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Small Craft Operator (Dual Rate)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Navigation Division, Portland OR
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
07/17/2025 to 07/25/2025
Salary
$27.72 to - $38.65 per hour

Salary Range for WK-5786-07 is $27.72 to $32.32; Salary Range for WK-5786-08 is $29.52 to $34.43; Salary Range for WK-5786-10 is $33.10 to $38.65

Pay scale & grade
WK 7 - 10
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
10
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERH250000000056
Control number
841019000

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Duties

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  • As a small Craft Operator you will:
  • Operate launches of 25 to 36 feet and work boats of 17 - 24 feet in length.
  • Use crew boat to transport personnel, supplies, equipment, machinery and other cargo between dredge and dock facilities.
  • Operate van, pickup truck, or other similar vehicles to carry crew, mail, laundry, supplies, etc to and from various shore locations in support of dredging activities.
  • Perform scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance and repair of small craft engines, davits and related gear.
  • Perform routine journey level mechanical maintenance and repair.

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 has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 76% of the time.
  • May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • You will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical and annual thereafter.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing thereafter.
  • This position requires you to obtain and maintain a current valid state driver's license.

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
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible
  • 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) Small Craft Operator (Dual Rate) without more than normal supervision. You must possess a current United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), with an 100 ton Master/ Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or higher Endorsement, Radar Endorsement, and a Lifeboat Certificate AND a current Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). You MUST UPLOAD your USCG Credentials, or you may be rated ineligible - 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
  • Maintenance of Marine Equipment
  • Ship Handling
  • Technical Competence
  • Vehicle Operation
  • Vessel Operations

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work requires moderate physical effort. Lifts and carries 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 have color and depth perception and be able to see by low visibility conditions in order to perform duties.

Working Conditions: Exposed to extremes of weather conditions, heat, and noise. There is danger of slippery decks and drowning. Must wear appropriate safety gear and protective clothing as required, and comply with sound safety practices. May be exposed to hot pipes, escaping steam and the effects of acids, solvents, and paint.

At the WK-08 and Wk-10 level this position is Dual Rated to:
IAW NPPR 690-1-530 this position is dual-rated to the position of Boatswain, Hopper Dredge. If qualified and possesses appropriate U.S. Coast Guard License/Certification, incumbent may be assigned to perform the duties of one of these positions in an intermittent, dual-rated capacity.

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.
  • 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(n) Transportation and Distribution 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.
  • 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.
  • You MUST UPLOAD your USCG Credentials, or you may be rated ineligible.
  • Management may select from any grade level.
  • Incumbent may be eligible for noncompetitive promotion to target position upon meeting the following requirements:(1) Incumbent demonstrates ability to perform at target grade level;(2) Higher level work exists at target grade level;(3) Increased responsibilities are assigned;(4) Supervisor recommends promotion;(5) Incumbent completes all required training, and conditions of employment; and(6) Incumbent completes all regulatory requirements for career ladder promotions. Consequently, promotion is not guaranteed.
  • The following incentives may be authorized to a highly qualified candidate: Recruitment, Relocation, Advanced In Hire and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.

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.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

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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