD.
  • Valid Transportation Worker's Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtain and maintained before EOD.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program
Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs completed) are not considered an academic course of study.

Internship for current students in good standing at an accredited education. For this internship, you must be able to work full-time when not attending classes (i.e. summers, fall and spring breaks, etc.)

Screen-Out: The ability to perform the work of a Student Trainee (Industrial Maintenance Worker) independently without more than normal supervision to include tasks such as: utilize simple hand tools; trace various malfunction indicators to locate source deficiencies; and/or perform routine maintenance on shipboard equipment. Failure to meet this Screen Out element will result in an ineligible rating.

To meet the basic eligibility, you must receive at least two points on the screen-out element indicated above and must have an average of two points on all the job elements listed below. Your application will be further evaluated to determine if you meet the best qualified cut-off for referral to the selecting official.

NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.


For qualification purposes, an academic year is computed as follows:

  • At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.
  • For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
  • An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
  • When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.

NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision Screen Out
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprint reading)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Knowledge of Materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Trouble Shooting


PHYSICAL EFFORT
Light to moderate physical effort is exerted in performing deck and engine department work. More strenuous effort is occasionally required.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Works inside and outside although outside work can be deferred during bad weather. Hazard of drowning exists in case of accident. Subject to cuts, bruises, dirt, and grease when making repairs. When working in engine room, subject to abnormal heat and load noise.

Education

This is a student internship opportunity. Your transcripts are a required part of your application; failure to provide transcript will result in your application being rated as incomplete. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. You must be able to work full-time when not attending classes (i.e. summers, fall and spring breaks, etc).

Education Requirements: Current enrollment or acceptance for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution seeking a degree or certificate on a full or half-time basis, as defined by the educational institution. NOTE: Attach a copy of your letter of acceptance or transcript/school documentation for verification.) Failure to do so will result in your application package being rated as incomplete.

Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at - http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

This is a student internship opportunity. Your transcripts are a required part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

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.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is Required.
  • This is a Career Program CP-17 - Material Maintenance Management position.
  • 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.
  • You may claim military spouse preference.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • You may be required to work the weekends.
  • You will be required to reside aboard the Dredge McFarland the entire time you are onboard the ship; while the dredge is operating, subsistence and quarters are provided free of charge.
  • 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.
  • Working on the Hopper Dredge McFarland: The McFarland is in a ready reserve status and operates on the Delaware River 70 days per year. The remainder of the year is spent on performing maintenance or periods at the shipyard. The ship may also be called out to perform emergency dredging along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Residence on board the dredge during the work period is a necessary condition of employment. While the dredge is operating, subsistence and quarters are provided free of charge. Transportation to and from the dredge is at the employee's expense. When the dredge is operating in the Delaware River, access to and from Philadelphia International Airport is minutes from the Ships Home Dock which is located at the Fort Mifflin Project Office. Access from major roads is also within minutes (I-95 & I-76). Parking is provided at the Fort Mifflin field office for all Crew Members.

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.Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
PLEASE NOTE: Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

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