Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

First Assistant Engineer

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

Summary

About the Position: Under the guidance of the Chief Engineer onboard vessels 65 feet and over and up to 4000 horsepower, is responsible for the safe operation of all engineering systems. Fills in as Chief Engineer as needed. May be required to travel for dry dock periods. Subject to 24 hour recall.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/08/2025 to 10/13/2025
Salary
$43.62 to - $50.88 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Jersey City, NJ
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 10% for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
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
CEDA-26-12801008-MP
Control number
847663600

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Corrects any conditions detrimental to the safety of individuals, property, or equipment in accordance with safety and health procedures and/or regulations.
  • Performs repair and maintenance tasks in compliance with oral and/or written instructions.
  • Determines the proper functioning of machinery through observing gauges such as pressure gauges, vacuum gauges, fuel oil gauges, tachometers, and pyrometers.
  • Ensures vessel equipment and systems are maintained in accordance with applicable maintenance plan, work instructions and technical manuals.
  • Interprets readings from gauges to troubleshoot operating errors.
  • Performs periodic lubrication, using proper grades of oil, grease and synthetic lubricants as required by manufacturer's specifications.
  • Advises oilers and wipers about the use of proper materials.
  • Monitors machinery reactions during operation to determine need for new materials.
  • Ensures safe operation of vessel machinery, pumps, winches, lights, and heating plant.
  • Oversees work of unlicensed personnel and contractors in the engine room.
  • Interprets readings displayed on temperature gauges and pressure indicators.
  • Reviews measurements taken by oilers while standing watch.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires the possession of a current, valid USCG Merchant Mariner Credential Designated Duty Engineer of Vessels of Less Than 500 Gross Tons/4000HP/3,000kW.
  • This position requires the possession of a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination to ensure the required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 10%% of the time.
  • In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.

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
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • 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) First Assistant Engineer without more than normal supervision. The ability to perform maintenance aboard a diesel propelled vessel (65 feet and over) having a rating of up to 4,000 horsepower and traveling on up to near coastal routes. Skilled in operating diesel propelling engines, generator engines, and other auxiliary power engines and the machinery, pumps, winches, lights, heating plant, hydraulic systems they power; and maintaining cleanliness in engine and auxiliary generator rooms, inspecting, cleaning, and painting bilges, machinery, bulkheads, and overheads. - 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 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)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments
  • Physical Effort: Accomplishment of work requires standing, bending, squatting, stooping, pushing, and pulling, lifting, carrying objects of various weights, sizes and shapes.
  • Working Conditions: Works in an engine room and on deck when vessel is at the dock or underway. Uses government issued safety equipment such as hearing protecting, safety shoes, work gloves, eye protection and personal floatation devices is required. Work inside and below deck in engine rooms can be under abnormal temperatures and unusual and loud noises. Danger of injury from burns, moving machinery, electrical shocks, fire, oxygen deficient environments, fumes, slips, trips and falls.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

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) Installation Management 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.

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. 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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.