About the Position: As a Master, Tender (Dual Rate) you will serve as the operator of a diesel-powered towboat in the Maintenance Section. Incumbent will support combined land and floating plant units engaged in the construction an maintenance of shore protection and channel control work in the Mississippi Valley Division.
Incumbent will serve as a dual-rated employee to the position of Master, Towboat, XH-5784-13, on an as needed basis as determined by management.
Summary
About the Position: As a Master, Tender (Dual Rate) you will serve as the operator of a diesel-powered towboat in the Maintenance Section. Incumbent will support combined land and floating plant units engaged in the construction an maintenance of shore protection and channel control work in the Mississippi Valley Division.
Incumbent will serve as a dual-rated employee to the position of Master, Towboat, XH-5784-13, on an as needed basis as determined by management.
Operate and oversee the operation of a single or twin-screw pusher-type towboat.
Support combined land and floating plant units engaged mainly in the maintenance and repair of lock and dam structures.
Tow barges and other floating plants up to and including 1500 tons on both short and long range tows, shift/move/spot plants on location, and transport personnel/supplies/equipment.
Pilot the boat and controls the operation of engines by means of pilot house controls.
Exercise care for the safe operation of the boat and have working knowledge of the river, navigation aids, and currents in order to successfully pilot boat, either light or with tow, by day or night.
Oversee and direct subordinate personnel in their operations and activities. Make assignments, resolve problems, and train personnel to maintain a safe and efficient organization.
Maintain boat and engines in operating condition. Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on the equipment operated.
This is dual rated to the position of Master, Towboat, XH-5784-13. If qualified, during the absence of the Towboat Master you may be assigned to perform the duties of Towboat and Tender Master in a dual rated capacity.
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
A pre-appointment physical examination is required.
This position requires annual physicals.
Must comply with Drug Abuse Testing Program requirements.
Must possess and maintain a valid stateside driver's license.
Position requires employees to wear and use protective clothing and equipment.
Normally stand a regular 10-hour watch but are on call at all times.
When serving aboard towboats, may be required to quarter and subsist aboard the vessels when other lodging and food facilities are not readily or conveniently available.
Must possess and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard Mate/Pilot License. Must possess a Master of Towing Vessels upon Western River Merchant Mariners License and maintain the license.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens
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.
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(n) Master, Tender (Dual Rate)~ without more than normal supervision. To meet the screen out element applicants should document experience and/or show the ability to; operate a towboat to maneuver floating plant on short and long range tows to move and position plant units engaged in maintenance and repair activities and assist in making repairs to machinery and equipment. I work under close supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
Operation of Motor Vehicles
Reliability and Dependability as a Towboat Operator
Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
Physical Effort: Exerts continual effort in pushing, pulling, and depressing the various levers and controls required for boat operation. Is subject to strain caused by vibrations plus the jerking and jolting motions of the vessel. Occasionally, may be required to lift and carry items or material weighing in excess of 50 pounds, with assistance.
Working Conditions: During boat operation, is normally within the confines of a pilot house which protects from the elements and can be heated. Is exposed to traffic hazards, especially during inclement weather or decreased visibility. When making repairs to the boat, is exposed to injuries resulting from working around moving machinery and in cramped quarters. When working on deck or operating heavy equipment, is exposed to all weather conditions typical of the area. At times, is exposed to unpleasant heat, fumes, and noise associated with large engines. Is exposed to injuries associated with boat operating and decking, working around heavy equipment, etc., such as equipment overturn, falling into hazardous water, etc., for which prescribed safety gear and practices such as hard hat, life preserves, etc., are required. Employees are required to observe established safe working procedures. Appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment is provided to minimize or eliminate hazardous conditions, and its use is mandatory.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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.
This position requires a 1 year probationary periodduring which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
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) Transportation and Distribution Management 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.
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.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/27/2026 to receive consideration
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13013295).
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
RG-W2R905 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-ROCK ISLAND
DO NOT MAIL
Rock Island, IL 61204
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1. Your resume:
Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/27/2026 to receive consideration
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13013295).
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
RG-W2R905 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-ROCK ISLAND
DO NOT MAIL
Rock Island, IL 61204
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
