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MARINE CARGO SPECIALIST

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
840th US TRANS BATALLION

Summary

About the Position:
RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION/RETENTION INCENTIVE may be requested through management and may be authorized up to 25% of base salary per year to be paid bi-weekly for a period of service up to 2 years.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/31/2026 to 04/14/2026
Salary
$52,727 - $68,549 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - This position requires overnight travel away from the duty station approximately up to 25% of the time.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Payment of Relocation/Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
EUJU-26-12924938-MP-R7
Control number
863201700

Duties

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  • With assistance, the incumbent will participate with planning and coordinating vessel operation plans and contract specifications for loading and/or discharge of DOD-sponsored cargo through commercial or military ocean terminals.
  • Incumbent will conduct Port Site Surveys and studies.
  • Plans and executes marine cargo operations to include vessel loading and offloading and port staging for support of JCS exercises
  • Coordinates with unit movement representatives for unit deployment lists in preparation of documentation activities for the deployment and redeployment of military units.
  • Performs duties as Safety Manager or Safety Assistant specifically related to the safe conduct of terminal and vessel operations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • Must be able to satisfy the requirements of the 26JUL12 DODI 1400.25 V1230, DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Employment in Foreign Areas and Employee Return Rights. Visit http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/140025v1230.pdf.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires the incumbent to obtain an interim Secret clearance and obtain/maintain a Secret security clearance based on the duties and responsibilities identified.
  • This position is designated as an Emergency Essential (E-E) position in support of mobilization and wartime mission requirements and requires the incumbent to remain in the overseas area and perform duties until relieved by the proper authority.
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state or government driver's license.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) of business travel requirement up to 25% of the time.
  • The duties of this position may require the incumbent to work outside during all types of weather.
  • This position may require the incumbent to work overtime on a regular basis to accommodate peak workflow or respond to emergency situations, often under severe time constraints.
  • Candidates selected for this position must pass an extensive medical examination for deployment to CENTCOM area per MOD18 guidance.

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.

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Applying to OCONUS Positions
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Excepted Service Overseas Family Member Appointment
  • Family Member Preference (FMP) for Overseas Employment
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouse Preference (MSP) for Overseas Employment
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998
  • Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)



In order to qualify, you must meet the education/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.

Specialized Experience:

One year of specialized experience which includes coordinating marine cargo movements and handling the loading, stowage and unloading of cargo on ships.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

Experience must have been gained in (1) preparing preliminary cargo stowage plans, and/or (2) overseeing loading, stowage, and discharge operations to make certain that they conform to preliminary plans, or authorizing necessary changes and preparing final plans. This experience must have involved vessels of at least 5,000 dead-weight tons. It must also clearly show a comprehensive knowledge of marine rules and regulations and the ability to plan, direct, organize, and coordinate cargo handling activities; to interpret and apply policies; to investigate operations and practices and resolve problems; and to establish and maintain effective work relationships. Experience in layout planning, ship-loading, and cargo handling may have been gained during such seagoing and marine terminal assignments as service in the U.S. Navy as a cargo officer, similar service in the Merchant Marines, or employment by commercial steamship lines.

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).

Education

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/

Additional information

  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • U.S. citizens overseas under ordinarily resident status are not eligible for appointment under the Status of Forces Agreement.
  • Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area.
  • Employees who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only.
  • Pay retention may be offered to selected applicants for positions at overseas locations. Pay retention will not be offered as an incentive for employees moving between overseas positions.
  • Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250.
  • For positions in a foreign country, that country's laws or international agreements may have a direct impact on the ability of an employee's same sex domestic partner or spouse to accompany the employee and receive certain benefits. If you believe you may be affected by these laws and agreements, you should familiarize yourself with relevant information and direct questions concerning a specific country (Foreign Duty Location) to the appropriate Army Human Resources point of contact prior to the acceptance of employment and your entrance on duty.
  • This is a Transportation and Distribution Management - Career Field #24 position.
  • The initial length of this overseas tour is 12 months.
  • 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/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Shipment and Storage of Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) are NOT authorized.
  • A GOV leased vehicle is provided.
  • Off base Government quarters (fully furnished apartments) are provided.
  • You are authorized to ship 350 lbs of HHG. The rest may be placed in storage at Government's expense.
  • Recruitment/Relocation/Retention incentive may be requested through management and may be authorized up to 25% of base salary.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

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.

U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Positions will be located at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Camp Arifjan provides permanent support facilities for American troops in Kuwait, replacing temporary facilities that had been used since the Gulf War. It is a United States Army installation which accommodates elements of the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard. Military personnel from the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania and Poland are also forward deployed there. The weather can be hot and dry with extreme heat in the summer months and mild winters. Please see following link for more information regarding SDDC's mission:

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
JU-W3SYAA 840TH US ARMY TRANS BATTALION
DO NOT MAIL
APO, AE 09391
US

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https://www.sddc.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx

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