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Pilot Trainee Towboat

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Operations Division, River Operations Branch, M/V Benyaurd
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for certain competitive positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Stands a regular watch as Pilot Trainee on a twin-screw diesel powered towboat over 100 feet in length with over 2,000 hp engaged in towing, river inspection, special trips, and channel patrol operations. Tows may consist of 25 to 30 major item of floating plant.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/24/2025 to 08/05/2025
Salary
$39.05 to - $45.61 per hour
Pay scale & grade
XH 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Vicksburg, MS
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - Extensive travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CERG258755190633HW
Control number
841526700

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Duties

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  • Steer vessel from pilot house under the supervision of the Master.
  • Keep a log of the movements of the plant during watch, and record navigation data.
  • Conduct various drills and inspect safety and navigational equipment.
  • Has complete responsibility for the safety of the towboat, vessel, its crew and cargo being towed during watch.

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.
  • Must possess a U.S. Coast Guard, Master of Steam and Motor Vessels, and 1600 Gross Ton and Master of Towing Vessels, Western Rivers License.
  • This position requires a Supervisory Probationary period.
  • This position requires a successful pre-employment physical and drug screen.
  • This position is subject to random drug screening.
  • This position requires the incumbent to work on an intermittent or unscheduled, on-call basis.
  • Successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical.
  • This position meets the criteria for random drug and alcohol testing under the Department of Army Drug-Free Workplace Program as supplemented by USACE ER 690-1-1218.
  • The duty location of this position is wherever the M/V Benyaurd is located.
  • This is a developmental position description. The target level for this assignment is XH-5784-14, PILOT, TOWBOAT. The incumbent performs assignment under closer than normal supervision.
  • Noncompetitive promotion to the target job may be affected provided the incumbent is sufficiently experienced and meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job.

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) Pilot Trainee Towboat without more than normal supervision which includes: 1) Operating a 3,000 or 4,300 hp twin screw diesel powered towboat over 130 feet in length; tow consisting of 25 to 30 major items of floating plant 2) Operating tenders in transporting personnel supplies, and equipment; making and breaking up tows, and performing channel operations 3) Conducting fire, lifeboat, man overboard drills, and safety inspections 4) Conducting preventative maintenance and inspections.-- Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Physical Effort: Work generally involves light physical effort.
  • Working Conditions: Work is performed inside the pilot house and requires little physical effort. Hazards encountered include falling on slippery decks, or climbing steep stairways, and possible drowning in case of accident.
Noncompetitive promotion to the target job may be affected provided the incumbent is sufficiently experienced and meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job.

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.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • 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) Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • 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.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
  • This position is covered by MMP Bargaining Unit.
  • All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
  • This particular announcement will be utilizing Expedited Referral Process. Your resume will not be reviewed for qualifications until a selection is made.

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.

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.

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 Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

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

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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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