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

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration

Summary

This position is located at 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).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 06/08/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 8, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$34.31 - $40.08 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 11
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Some travel will be required.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes - American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2413, Union Number- 2770
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
MARAD.BRF-2026-0005
Control number
870723500

Duties

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The Crane Operator:

  • Operates cranes with telescoping and lattice booms to load, unload, move, and position heavy materials and equipment at various work sites.
  • Performs crane operations requiring precision setting of items with small tolerances, where expensive mechanical parts can be damaged, and works near personnel where errors can cause serious injury or death.
  • Operates cranes using all boom lengths, angles, and positions, including lifts near or at the crane’s rated capacity.
  • Makes difficult clearance judgments in challenging load situations and may coordinate tandem operations with overhead cranes in a warehouse setting.
  • Uses crane attachments such as hooks, pallet jacks, chain chasers, drag anchors, spreader bars, anchor slings, and operates diesel- powered compact articulating cranes. 

The ideal candidate should possess the skill set and ability to operate cranes with telescoping and lattice booms to
load, unload, move and position heavy material and equipment. The ideal candidate can also perform operator
maintenance on equipment operated, inspect cables for wear, and replace them as necessary.

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 may 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.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • 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: The employee makes continual control changes to maneuver the crane and load around obstructions, to stay within the lifting capacity, and to position the load at the desired location.
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: The employee works outdoors in a partially enclosed crane cab in all types of weather. They exposed to unpleasant noise, heat, and fumes produced by the engine. They are exposed to the possibility of injury caused by swinging loads or from the crane overturning. Additionally, the employee is exposed to a greater possibility of injury from overturning because they must frequently work near or at the crane's lifting capacity
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • 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 this WG-11, your experience should include experience equal or equivalent to the following:

  • The ability to ensure safety and housekeeping rules are followed, machine capacities are not exceeded, and that tools, supplies and equipment are accounted for and are properly secured at the close of each workday.
  • The ability to operate cranes at all boom lengths, angles, and positions while managing controls, making
    clearance judgments, and adjusting for changes in lifting capacity.
  • The ability to exercise intense concentration, unusual alertness, and an exceptional degree of visual and physical coordination.

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

  • Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.
  • Technical practices.
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment. 
  • Knowledge of Equipment, Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading).
  • Use of Measuring Instruments.
  • Knowledge of Materials.

·        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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