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Master Hopper Dredge

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
NAVIGATION DIVISION PORTLAND, OREGON 97208
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: This position is aboard a hopper dredge. The Portland District's hopper dredges Yaquina and Essayons, work to ensure a safe "highway" for ships and other vessels. The hopper dredge is a specialized sea-going vessel designed to dredge and transport dredged material from ocean bars, fast flowing rivers and isolated harbors to open-water disposal areas.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/26/2025 to 07/03/2025
Salary
$75.73 to - $75.73 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WJ 16
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - This position is aboard a dredging vessel, travel on the vessel is required (during dredging season). Schedules generally run 15 days on and 13 days off, with 1 rotation of 8 days on and 6 days off in January each year.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERH258724954750
Control number
839480100

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Duties

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  • Perform maintenance, operation, administration, navigation and safety of the vessel.
  • Plan, supervise and direct all operations, maintenance, navigation and safety of the vessel and crew in all departments.
  • Instruct subordinate deck officers as to the areas to be dredged, economic loading cycle to be maintained, and other such pertinent information regarding the dredging operations.
  • Ensure that work is performed and reported in accordance with the Manual of Instructions.
  • Train subordinate deck officers in current and potential aspects of their positions.
  • Maintain proper morale and discipline of the entire crew.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing thereafter.
  • You will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical and annual thereafter.
  • This position has a heavy lifting requirement up to 45lbs.
  • You MUST possess a current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) with a Master Unlimited Oceans endorsement AND a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)
  • May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • May be required to complete a one-year supervisory probationary period.

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 Civilian Employees of the Organization
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) 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


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 Hopper Dredge without more than normal supervision. be able to direct and supervise the operations of a seagoing, automated hopper dredge through subordinate supervisors and have a good working knowledge of dredging operations - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability To Lead or Supervise
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Maintenance Practices on Seagoing Vessels
  • Technical Competence
  • Vessel Operations


Physical Effort
  • Exposed to extremes of weather conditions, heat and noise. There is a danger of slippery decks and drowning, must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and comply with sound safety practices. May be exposed to hot pipes, escaping steam and the effects of acids, solvents and paint.
Working Conditions
  • Light to moderate physical effort is required for continuous standing and operation of various controls while on watch. Incumbent must have color and depth perception and be able to see in low visibility conditions in order to navigate a dredge. Work requires moderate physical effort when assisting with loading/unloading of supplies and equipment liftings and carrying equipment and supplies normally up to 45 lbs. and occasionally over 45 lbs. Work requires prolonged standing, walking and climbing, all of which can cause exertion of the lower back. The employee must maintain good lower back physical condition. Incumbent must possess color and depth perception as well as see in low visibility conditions to perform duties.

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.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • One year supervisory probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This is a Transportation Management Career Field position.
  • 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.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.
  • The following incentives may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate: Recruitment, Relocation, Advance in Hire, Student Loan Repayment, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.
  • INCLUDE REQUIRED US Coast Guard Documentation in your application package.
  • A current United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) with a Master Unlimited Oceans endorsement AND a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)
  • Merchant Mariner Credential Master Unlimited Tonnage upon oceans or higher

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. 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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.


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.

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