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Small Craft Operator (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration

Summary

This position is located in the Reserve Fleets, Office of Ship Operations, Office of the Deputy Associate Administrator for Federal Sealift, Office of the Associate Administrator for Strategic Sealift, Maritime Administration (MARAD).  This position is established to operate and perform general maintenance and repairs of various types of diesel driven water craft engaged in patrols, carrying personnel, supplies, and equipment to and from the various ship units of the Reserve Fleet. 

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/19/2026
Salary
$37.51 - $43.69 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 09
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Benicia, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
09
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This is a Bargaining unit position represented by the Seafarers International Union, local 2769.
Announcement number
MARAD.SBRF-2026-0002
Control number
868101100

Duties

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The Small Craft Operator:

  • Operates diesel and/or gasoline driven watercraft.
  • Exercises responsibility for the safe operation of the craft, personnel, and material on board.
  • Responsible for patrolling the fleet area (water areas) during working and non-working hours as assigned.
  • Serves as deck hand on fleet craft and barges. 

The ideal applicant for this position can operate independently, has excellent boat handing skills, innovation, alertness, quick reaction, and prompt decision-making abilities. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • PRE-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH ASSESSMENT: If selected for the position you will be required to complete a pre-employment/pre-appointment medical examination and Functional Capacity Examination. 
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: You will be required to handle heavy objects of up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, use both hands and feet in climbing up and down vertical ladders (up to 50 feet), bending, stooping, walking on slippery decks on waterborne craft and pulling on heavy wire mooring cables. There is a danger of electrical shock, possibility of cuts and burns, and experience of discomfort in working in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes. Mental concentration is mandatory, as you may have to operate under adverse conditions in an emergency.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: You will be exposed to all types of weather, e.g., rain, ice, snow, heavy winds, rough seas, fog, etc. Is exposed to wet slippery decks, installed asbestos, and excessive noise levels. Operating mostly independently, you must stay alert, every watchful to prevent injury to personnel or damage to equipment. You must follow all safety rules and is required to wear safety and protective equipment attire that is provided by the fleet.
  • DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

Qualifications for the position are based on the  training, experience, or other requirements that determine which applicants would be able to perform satisfactorily in the position to be filled.

To qualify for the WG-09, your experience should include experience equal or equivalent to the following:

  • Ability to lay out courses to assigned destinations, avoiding hazards, to determine position and estimated time of arrival.
  • Ability to recognize emergencies or unsafe conditions and take timely corrective action to overcome or prevent the situation.
  • Ability to operate independently, requiring excellent boat handing skills, innovation, alertness, quick reaction, and prompt decision-making abilities. 

Your application will also be rated on the following job elements:

  • Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. 
  • Work Practices.  
  • Ability to Interpret instructions, specifications, etc. (related to watercraft operation).
  • Ability to Drive Safely (watercrafts).    

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).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  If you do not meet the minimum levels in the ability to do the work OR if you do not meet the minimum level overall, you will be disqualified.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 


To compete with U.S. Citizens:  If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

To compete with other competitive status government employees: Federal Wage System (FWS) positions require the use of a Screen-Out Element.  Points will be based on experience and training which are documented by your responses to the questionnaire.  To be qualified, applicants must receive at least 2 points on the Screen-Out Element and an average of 2 points on all the elements in order to be considered minimally qualified for the position.  Applicants who do not receive 2 points on the Screen-Out Element will be eliminated from further consideration.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.

All applicants:  Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.


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Maritime Administration

The Maritime Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation dealing with waterborne transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety.

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation.  As such, DOT values a workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome.  If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TRANSJOBS@dot.gov
Address
DOT, MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

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