Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Small Craft Operator

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration
This job announcement has closed

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).

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/13/2025 to 06/26/2025
Salary
$30.36 to - $35.44 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 09
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Beaumont, TX
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
Announcement number
MARAD.BRF-2025-0009
Control number
838668300

Duties

Help

The Small Craft Operator:

  • Operates diesel and/or gasoline driven watercraft, single and twin screw, from shore facility to and from ship units of the reserve fleet, carrying fleet personnel, material, and equipment, as well as contractor personnel, visitors, and Government officials at all levels.
  • Is responsibility for the safe operation of the craft, personnel, and material on board. Operates in accordance with United States Coast Guard (USCG) Inland Waterway rules, Reserve Fleet safety regulations, and proper voice radio communication procedures.
  • Is responsible for daily fueling and preventative maintenance of assigned craft, including engine spaces and voids, such as cleaning, painting, and minor repairs.
  • Is responsible for patrolling the fleet area (water areas) during working and non-working hours as assigned, warning off unauthorized personnel, detecting unauthorized vessels within the restricted area, monitors closed circuit security television screens, observes that vessels are securely moored (anchors, fenders, cables) flooding marks are visible, vessels are on an even keel, and electrical power available lights are energized.

The ideal candidate should possess the skill set and ability to operate diesel and/or gasoline driven watercraft, single and twin screw, from shore facility to and from ship units of the reserve fleet, carrying fleet personnel, material and equipment, as well as contractor personnel, visitors, and Government officials at all levels.

Requirements

Help

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:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • DRUG TEST: If selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing. Failure or refusal to take a drug test may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
  • PHYSICAL: You must submit to a hands-on physical examination by a qualified, licensed physician in accordance with standard medical practices.
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT: The employee is 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 water borne craft and pulling on heavy wire mooring cables. There is a danger of electric shock, possibility of cuts and burns, experience of discomfort in working in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes. Mental concentration is mandatory, as employee may have to operate under adverse conditions in an emergency
  • WORKING CONDITIONS: The employee is 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, the employee must stay alert, every watchful to prevent injury to personnel or damage to equipment. The employee must follow all safety rules and is required to wear safety and protective equipment attire that is provided by the fleet.
  • 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 the WG-09, your experience should include experience equal or equivalent to the following:

  • The ability to perform operator maintenance on mechanical equipment such as cleaning, greasing, and oil changes and to recognize improper operation to secure repairs or adjustments.
  • The ability to perform watercraft operations, following United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations and Inland Waterways rules.
  • The ability to recognize emergency or unsafe conditions and take timely corrective action to overcome or prevent the situation.

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

  • Ability to do the work of the position.
  • 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.

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 three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and 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: 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.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.