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.
This recruitment is for a Marine Machinery Mechanic (Drag Tender)/Able Bodied Seaman
This position requires service aboard the Class 1 Hopper Dredge McFarland which is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is home ported at the Fort Mifflin Dock in Philadelphia, PA.
Summary
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.
This recruitment is for a Marine Machinery Mechanic (Drag Tender)/Able Bodied Seaman
This position requires service aboard the Class 1 Hopper Dredge McFarland which is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is home ported at the Fort Mifflin Dock in Philadelphia, PA.
You will serve as a Marine Machinery Mechanic (Drag Tender) in the Deck Department of the Hopper Dredge McFarland, performing maintenance on the equipment and machines in the Deck Department and operational duties of the ship's drag arms.
Services, adjusts, and repairs deck machinery including anchor windless, drag winches, boat winches, hopper door latches, hopper jetting valves, dredge pump and direct pump out equipment and mooring equipment and dredge launch.
Uses mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic hand tools and various types of measuring devices (micrometers, calipers, dial indicators and tachometers) in the maintenance or repair of equipment.
Performs deck maintenance throughout the vessel such as chipping, sanding, and painting may require use of respirator.
Performs carpentry work in connection with the fabrication, fitting and installation of staging and temporary supports used for equipment repairs.
Performs work in tight quarters repairing bilges, inner bottoms, valves, and hopper doors.
Performs carpentry work in connection with the fabrication, fitting installation, and repair of wooden parts of the ship's interior fittings such as: berths, cabinets, bookcases, etc.
Operates controls for hoisting and lowering drag arms, which regulate depth at which dredging suction drag operates. Observes depth, vacuum, flow gauges and makes adjustments accordingly.
Prevents clogging of pipes, breakage due to sideways set from wind, tide, or course change. Removes obstructions from drag heads, pipes, and pumps in close
During direct pump out (DPO), operates forward and aft hydraulic powered winches, controlling cables used to secure dredge alongside mooring barge and pier.
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
Must be willing to serve a one-year probationary period, if applicable.
Position requires a pre-employment physical, then annually thereafter and / or evaluation under the District Medical Surveillance Program
Must be willing to take and pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and must be willing and able to pass random drug and alcohol tests thereafter.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Travel may be required up to 5% of the time.
Must possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC) endorsed Able Seaman limited or unlimited or higher
Must possess a valid Transportation Worker's Identification Credential (TWIC)
Must possess a valid Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)
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 Marine Machinery Mechanic (Drag Tender) without more than normal supervision. Your resume must demonstrate that you have the ability to repair and maintain marine equipment such as valves, motors and winches by using hand and power tools along with measuring devices - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Job Elements:The skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics listed below are important to succeed in the job:
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprinting reading)
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Materials
Trouble shooting
Physical Efforts: Work requires considerable standing, climbing, stooping, and bending, all which can cause exertion of the lower back and extremities. Work on ladders requires incumbent to work overhead or in a stretched, cramped, or awkward positions. May lift and carry items weighing approximately 50 pounds.
Working Conditions:Works inside or outside. Is subject to intermittent exposure to heat, cold, excessive noise, rain, and wind; falls from ladders, steps, and slippery decks in foul weather. Is exposed to eye hazards while engaged in chipping paint. Is subject to some danger of drowning in case of accident. Subject to cuts from hand or powered tools and danger from flying splinters and chips. Subject to dust, grease, and soiling of clothing and skin surfaces. Due to the age of the vessel, the nature of some work activities require the use of protective clothing and equipment (e.g. rubber boots, coveralls, goggles, aprons, gloves, respirator, etc.) as situations warrant. The use of respirator (e.g. full face, half-face canister, N95) is required while performing some work activities to minimize the risk of exposure to chemical fumes, dust, lead paint, and/or asbestos.
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 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 Material Maintenance 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.
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.
Regular tour of duty is 15 consecutive work days, followed by 13 days off.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 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.
Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.
If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your complete application includes your resume and other documents which prove your qualifications and eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your MMC, TWIC, and STCW with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: Michael.C.Hass@usace.army.mil
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Alternate applications (e.g., facsimile applications) will not be accepted.
The complete application package must be submitted to the email address provided above by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/19/2025 to receive consideration.
RD-W2SF04 US ARMY ENGINEER DIST-PHILADELPHIA
DO NOT MAIL
Philadelphia, PA 19103
US
Next steps
The evaluation will be based on the information you provide. You should expect that we will verify performance, suitability, and security information and take that information into account in making employment offers.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your complete application includes your resume and other documents which prove your qualifications and eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your MMC, TWIC, and STCW with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
Interested Applicants must submit resumes/application packages to: Michael.C.Hass@usace.army.mil
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Alternate applications (e.g., facsimile applications) will not be accepted.
The complete application package must be submitted to the email address provided above by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/19/2025 to receive consideration.
RD-W2SF04 US ARMY ENGINEER DIST-PHILADELPHIA
DO NOT MAIL
Philadelphia, PA 19103
US
Next steps
The evaluation will be based on the information you provide. You should expect that we will verify performance, suitability, and security information and take that information into account in making employment offers.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
