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

Master Towboat

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Operations Division, Revetment Branch, Motor Vessel Mississippi
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Incumbent serves as Master on the M/V Mississippi and performs a variety of work involved in the operation & management in river navigation, ability to handle vessels and tows, and familiarity with the different river navigation conditions and elements.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/19/2025 to 12/09/2025
Salary
$48.97 to - $57.09 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 17
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Memphis, TN
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
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERG-25-12837454-DHA
Control number
850425800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Stands a regular watch operating the vessel’s controls to navigate safely in various river conditions.
  • Supervises the deck crew engaged in making up and breaking up tows, general housekeeping, and various deck work.
  • Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew on both safe work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
  • Conducts fire, lifeboat and man-overboard drills.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test screening and random drug and alcohol test screenings thereafter.
  • Pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • Required to possess Master and Pilot License issued by U.S. Coast Guard. Any Gross Ton Master Western Rivers. W/Master Towing Endorsement Western Rivers.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain Radar Endorsement, any gross tons, within 36 months of employment. Failure to do so may result in termination.
  • This position requires lifting of at least 50 lbs.
  • See Additional Information Section for additional conditions of employment

Qualifications

Schedule: This position requires varying shift work. During towing season, works 2 weeks on, 1 week off. Works 12 hours per day. During Mississippi River Commission trips, incumbent may be required to work 45 days straight. During Lay-up/Maintenance season, incumbent will work a 8 day on - 6 day off (10-hour days) schedule during winter maintenance period. This position is with the US Army Engineer District, Operations Division, Revetment Section, Motor Vessel Mississippi. Duty location is wherever the Motor Vessel Mississippi is located.

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.

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 supervise as a(n) Master Towboat. Perform duties of a Master Towboat which includes work involving (1) supervisory responsibilities such as make performance appraisals, recruitment and counseling employees; (2) vessel safety, river navigation, and the technical operation and maneuvering of a towboat in the making and breaking of tows; (3) Directs the operation of smaller vessels that may be a part of the overall tow to assure safe and proper navigation. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work generally involves some physical effort with lifting up to 50 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed inside and outside subjecting the employee to varying climatic conditions. Hazards encountered include falling from pipelines, falling on slippery decks or climbing steep stairways, injury from moving machinery, and the possibility of drowning in case of accident.



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 probationary period may be required.
  • One year supervisory 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) Logistics 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.
  • Works primarily inside and occasionally outside subject to dangers of slipping overboard and drowning. Tows are subject to breaking cables in swift currents. Is exposed to other moving vessels, especially during foggy weather and at might.

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 Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

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

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.