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Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: Ever dreamed of making the Savannah coastline your office? We're recruiting Small Craft Operators to command the most advanced fleet in Georgia. Come support commerce in the third busiest port in the nation and the #1 roll-on/roll-off port in the country. Your future begins in Savannah!

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/20/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary
$31.07 to - $36.33 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XF 10
Location
Savannah, GA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel 20% overnight 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
None
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-26-12911460-DHA
Control number
861916200

Videos

Duties

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  • Operate a variety of hydrographic survey vessels, skiffs, and work boats, ranging in size from 17 to 35 feet.
  • Maintain operational capability of assigned vessels, maintenance records, and recommends major/minor repairs.
  • Monitor weather radio for changes in weather, which could affect safe operation of the vessel.
  • Perform operational repairs and general maintenance to the Engineer Depot as directed by the Supervisor of the Engineer Depot.
  • Operator is required to maintain a constant watch for ship/boat traffic during sounding operations.
  • Drive and back the truck with boat/trailer in traffic, over highways and uneven roads and grounds, and in narrow or crowded areas.
  • Transport the survey vessel by trailer from one port to another using a government truck.

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 requires a United States Coast Guard issued Master of motor vessels of at least 100 gross tons, near coastal.
  • A valid State issued Driver's License is required.
  • Pre-placement and random Drug testing is required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a USACE small boat operator's license for boats/vessels less than 26 feet in length in accordance with ER 385-1-91 within twelve months of entry into the position.
  • Must obtain CPR and Basic First Aid certificates within twelve months of entry into the position.
  • Incumbent is required to wear protective equipment and/or clothing (e.g., PFD, hard hat, coveralls, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection) as appropriate.
  • Incumbent is required to be able to swim and to participate in a fitness for duty medical monitoring program.
  • Incumbent requires a pre-employment and annual physical.

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.

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 Small Craft Operator XF- 5786-10 without more than normal supervision. Operate vessels less than 65 feet in length, Conduct maintenance and repair of a vessel, Maneuver a vessel independently in situations with limited visibility in confined narrow channels with commercial traffic present, Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical and technical vessel issues. Skilled in Interpreting charts of local area to determine: shallows, channels, shore conformation, buoys, beacons and landmarks, Plotting positions of own and intruder vessels, Interpreting tide tables, interpolating for depth correction to charted depths in order to calculate when it is safe to cross shallows and when to avoid them, Evaluating weather and sea conditions and determining if it is appropriate to use modified procedures, which are to be used in case of bad weather.- Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

PHYSICAL EFFORT
: Incumbent may carry/lift equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Assistance may be obtained from other employees on heavier items. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work. Employee may be required to stand for prolonged periods and climb narrow, steep stairways and ladders.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Works inside, outside, and aboard moving vessels in all types of weather. Subject to water traffic hazards and danger of injury and drowning by falling overboard in collisions. Physical effort is involved in operating controls and guiding and maneuvering vessels in close proximity to structures and other vessels. Subject to injury and falls from ladders and scaffolds, cuts and bruises from band or power tools, and danger from flying splinters and chips. Operators are exposed to the possibility of falling overboard, thus a life jacket shall be available at all times while underway.

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) Career Program (CP) 17 - Material Maintenance Management Career Field position.
  • 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.htm for more information.
  • A relocation incentive may be authorized, if found to be in Government Best Interest by the Organization.

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.

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

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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